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About Reinstatements

Reinstatement of an excluded individual or entity is not automatic once the specified period of exclusion ends.

In order to participate in the Medicare, Medicaid and all Federal health care programs once the term of exclusion ends, the individual or entity must apply for reinstatement and receive written notice from HHS-OIG that reinstatement has been granted.

Obtaining a provider number from a Medicare contractor, a State health care program or a Federal health care program does not reinstate an individual's or entity's eligibility to participate in those programs.

When to apply for reinstatement

If there is a defined period of exclusion (e.g., 5 years, 10 years, etc.), you may begin the process of reinstatement 90 days before the end of the period specified in the exclusion notice letter.

  • Requests received earlier than 90 days before the end of the period of exclusion will not be considered.
  • Additional information regarding the reinstatement process is available at 42 C.F.R. 1001.3001-3005.

For individuals or entity excluded under Section 1128(b)(4) of the Social Security Act

  • If the exclusion period is indefinite, you may apply for reinstatement when they have regained the license referenced in the exclusion notice.
  • Under some conditions you may apply for early reinstatement without regaining the license referenced in the exclusion notice if you have obtained (1) a different health care license in the same state or (2) any health care license in a different state.
  • Reinstatement may be available if you do not have a valid health care license of any kind in any state and have been excluded for a minimum period of 3 years, following the OIG's consideration of all the factors specified in the regulations.
  • Early reinstatement is not available if your license was revoked, suspended, or otherwise lost or surrendered for reasons relating to patient abuse or neglect. Additional information regarding the requirements for early reinstatement is available at 42 C.F.R. 1001.501(c).

Applying for Reinstatement

To apply for reinstatement, an excluded individual or entity must send a written request which contains the individual's or entity's full name (if excluded under a different name, please also include that name), date of birth for an individual, telephone number, email address and mailing address. The request can be emailed or sent via standard mail to our office. The email address and mailing address are below.

Email: reinstatements@oig.hhs.gov

Mailing Address:
HHS, OIG, OI
Attn: Exclusions Branch
P.O. Box 23871
Washington, DC 20026