Final answer:
The OIG does not sue facilities for malpractice; this action is within the jurisdiction of the judicial system. Instead, the OIG's scope includes excluding individuals from Medicare and Medicaid, managing integrity agreements, and imposing civil penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The activities within the Office of Inspector General's (OIG) scope in healthcare include:
- Excluding individuals from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs
- Negotiating and monitoring corporate integrity agreements
- Assessing civil monetary penalties
However, the OIG does not engage in the activity of suing facilities for malpractice. Malpractice lawsuits are legal actions taken by patients or their representatives against healthcare providers for professional negligence or failure to provide proper care resulting in harm. This falls under the jurisdiction of the judicial system and private attorneys rather than within the scope of the OIG. The OIG's focus is primarily on protecting the integrity of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs and the health and welfare of beneficiaries by combating fraud, waste, and abuse.
Understanding this scope of the OIG's legal activities is essential in appreciating the mechanisms of healthcare law and its function in the context of Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the broader implications under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare).