42 C.F.R. § 402.115 – Collection of penalty or assessment.

(a) Once a determination by HHS has become final, CMS is responsible for the collection of any penalty or assessment.
(b) The General Counsel may compromise a penalty or assessment imposed under this part, after consultation with CMS or OIG, and the Federal government may recover the penalty or assessment in a civil action brought in the United States district court for the district where the claim was presented or where the respondent resides.
(c) The United States or a State agency may deduct the amount of a penalty and assessment when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, from any sum then or later owing to the respondent.
(d) Matters that were raised or that could have been raised in a hearing before an ALJ or in an appeal under section 1128A(e) of the Act may not be raised as a defense in a civil action by the United States to collect a penalty under this part.