Which of the following is NOT considered a possible sanction by the OIG?

The option regarding the exemplary service award is accurate as it does not represent a possible sanction from the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG is primarily concerned with compliance, enforcement, and ensuring that healthcare providers adhere to legal and ethical standards. Sanctions imposed by the OIG typically include financial penalties like fines, corrective action measures such as probation, and other enforcement actions like forfeiture of funds or assets connected to compliance violations.

An exemplary service award, on the other hand, is a recognition of outstanding performance or contribution, which is completely unrelated to the compliance enforcement actions taken by the OIG. The core purpose of the OIG’s sanctioning authority is to address misconduct and non-compliance within healthcare organizations, rather than to reward or recognize good behavior. This distinction is essential for understanding the scope and function of the OIG's role in healthcare compliance.