Potential matches and false positives
Why most name matches are not the same person, how a tool should help you tell, and what a good review step records.
A name match is a question, not an answer
Many people share a name, and lists spell names in different ways. Most name-only matches turn out to be someone else once identifiers are compared. A tool that calls every name match a hit creates work and alarm; one that matches too narrowly can miss a real entry.
What a good review step shows
Each potential match should show your record and the list entry side by side, with the identifiers each holds, such as NPI, date of birth, license number and address. For the LEIE, OIG’s online search can confirm a match against a Social Security or employer identification number you already hold.
The reviewer’s decision, and the reason for it, should be recorded with a date, and a name already ruled out should not come back as new next month unless the list entry changes.
- Which identifiers do you compare beyond the name?
- What does a reviewer see for each potential match?
- Is a match we ruled out remembered, and when does it come back?
- How do you handle names written in different orders or with suffixes?
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