Wachler & Associates Health Law BlogMACs to Recover Annual Wellness Visit Overpayments
Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) are expected to begin recouping money for annual wellness visits (AWV) erroneously paid to both facilities and physicians for the same visit.
For the past two years, CMS has erroneously allowed an AWV on a professional and institutional claim for the same patient on the same day. In some cases, this resulted in double billing to CMS. The erroneous collecting began with dates of service processed on or after April 4, 2011, and could continue through March 31, 2013 because the new policy will not take effect until April 1, 2013. CMS will recoup the double payments made from January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2013 from whoever billed the second claim. The new policy, Change Request 8107, will only allow payment for the professional service, regardless of whether it is paid on a professional or institutional claim.
If you need assistance determining how this new policy may affect your practice, or if you have any other health care law questions, please contact an experienced health care attorney at Wachler & Associates at 248-544-0888.