(a) All contracting organizations. The OIG may impose a penalty against any contracting organization that—

(1) Fails substantially to provide an enrollee with medically necessary items and services that are required (under the Act, applicable regulations, or contract with the Department or a State) to be provided to such enrollee and the failure adversely affects (or has the substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) the enrollee;

(2) Imposes a premium on an enrollee in excess of the amounts permitted under the Act;

(3) Engages in any practice that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of denying or discouraging enrollment by beneficiaries whose medical condition or history indicates a need for substantial future medical services, except as permitted by the Act;

(4) Misrepresents or falsifies information furnished to a person under sections 1857, 1860D-12, 1876, or 1903(m) of the Act;

(5) Misrepresents or falsifies information furnished to the Secretary or a State, as applicable, under sections 1857, 1860D-12, 1876, or 1903(m) of the Act;

(6) Fails to comply with the requirements of 42 CFR 417.479(d) through (i) for Medicare and 42 CFR 417.479(d) through (g) and (i) for Medicaid regarding certain prohibited incentive payments to physicians; or

(7) Fails to comply with applicable requirements of the Act regarding prompt payment of claims.

(b) All Medicare contracting organizations. The OIG may impose a penalty against any contracting organization with a contract under section 1857, 1860D-12, or 1876 of the Act that—

(1) Acts to expel or to refuse to reenroll a beneficiary in violation of the Act; or

(2) Employs or contracts with a person excluded, under section 1128 or 1128A of the Act, from participation in Medicare for the provision of health care, utilization review, medical social work, or administrative services, or employs or contracts with any entity for the provision of such services (directly or indirectly) through an excluded person.

(c) Medicare Advantage and Part D contracting organizations. The OIG may impose a penalty, and for §1003.400(c)(4) or (5), an assessment, against a contracting organization with a contract under section 1857 or 1860D-12 of the Act that:

(1) Enrolls an individual without the individual's (or his or her designee's) prior consent, except as provided under subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 1860D-1(b)(1) of the Act;

(2) Transfers an enrollee from one plan to another without the individual's (or his or her designee's) prior consent;

(3) Transfers an enrollee solely for the purpose of earning a commission;

(4) Fails to comply with marketing restrictions described in subsection (h) or (j) of section 1851 of the Act or applicable implementing regulations or guidance; or

(5) Employs or contracts with any person who engages in the conduct described in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

(d) Medicare Advantage contracting organizations. The OIG may impose a penalty against a contracting organization with a contract under section 1857 of the Act that fails to comply with the requirements of section 1852(j)(3) or 1852(k)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act.

(e) Medicaid contracting organizations. The OIG may impose a penalty against any contracting organization with a contract under section 1903(m) of the Act that acts to discriminate among individuals in violation of the Act, including expulsion or refusal to reenroll an individual or engaging in any practice that would reasonably be expected to have the effect of denying or discouraging enrollment by eligible individuals with the contracting organization whose medical condition or history indicates a need for substantial future medical services.


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