Editor’s Note: This is part of a week long series exploring the impact of the OIG 2013 Work Plan on different types of providers and organizations. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced in its recently released 2013 Workplan that it intends to continue…
On September 26, 2012 The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report on Schedule II drugs inappropriately billed to Medicare Part D. The report found that Medicare Part D inappropriately paid for $24.6 million in Schedule II drugs billed as refills, despite federal…
The Obama administration, through a strongly worded letter signed by Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, warned healthcare providers of “troubling indications” that hospitals are using electronic health records to game the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement system. The letter was sent…
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently agreed to a $1.5 million settlement with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule. The HIPAA Security Rule protects electronic health information by requiring HIPAA-covered entities…
On September 14, 2012 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a report to Congress pursuant to the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012 (STA). The report indicates that under the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA), Medicare spending could be cut by almost $11.1 billion in fiscal year 2013…
On Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a Special Open Door Forum (ODF) to provide healthcare suppliers and providers an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about Medicare’s Prior Authorization for Power Mobility Devices Demonstration Program. CMS’ new demonstration program, which applies to orders…
On September 11, 2012 the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that a Recovery Audit Contractor’s (RAC’s) initial decision to reopen a claim is not subject to judicial review. The case, Palomar Medical Center v. Sebelius, involved Palomar Medical Center arguing that a RAC has to…
On September 4, 2012 the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report in which it found that during calendar years 2009 and 2010 Medicare made overpayments to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) totaling an estimated $8.4 million. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services…
On August 15, 2012 the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) for Region A changed its name from Diversified Collection Services (DCS) to Performant Recovery, Inc. According to the website, processes, people, and contact information will remain the same. If you have questions about Recovery Audit Contractors, or need assistance defending a…
On September 12, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a national provider Comparative Billing Report (CBR) targeting podiatry services. The CBRs will be released to a maximum of 5,000 podiatry service providers. This is the second time in which podiatry services have been the focal point…