Any individual or entity may submit a request to the OIG for an advisory opinion regarding an existing arrangement or one which the requestor in good faith specifically plans to undertake. The requestor must be a party to the arrangement, or proposed arrangement, that is the subject of the request.

(a) The OIG will consider requests from a requesting party for advisory opinions regarding the application of specific facts to the subject matters set forth in § 1008.5(a) of this part. The facts must relate to an existing arrangement, or one which the requestor in good faith plans to undertake. The plans may be contingent upon receiving a favorable advisory opinion. The advisory opinion request should contain a complete description of the arrangement that the requestor is undertaking, or plans to undertake.

(b) Requests presenting a general question of interpretation, posing a hypothetical situation, or regarding the activities of third parties do not qualify as advisory opinion requests.

(c) An advisory opinion request will not be accepted, and/or an opinion will not be issued when—

(1) The request is not related to a named individual or entity; or

(2) An informed opinion cannot be made, or could be made only after extensive investigation, clinical study, testing, or collateral inquiry.

(a) The OIG may establish and maintain a set of questions corresponding to the categories of opinion subject matter as set forth in § 1008.5(a) of this part as appropriate. The questions will be designed to elicit specific information relevant to the advisory opinion being sought; however, answering the questions is voluntary.

(b) Questions the OIG suggests that the requestor address may be obtained from the OIG. Requests should be made in writing, specify the subject matter, and be sent to the headquarter offices of the OIG.

(c) When submitting a request for an advisory opinion, a requestor may answer the questions corresponding to the subject matter for which the opinion is requested. The extent to which any of the questions is not fully answered may effect the content of the advisory opinion.