"Nationwide Healthcare Lawyers"
(January 18, 2013): Specialty dental practices around the country are receiving audit letters from “Zone Program Integrity Contractors” (ZPICs), contractors working for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This latest audit focus by ZPICs is rather surprising in light of the fact that very few dental procedures qualify for Medicare coverage and payment. […]
(January 14, 2013): In recent years, we have represented physicians and a range of other health care providers in administrative litigation over “exclusion” related enforcement actions. One of the most severe sanctions available under the Social Security Act stems from the authority to exclude individuals and entities from participation in federal health care programs. Medicare
(December 31, 2012): Over the last year, many dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons around the country who participate in federal health care benefits programs such as Medicare and Medicaid have found themselves accused of a “credible allegation of fraud,” levied by federal / state investigators or agents contracted to audit dental providers on behalf of
(December 30, 2012): Generally speaking, from the standpoint of a dental practice, “Cloud Computing” involves the use of an offsite server to store and access medical records, maintain patient information and or practice business records (such as coding and billing information). Cloud Service Providers (CSP) offer various services to dental practices. In most instances, the
(December 4, 2012): This month, the Healthcare Billing & Management Association’s (HBMA) Journal, Billing, features an HBMA Journal article written by Robert W. Liles, Managing Partner at the firm. Entitled “Be Careful Before Moving to Cloud Computing: A Contrarian View of the Inevitable,” the article tackles many of the current risks associated with the use
(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
ZPIC Home Health Audits are Slated for the Future Read More »
(November 12, 2012): The AHA Supports the Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2012. Is this Legislation Going to Help Physicians or Not? On October 16, 2012, a new bill was introduced by Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) entitled the “Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2012”. This legislation was immediately supported by the American Hospital Association (AHA),
(November 2, 2012): As we recently discussed before the East Coast arrival of Hurricane Sandy, Social Security Act Section 1135 Waivers may ultimately be available for healthcare providers in affected areas of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, New England, and surrounding states. 1135 Waivers exist to temporarily waive billing and participation requirements for healthcare providers
(September 26, 2012): From the start, Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) have worked to separate themselves from their proverbial “bounty hunter” peers – Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). As you may know, ZPICs are paid on a contractual basis by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), instead of by how much money they return
A CMS ZPIC Contract is Quite Lucrative Read More »
(September 24, 2012): There are 3 recognized legal theories under which False Claims Act (FCA) liability may be established – the FCA Express Certification, Implied Certification, and Worthless Services theories. As you may know, the FCA is the government’s primary fraud fighting tool, and prohibits the presentation of false claims for payment by the government.
FCA Express Certification Liability Theory Read More »
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