Which of the following is NOT a possible sanction imposed by the Office of the Inspector General for noncompliance with Medicare rules?

The correct answer identifies an option that is inconsistent with the actions the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) can take in cases of noncompliance with Medicare regulations. The OIG’s role is to protect the integrity of the Medicare program, which includes ensuring that providers who are noncompliant or have committed fraud do not continue receiving payments.

Suspension of a provider’s Medicare privileges, imposition of financial penalties, and exclusion from the Medicare program are all sanctions that the OIG can impose to reinforce compliance and protect Medicare resources. Such measures are designed to discourage fraudulent activities and ensure that only compliant providers participate in the Medicare program.

In contrast, continuing payment to a provider who has been excluded from the Medicare program contradicts the enforcement mechanisms in place. If a provider is found to be noncompliant and subsequently excluded, they should not receive any payments from Medicare. Allowing continued payment would undermine the purpose of exclusion, which is to prevent misconduct and protect the integrity of Medicare. This clarifies why option C is not a possible sanction imposed by the OIG.