CVS Caremark Corporate Integrity Agreement With DOJ and HHS OIG
CVS Caremark Corporate Integrity Agreement With DOJ and HHS OIG
CVS Caremark Corporate Integrity Agreement With DOJ and HHS OIG
BETWEEN THE
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
AND
CVS CAREMARK CORPORATION
I. PREAMBLE
CVS Caremark Corporation (CVS Caremark) hereby enters into this Corporate
Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United
States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promote compliance with the
statutes, regulations, and written directives of Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal
health care programs (as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(f)) (Federal health care
program requirements). The terms of this CIA shall be applicable to CVS Caremark’s
retail pharmacy subsidiary, CVS Pharmacy, Inc., and any division of any of CVS’s
subsidiaries or affiliates that conduct mail order pharmacy operations (collectively,
“CVS”). Contemporaneously with this CIA, CVS Caremark is entering into a Settlement
Agreement with the United States.
A. The period of the compliance obligations assumed by CVS under this CIA
shall be five years from the effective date of this CIA, unless otherwise specified. The
effective date shall be the date on which the final signatory of this CIA executes this CIA
(Effective Date). Each one-year period, beginning with the one-year period following the
Effective Date, shall be referred to as a “Reporting Period.”
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B. Sections VII, VIII, IX, X, and XI shall expire no later than 120 days after
OIG’s receipt of: (1) CVS’s final annual report; or (2) any additional materials submitted
by CVS pursuant to OIG’s request, whichever is later.
Notwithstanding the above, this term does not include part-time or per diem
employees, contractors, subcontractors, agents, and other persons who are not reasonably
expected to work more than 160 hours per year, except that any such individuals shall
become “Covered Persons” at the point when they work more than 160 hours during the
calendar year.
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III. CORPORATE INTEGRITY OBLIGATIONS
CVS has established and shall maintain a Compliance Program that includes the
following elements:
CVS agrees to maintain the position of Compliance Officer during the term of this
CIA. CVS shall report to OIG, in writing, any changes in the identity or position
description of the Compliance Officer, or any actions or changes that would affect the
Compliance Officer’s ability to perform the duties necessary to meet the obligations in
this CIA, within 15 days of such a change.
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CVS shall report to OIG, in writing, any changes in the composition of the
Compliance Committee, or any actions or changes that would affect the Compliance
Committee’s ability to perform the duties necessary to meet the obligations in this CIA,
within 15 days after such a change.
B. Written Standards.
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c. the requirement that all of CVS’s Covered Persons shall be
expected to report to the Compliance Officer or other appropriate
individual designated by CVS suspected violations of any Federal
health care program requirements or of CVS’s own Policies and
Procedures;
Each Covered Person has certified, in writing or electronically, that he or she has
received, read, understood, and shall abide by CVS’s Code of Conduct. New Covered
Persons shall receive the Code of Conduct and shall complete the required certification
within 30 days after becoming a Covered Person or within 120 days after the Effective
Date, whichever is later.
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a. the subjects relating to the Code of Conduct identified in Section
III.B.1;
Within 120 days after the Effective Date, the relevant portions of the Policies and
Procedures shall be made available to all Covered Persons whose job functions relate to
those Policies and Procedures. Distribution may include publishing such Policies and
Procedures on CVS’s intranet or other internal website available to all Covered Persons.
If CVS uses such an electronic method of distribution, it must notify the Covered Persons
that the Policies and Procedures will be distributed in such a manner and it must track the
distribution to ensure that all appropriate Covered Persons received the Policies and
Procedures. Appropriate and knowledgeable staff shall be available to explain the
Policies and Procedures.
At least annually (and more frequently, if appropriate), CVS shall assess and
update as necessary the Policies and Procedures. Within 30 days after the effective date
of any revisions, the relevant portions of any such revised Policies and Procedures shall
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be made available to all individuals whose job functions relate to those Policies and
Procedures.
1. General Training. Within 150 days after the Effective Date, CVS shall
provide at least one hour of General Training to each Covered Person. This training, at a
minimum, shall explain CVS’s:
New Covered Persons shall receive the General Training described above within
30 days after becoming a Covered Person or within 150 days after the Effective Date,
whichever is later. After receiving the initial General Training described above, each
Covered Person shall receive at least one hour of General Training annually.
2. Specific Training. Within 120 days after the Effective Date, each
Relevant Covered Person shall receive at least two hours of Specific Training. This
Specific Training shall include a discussion of:
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New Relevant Covered Persons shall receive this training within 30 days after the
beginning of their employment or becoming Relevant Covered Persons. After receiving
the initial Specific Training described in this Section, each Relevant Covered Person shall
receive at least one hour of Specific Training annually.
5. Update of Training. CVS shall annually review the training, and, where
appropriate, update the training to reflect changes in Federal health care program
requirements, any issues discovered during internal audits or the Government
Reimbursement Review, and any other relevant information.
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D. Review Procedures.
1. General Description.
c. Retention of Records. The IRO and CVS shall retain and make
available to OIG, upon request, all work papers, supporting
documentation, correspondence, and draft reports (those exchanged
between the IRO and CVS) related to the reviews.
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IRO’s selection is unacceptable, the IRO shall review the state it recommended. The state
selected pursuant to this process for each Reporting Period shall be referred to herein as
the “Selected State.”
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Interchange Programs based on avoiding the MAC or FUL programs, improperly
increasing aggregate reimbursement from the Medicaid Program, or otherwise violating
any requirements of the Selected State’s Medicaid Program.
4. Validation Review. In the event OIG has reason to believe that: (a)
CVS’s Government Reimbursement Review fails to conform to the requirements of this
CIA; or (b) the IRO’s findings or Government Reimbursement Review results are
inaccurate, OIG may, at its sole discretion, conduct its own review to determine whether
the Government Reimbursement Review complied with the requirements of this CIA
and/or the findings or Government Reimbursement Review results are inaccurate
(Validation Review). CVS shall pay for the reasonable cost of any such review
performed by OIG or any of its designated agents. Any Validation Review of Reports
submitted as part of CVS’s final Annual Report must be initiated no later than one year
after CVS’s final submission (as described in Section II) is received by OIG.
Prior to initiating a Validation Review, OIG shall notify CVS of its intent to
do so and provide a written explanation of why OIG believes such a review is necessary.
To resolve any concerns raised by OIG, CVS may request a meeting with OIG to: (a)
discuss the results of any Government Reimbursement Review submissions or findings;
(b) present any additional information to clarify the results of the Government
Reimbursement Review or to correct the inaccuracy of the Government Reimbursement
Review; and/or (c) propose alternatives to the proposed Validation Review. CVS agrees
to provide any additional information as may be requested by OIG under this Section in
an expedited manner. OIG will attempt in good faith to resolve any Government
Reimbursement Review issues with CVS prior to conducting a Validation Review.
However, the final determination as to whether or not to proceed with a Validation
Review shall be made at the sole discretion of OIG.
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to the Government reimbursement Review and that it has concluded that it is, in fact,
independent and objective.
E. Disclosure Program.
Prior to the Effective Date of this CIA, CVS established a Disclosure Program that
includes a mechanism (e.g., a toll-free compliance telephone line) to enable individuals to
disclose, to the Compliance Officer or some other person who is not in the disclosing
individual’s chain of command, any identified issues or questions associated with CVS’s
policies, conduct, practices, or procedures with respect to a Federal health care program
believed by the individual to be a potential violation of criminal, civil, or administrative
law. CVS shall continue to appropriately publicize the existence of the disclosure
mechanism (e.g., via periodic e-mails to employees, posting on CVS’s intranet or other
internal website available to all Covered Persons, or by posting the information in
prominent common areas).
The Compliance Officer (or designee) shall maintain a disclosure log, which shall
include a record and summary of each disclosure received (whether anonymous or not),
the status of the respective internal reviews, and any corrective action taken in response to
the internal reviews. The disclosure log shall be made available to OIG upon request.
F. Ineligible Persons.
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a. an “Ineligible Person” shall include any individual or entity who:
2. Screening Requirements. CVS shall ensure that all Screened Persons are
not Ineligible Persons, by implementing the following screening requirements.
a. CVS shall screen all Screened Persons against the Exclusion Lists
prior to hiring them or engaging their services and, as part of the
hiring or contracting process, shall require such persons to disclose
whether they are an Ineligible Person.
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b. CVS shall screen all Screened Persons against the Exclusion Lists
within 120 days after the Effective Date and on an annual basis
thereafter.
Nothing in this Section affects the responsibility of (or liability for) CVS to
refrain from billing Federal health care programs for items or services furnished, ordered,
or prescribed by an Ineligible Person.
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G. Notification of Government Investigation or Legal Proceedings.
Within 30 days after discovery, CVS shall notify OIG, in writing, of any ongoing
investigation or legal proceeding known to CVS conducted or brought by a governmental
entity or its agents involving an allegation that CVS has committed a crime or has
engaged in fraudulent activities. This notification shall include a description of the
allegation, the identity of the investigating or prosecuting agency, and the status of such
investigation or legal proceeding. CVS shall also provide written notice to OIG within 30
days after the resolution of the matter, and shall provide OIG with a description of the
findings and/or results of the investigation or proceedings, if any.
H. Reporting.
1. Overpayments.
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pursuant to policies and procedures established by the payor should
be handled in accordance with such policies and procedures.
2. Reportable Events.
i. a substantial Overpayment; or
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ii. a complete description of the Reportable Event, including
the relevant facts, persons involved, and legal and Federal
health care program authorities implicated;
In the event that, after the Effective Date, CVS changes the location of its
corporate headquarters or sells or purchases a business location related to the furnishing
of items or services that may be reimbursed by Federal health care programs, CVS shall
notify OIG of this fact within 60 days after the date of change of location, sale, or
purchase. This notification shall include the address of the new business unit or location,
phone number, fax number, Medicare Provider number, provider identification number
and/or supplier number, and the corresponding contractor’s name and address that has
issued each Medicare number. Each newly established and purchased business unit or
location shall be subject to all the requirements of this CIA.
A. Implementation Report. Within 150 days after the Effective Date, CVS shall
submit a written report to OIG summarizing the status of its implementation of the
requirements of this CIA (Implementation Report). The Implementation Report shall, at a
minimum, include:
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3. a copy of CVS’s Code of Conduct required by Section III.B.1;
A copy of all training materials and the documentation supporting this information shall
be available to OIG, upon request.
8. the following information regarding the IRO(s): (a) identity, address, and
phone number; (b) a copy of the engagement letter; and (c) a summary and description of
any and all current and prior engagements and agreements between CVS and the IRO;
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12. the name, title, and responsibilities of any person who is determined to
be an Ineligible Person under Section III.F; the actions taken in response to the screening
and removal obligations set forth in Section III.F; and the actions taken to identify,
quantify, and repay any overpayments to Federal health care programs relating to items or
services furnished, ordered or prescribed by an Ineligible Person;
13. a list of all states in which CVS does business, and the number of
CVS’s locations in each state; any names other than CVS under which any of CVS’s
locations are doing business; and the name and address of each Medicare contractor to
which CVS currently submits claims;
B. Annual Reports. CVS shall submit to OIG annually a report with respect to the
status of, and findings regarding, CVS’s compliance activities for each of the five
Reporting Periods (Annual Report).
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a. a description of such training, including a summary of the topics
covered, the length of sessions and a schedule of training sessions;
A copy of all training materials and the documentation supporting this information shall
be available to OIG, upon request.
6. CVS’s response and corrective action plan(s) related to any issues raised
by the reports prepared pursuant to Section III.D;
7. summary and description of any and all current and prior engagements
and agreements between CVS and the IRO, if different from what was submitted as part
of the Implementation Report;
10. a report of the aggregate Overpayments that have been returned to the
Federal health care programs. Overpayment amounts shall be broken down into the
following categories, if applicable: Medicare, Medicaid (report each applicable state
separately, if applicable), and other Federal health care programs. Overpayment amounts
that are routinely reconciled or adjusted pursuant to policies and procedures established
by the payor do not need to be included in this aggregate Overpayment report;
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12. any changes to the process by which CVS fulfills the requirements of
Section III.F regarding Ineligible Persons;
13. the name, title, and responsibilities of any person who is determined to
be an Ineligible Person under Section III.F; the actions taken by CVS in response to the
screening and removal obligations set forth in Section III.F; and the actions taken to
identify, quantify, and repay any overpayments to Federal health care programs relating
to items or services furnished, ordered or prescribed by an Ineligible Person;
The first Annual Report shall be received by OIG no later than 60 days after the
end of the first Reporting Period. Subsequent Annual Reports shall be received by OIG
no later than the anniversary date of the due date of the first Annual Report.
2. he or she has reviewed the Report and has made reasonable inquiry
regarding its content and believes that the information in the Report is accurate and
truthful; and
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3. to the best of his or her knowledge, CVS has complied with its
obligations under the Settlement Agreement: (a) not to resubmit to any Federal health
care program payors any previously denied claims related to the Covered Conduct
addressed in the Settlement Agreement, and not to appeal any such denials of claims; (b)
not to charge to or otherwise seek payment from federal or state payors for unallowable
costs (as defined in the Settlement Agreement); and (c) to identify and adjust any past
charges or claims for unallowable costs;
Unless otherwise stated in writing after the Effective Date, all notifications and
reports required under this CIA shall be submitted to the following entities:
OIG:
Administrative and Civil Remedies Branch
Office of Counsel to the Inspector General
Office of Inspector General
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Cohen Building, Room 5527
330 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Telephone: 202-619-2078
Facsimile: 202-205-0604
CVS:
Diane Nobles
Compliance Officer
CVS Caremark Corporation
2211 Sanders Road
10th Floor
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Northbrook, IL 60062
Telephone: 847-559-4714
Facsimile: 847-559-4953
Unless otherwise specified, all notifications and reports required by this CIA may
be made by certified mail, overnight mail, hand delivery, or other means, provided that
there is proof that such notification was received. For purposes of this requirement,
internal facsimile confirmation sheets do not constitute proof of receipt.
In addition to any other rights OIG may have by statute, regulation, or contract,
OIG or its duly authorized representative(s) may examine or request copies of CVS’s
books, records, and other documents and supporting materials and/or conduct on-site
reviews of any of CVS’s locations for the purpose of verifying and evaluating: (a) CVS’s
compliance with the terms of this CIA; and (b) CVS’s compliance with the requirements
of the Federal health care programs in which it participates. The documentation
described above shall be made available by CVS to OIG or its duly authorized
representative(s) at all reasonable times for inspection, audit, or reproduction.
Furthermore, for purposes of this provision, OIG or its duly authorized representative(s)
may interview any of CVS’s employees, contractors, or agents who consent to be
interviewed at the individual’s place of business during normal business hours or at such
other place and time as may be mutually agreed upon between the individual and OIG.
CVS shall assist OIG or its duly authorized representative(s) in contacting and arranging
interviews with such individuals upon OIG’s request. CVS’s employees may elect to be
interviewed with or without a representative of CVS present.
CVS shall maintain for inspection all documents and records relating to
reimbursement from the Federal health care programs, or to compliance with this CIA,
for six years (or longer if otherwise required by law) from the Effective Date.
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IX. DISCLOSURES
Consistent with HHS’s FOIA procedures, set forth in 45 C.F.R. Part 5, OIG shall
make a reasonable effort to notify CVS prior to any release by OIG of information
submitted by CVS pursuant to its obligations under this CIA and identified upon
submission by CVS as trade secrets, or information that is commercial or financial and
privileged or confidential, under the FOIA rules. With respect to such releases, CVS
shall have the rights set forth at 45 C.F.R. § 5.65(d).
CVS is expected to fully and timely comply with all of its CIA obligations.
a. a Compliance Officer;
b. a Compliance Committee;
f. a Disclosure Program;
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h. Notification of Government investigations or legal proceedings.
5. A Stipulated Penalty of $1,500 for each day CVS fails to grant access to
the information or documentation as required in Section VII. (This Stipulated Penalty
shall begin to accrue on the date CVS fails to grant access.)
7. A Stipulated Penalty of $1,000 for each day CVS fails to comply fully
and adequately with any obligation of this CIA. OIG shall provide notice to CVS, stating
the specific grounds for its determination that CVS has failed to comply fully and
adequately with the CIA obligation(s) at issue and steps CVS shall take to comply with
this CIA. (This Stipulated Penalty shall begin to accrue ten (10) days after CVS receives
this notice from OIG of the failure to comply.) A Stipulated Penalty as described in this
Subsection shall not be demanded for any violation for which OIG has sought a
Stipulated Penalty under Subsections 1-6 of this Section.
B. Timely Written Requests for Extensions. CVS may, in advance of the due
date, submit a timely written request for an extension of time to perform any act or file
any notification or report required by this CIA. Notwithstanding any other provision in
this Section, if OIG grants the timely written request with respect to an act, notification,
CVS Caremark Corporate Integrity Agreement
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or report, Stipulated Penalties for failure to perform the act or file the notification or
report shall not begin to accrue until one day after CVS fails to meet the revised deadline
set by OIG. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section, if OIG denies such a
timely written request, Stipulated Penalties for failure to perform the act or file the
notification or report shall not begin to accrue until three business days after CVS
receives OIG’s written denial of such request or the original due date, whichever is later.
A “timely written request” is defined as a request in writing received by OIG at least five
business days prior to the date by which any act is due to be performed or any notification
or report is due to be filed.
1. Demand Letter. Upon a finding that CVS has failed to comply with any
of the obligations described in Section X.A and after determining that Stipulated Penalties
are appropriate, OIG shall notify CVS of: (a) CVS’s failure to comply; and (b) OIG’s
exercise of its contractual right to demand payment of the Stipulated Penalties (this
notification is referred to as the “Demand Letter”).
2. Response to Demand Letter. Within ten days after the receipt of the
Demand Letter, CVS shall either: (a) cure the breach to OIG’s satisfaction and pay the
applicable Stipulated Penalties; or (b) request a hearing before an HHS administrative law
judge (ALJ) to dispute OIG’s determination of noncompliance, pursuant to the agreed
upon provisions set forth below in Section X.E. In the event CVS elects to request an
ALJ hearing, the Stipulated Penalties shall continue to accrue until CVS cures, to OIG’s
satisfaction, the alleged breach in dispute. Failure to respond to the Demand Letter in one
of these two manners within the allowed time period shall be considered a material breach
of this CIA and shall be grounds for exclusion under Section X.D.
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D. Exclusion for Material Breach of this CIA.
2. Notice of Material Breach and Intent to Exclude. The parties agree that
a material breach of this CIA by CVS constitutes an independent basis for CVS’s
exclusion from participation in the Federal health care programs. Upon a determination
by OIG that CVS has materially breached this CIA and that exclusion is the appropriate
remedy, OIG shall notify CVS of: (a) CVS’s material breach and OIG’s specific grounds
for its determination that CVS has materially breached this CIA; and (b) OIG’s intent to
exercise its contractual right to impose exclusion (this notification is hereinafter referred
to as the “Notice of Material Breach and Intent to Exclude”).
3. Opportunity to Cure. CVS shall have 30 days from the date of receipt of
the Notice of Material Breach and Intent to Exclude to demonstrate to OIG’s satisfaction
that:
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c. the alleged material breach cannot be cured within the 30-day
period, but that: (i) CVS has begun to take action to cure the
material breach; (ii) CVS is pursuing such action with due diligence;
and (iii) CVS has provided to OIG a reasonable timetable for curing
the material breach.
4. Exclusion Letter. If, at the conclusion of the 30-day period, CVS fails to
satisfy the requirements of Section X.D.3, OIG may exclude CVS from participation in
the Federal health care programs. OIG shall notify CVS in writing of its determination to
exclude CVS (this letter shall be referred to hereinafter as the “Exclusion Letter”).
Subject to the Dispute Resolution provisions in Section X.E, below, the exclusion shall go
into effect 30 days after the date of CVS’s receipt of the Exclusion Letter. The exclusion
shall have national effect and shall also apply to all other Federal procurement and
nonprocurement programs. Reinstatement to program participation is not automatic.
After the end of the period of exclusion, CVS may apply for reinstatement by submitting
a written request for reinstatement in accordance with the provisions at 42 C.F.R.
§§ 1001.3001-.3004.
E. Dispute Resolution
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payment; and (b) the period of noncompliance. CVS shall have the burden of proving its
full and timely compliance and the steps taken to cure the noncompliance, if any. OIG
shall not have the right to appeal to the DAB an adverse ALJ decision related to
Stipulated Penalties. If the ALJ agrees with OIG with regard to a finding of a breach of
this CIA and orders CVS to pay Stipulated Penalties, such Stipulated Penalties shall
become due and payable 20 days after the ALJ issues such a decision unless CVS
requests review of the ALJ decision by the DAB. If the ALJ decision is properly
appealed to the DAB and the DAB upholds the determination of OIG, the Stipulated
Penalties shall become due and payable 20 days after the DAB issues its decision.
c. whether the alleged material breach could not have been cured
within the 30-day period, but that: (i) CVS had begun to take action
to cure the material breach within that period; (ii) CVS has pursued
and is pursuing such action with due diligence; and (iii) CVS
provided to OIG within that period a reasonable timetable for curing
the material breach and CVS has followed the timetable.
For purposes of the exclusion herein, exclusion shall take effect only after
an ALJ decision favorable to OIG, or, if the ALJ rules for CVS, only after a DAB
decision in favor of OIG. CVS’s election of its contractual right to appeal to the DAB
shall not abrogate OIG’s authority to exclude CVS upon the issuance of an ALJ’s
decision in favor of OIG. If the ALJ sustains the determination of OIG and determines
that exclusion is authorized, such exclusion shall take effect 20 days after the ALJ issues
such a decision, notwithstanding that CVS may request review of the ALJ decision by the
DAB. If the DAB finds in favor of OIG after an ALJ decision adverse to OIG, the
exclusion shall take effect 20 days after the DAB decision. CVS shall waive its right to
any notice of such an exclusion if a decision upholding the exclusion is rendered by the
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ALJ or DAB. If the DAB finds in favor of CVS, CVS shall be reinstated effective on the
date of the original exclusion.
A. This CIA shall be binding on the successors, assigns, and transferees of CVS.
If CVS sells a business unit or location, OIG may release the business unit or location
from its obligations under the CIA provided that CVS has demonstrated to OIG’s
satisfaction that (1) such transaction constituted solely a disposition of assets of such
business unit or location; (2) the buyer is an independent entity unrelated in any manner
to CVS and has acquired the business unit or location at fair market value in an arms
length transaction; (3) the Federal health care program provider numbers have not
transferred to the successor entity; and (4) the business unit or location will not be
operated in whole or in part by CVS. If a business unit or location is no longer to be
considered subject to the CIA due to a sale, CVS shall require as a condition of the sale
that the buyer represents and agrees that it has or shall implement and maintain with
respect to its operation of the business unit or location an effective program to prevent
and detect violations of the legal requirements applicable to the delivery of goods and
services in connection with any health care benefits and that such a program will comply
with the provisions of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines relating to corporate compliance
programs and will be mindful of any applicable guidance issued by OIG or other
components of HHS; and that the buyer agrees that it will maintain such program for at
least three years from the date of the sale or until the end of the term of this CIA,
whichever period is longer.
B. This CIA shall become final and binding on the date the final signature is
obtained on this CIA;
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C. Any modifications to this CIA shall be made with the prior written consent of
the parties to this CIA;
D. OIG may agree to a suspension of CVS’s obligations under this CIA in the
event of CVS’s cessation of participation in Federal health care programs. If CVS
withdraws from participation in Federal health care programs and is relieved of its CIA
obligations by OIG, CVS shall notify OIG at least 30 days in advance of CVS’s intent to
reapply as a participating provider or supplier with any Federal health care program.
Upon receipt of such notification, OIG shall evaluate whether this CIA should be
reactivated or modified.
E. The undersigned CVS signatories represent and warrant that they are
authorized to execute this CIA. The undersigned OIG signatory represents that he is
signing this CIA in his official capacity and that he is authorized to execute this CIA.
F. This CIA may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Facsimile
of signatures shall constitute acceptable binding signatures for purposes of this CIA.
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ON BEHALF OF CVS CAREMARK CORPORATION
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ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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