Which of the following is NOT a function of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in Medicare compliance?

• A. Overseeing program integrity
• B. Conducting audits and investigations
• C. Issuing advisory opinions
• D. Approving physician licensure

Answer: (D)

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) acts as a watchdog for HHS programs like Medicare, focusing on preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse. Its work includes overseeing program integrity, conducting audits and investigations, and issuing advisory opinions to clarify how laws and fraud protections apply to potential arrangements.

Approving physician licensure is outside the OIG’s role. Licensure decisions are made by state medical boards or other credentialing bodies, not by OIG. Therefore, the option describing licensure approval is not a function of the OIG, making it the correct choice for what is not a function.