Guide
What Is the OIG LEIE List?
By Keelstar Team · Updated July 11, 2026
The short answer
The LEIE — List of Excluded Individuals and Entities — is the federal register of parties excluded from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other HHS-funded programs. OIG maintains it under authority of sections 1128 and 1156 of the Social Security Act. Exclusions result from convictions, licensing actions, program-related fraud, and other conduct OIG determines warrants barring federal healthcare program participation. Appearing on the LEIE means a party cannot furnish items or services billed to federal programs, and providers who employ or contract with excluded parties face civil monetary penalties. Screening the LEIE before engagement and on a recurring schedule is a baseline compliance obligation for U.S. healthcare organizations.
What the LEIE is and who maintains it
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General publishes and maintains the LEIE. It lists individuals and entities OIG has excluded from participation in federal healthcare programs. The list is public, updated regularly, and searchable online or via downloadable file.
Why parties are excluded
Exclusions follow convictions for program-related crimes, patient abuse, licensing board actions, default on health education loans, and other grounds defined in statute and regulation. OIG can exclude providers who pose a risk to beneficiaries or program integrity. The LEIE is not a criminal database — it is an administrative bar on federal healthcare program participation.
- Medicare or Medicaid fraud convictions
- Patient abuse or neglect
- Licensing revocations or suspensions
- Controlled substance violations
- Default on federal health education loans
What exclusion means in practice
An excluded party cannot furnish items or services payable by federal healthcare programs. That includes direct patient care, billing services, administrative work tied to claims, and subcontracted services performed on your behalf. Your organization cannot employ or contract with an excluded party for work connected to federal program funds without triggering significant penalty exposure.
LEIE vs. other screening lists
The LEIE is specific to HHS healthcare program exclusions. It does not cover OFAC sanctions, SAM debarments, or state Medicaid exclusions. A comprehensive healthcare compliance program screens multiple lists because a party can appear on one and not others. See also guidance on combined OIG, SAM, and OFAC screening requirements.
Who must screen against the LEIE
Medicare and Medicaid providers, managed care organizations, hospitals, physician groups, home health agencies, and any entity receiving or administering federal healthcare funds should screen employees, contractors, vendors, and subcontractors against the LEIE. Payer credentialing agreements and CMS conditions of participation reinforce this obligation.
Frequently asked questions
- What does LEIE stand for?
- LEIE stands for List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. It is maintained by the HHS Office of Inspector General and is the primary federal healthcare exclusion list.
- Is the LEIE the same as a state Medicaid exclusion list?
- No. State Medicaid programs maintain separate exclusion lists. A party can appear on a state list but not the LEIE, or vice versa. Healthcare providers typically screen both.
- How long does an OIG exclusion last?
- Mandatory minimum exclusion periods apply for certain offenses — often five years for many convictions. Some exclusions are permanent. Reinstatement requires applying to OIG after the exclusion term ends.
- Does LEIE cover non-healthcare businesses?
- The LEIE covers exclusions from HHS-funded programs, which is primarily healthcare. However, any vendor or contractor your organization pays to perform services tied to Medicare or Medicaid billing should be screened.
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Put this into a monitored workflow
Exclusion Monitor handles this continuously — with reminders and an audit trail.