(November 19, 2012): Zone Program Integrity Contractors, better known also as "ZPICs," are continuing to focus on home health agencies (HHAs), hospice providers, and DME companies as the subject of their Medicare audits. Based on input from both the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), ZPIC audits have expanded in both scope and intensity. In particular, ZPIC audits have been focused on HHAs in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Florida.
I. The OIG's 2013 Workplan Lists Home Health Services as a Continuing Concern:
With the recent release of OIG's 2013 Workplan, which reinforced that HHAs and hospice providers continued to be subject to intense government scrutiny, expect that ZPIC audits will increase among these industries. It has been our experience that ZPIC audits closely follow the identified target areas in OIG's annual Workplans, and this year will be no exception. Each year, OIG, the Department of Justice (DOJ), CMS, and CMS contractors receive more funding to tackle Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse, and this translates to increased enforcement efforts across the board, including ZPIC audits. Remember that ZPIC audits and other recovery actions are money-maker for the government; in one estimate, the government made 1 dollar for every 19 cents it spent on healthcare fraud enforcement and recovery. Multiply this by several million and you'll see that these audit programs will only continue to expand, as they produce great returns for the federal government.
II. Primary Problems Areas Identified in ZPIC Home Health Audits: Do ZPIC Audits Reveal?
ZPIC home health audits generally reveal two distinct problems: that patients are not home-bound and/or the services provided were not skilled services, and were therefore not medically necessary. While our attorneys have had tremendous success in overturning denials of these reasons, providers should proactively review and update their documentation practices to reduce the risk of claims denials in the first place. While ZPIC auditors excel at identifying reasons for denial, excellent documentation can prevent even the pickiest auditor from denying a medically necessary claim.
Homebound denials are common when patients still have some ability to ambulate. ZPICs interpret the relevant home-bound provisions to require that patients never leave their homes and are generally unable to get out of bed. However, the rules don't state this, instead recognizing home-bound status as requiring patients to have a "considerable and taxing effort" to leave the home. Congress has specifically stated that attempts by home-bound patients to live a normal life (going to church, visiting family) that are rare or infrequent should not be penalized in non-coverage of claims. As a result, ALJs have been receptive to our attorneys' arguments about the home-bound status of the patients of our HHA clients.
ZPIC auditors also deny claims based on lack of skilled nursing services. This applies especially to instances of medication management, healthcare education, and diabetes care issues. Often times, ZPIC audits apply an extremely strict standard to what is or is not skilled care, and this is where appropriate documentation can make all the difference in the world. There is no doubt that the nurses of most HHAs are providing a comprehensive and medically necessary set of services for their clients that go beyond simply making sure the patient is taking their vitamins. The problem, though, is that this information is not effectively captured. It is important for HHAs to ensure their nurses are appropriately trained on the documentation requirements in various Medicare jurisdictions.
III. Final Remarks:
Whether it is documentation review and training before a ZPIC audit, or representation in appealing ZPIC audit denials, Liles Parker attorneys have the skills and understanding to provide effective assistance to HHAs and other healthcare providers facing this challenge.
Robert Liles is the managing member of Liles Parker PLLC, based out of our Washington, D.C. office. Robert has extensive experience handling ZPIC audits, compliance program reviews, internal audits, Medicare and Medicaid overpayment appeals, and other health care compliance projects. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call Robert today for a complimentary initial consultation at 1-800-475-1906.