The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently announced that it expects to recover an estimated $3.8 billion in overall recoveries for the first half of fiscal year 2013. This report covers October 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013. The OIG’s semiannual report is…
The Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) have issued a complex review targeting intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT has been used in radiation oncology to treat many different types of cancer by modulating high intensity X-ray beams directed at a tumor and thus minimizing the amount of radiation to healthy tissue. In…
This morning, the Senate Finance Committee, a committee responsible for the oversight of Medicare, met with providers to discuss their experience with the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contract RACs to detect and recuperate improper Medicare program payments. At the hearing, Chairman…
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), along with 13 co-sponsors, introduced a new bill on June 12, 2013, titled the Administrative Relief and Accurate Medicare Payments Act of 2013. This initiative, House Rule (H.R.) 2329, aims to ease administrative burdens on healthcare providers and efficiently allocate energy and resources related to Medicare…
As of July 1, 2013, 799 suppliers will participate in Round 2 of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) for Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS), offering medical equipment and supplies to Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. The CBP has been in effect for one year in…
Auditing entities are utilizing more sophisticated electronic data mining methods than ever before. Today’s sophisticated data mining techniques enable auditors to identify greater cost recoveries, making auditing activities both more efficient and more effective. Auditors utilize statistical data mining testing to determine whether a provider’s billing practices are statistically different…
Earlier this year, Connolly, Inc., the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) for Region C, posted a new issue to its CMS-Approved Issues List targeting Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) services for providers in the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey,…
Hospital lobbying groups are pushing for Congress to pass the Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013, which would put a cap on the amount of document requests that Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) may demand from providers. Specifically, the bill would limit RAC document requests to 2% of hospital claims and…
On May 17, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an interim final rule, which lowers payments to providers for services furnished to individuals enrolled in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP). The new rule will require providers to accept Medicare rates for services provided to PCIP…
Hospice providers must always obtain written certification that a patient meets Medicare’s hospice coverage criteria. Written certification of terminal illness needs to be obtained no later than 2 days after hospice care is initiated, and must be on file in the hospice patient’s record prior to the submission of a…