What is a potential benefit of self-disclosure to the OIG?

• A. It could guarantee no penalties.
• B. It requires no documentation.
• C. It minimizes the cost and disruption of a full-scale investigation.
• D. It delays the investigation.

Answer: (C)

Self-disclosing issues to the OIG shows cooperation and a willingness to address problems promptly. The main benefit is that early disclosure can reduce the time, cost, and disruption typically associated with a full-scale investigation. By demonstrating a proactive stance and readiness to remediate, the organization can often reach a faster resolution through corrective actions and a possible settlement, rather than enduring a lengthy inquiry. It’s important to note that cooperation does not guarantee no penalties, and it still requires proper documentation; it also doesn’t delay the process—in practice, it can shorten and streamline the path to resolution.