Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates

National Site Visit Contractor Established

(May 24, 2012): The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is rolling out a new survey initiative, known as the “National Site Visit Contractor” program. In updates to the Medicare Program Integrity Manual released on April 6, 2012 and April 13, 2012, CMS has somewhat quietly introduced the National Site Visit Contractor program, noting […]

National Site Visit Contractor Established Read More »

Medicaid RACs to Increase Enforcement Efforts

(May 23, 2012): Recent efforts by CMS to improve Medicaid audit performance have resulted in procedural changes for Medicaid Integrity Contractors (MICs) and financial incentives for Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractors (Medicaid RACs) to increase their audit efforts and effectiveness. RACs have long been regarded as “bounty hunters” within the Medicare/Medicaid and healthcare provider communities. These

Medicaid RACs to Increase Enforcement Efforts Read More »

Medicaid MIC Audits to Increase

(May 15, 2012): Recent efforts by CMS to improve the performance of Medicaid MIC audits have resulted in procedural changes for these contractors and new financial incentives for Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractors (MRACs). These new procedural changes are intended to improve the effectiveness of MRAC audits. The recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Medicaid MIC Audits to Increase Read More »

Medicaid Therapy Services in Texas Must Comply With HHSC Rules

(May 2, 2012): Recognizing that many Medicaid therapy services in the state are not in compliance with fraud, waste, and abuse laws, Tom Suehs, the Executive Commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), issued a reminder last week. Specifically, the Commissioner identified several violations of Texas law in recent months, most notably

Medicaid Therapy Services in Texas Must Comply With HHSC Rules Read More »

Medicaid RAC Program Up and Running – 26 States Award RAC Contracts

(April 11, 2012): At a conference last week in Baltimore, Angela Brice-Smith, Acting Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid Integrity Group, stated that 26 states have awarded contracts under the Medicaid RAC program, and a quarter of those states’ Medicaid RACs are now reviewing claims. Ms. Brice-Smith added that CMS

Medicaid RAC Program Up and Running – 26 States Award RAC Contracts Read More »

OMHA Changes ALJ Hearing Case System

(March 2, 2012): Likely recognizing the enormous disparity in Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing workloads for its various Field Offices, the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) recently switched to a Central Docketing System for all pending and new appeals. Under this new system, all ALJ hearing requests will be sent to OMHA’s Central

OMHA Changes ALJ Hearing Case System Read More »

Georgia Prepayment Reviews are Being Conducted by AdvanceMed

(February 29, 2012): In the past few weeks, AdvanceMed Corporation, the Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) for Regions II and V (covering the Northwestern and Southeastern portions of the United States, respectively), appears to have significantly expanded the number of Georgia prepayment reviews it is conducting. More specifically, AdvanceMed appears to be focusing on hospices,

Georgia Prepayment Reviews are Being Conducted by AdvanceMed Read More »

CMS Issues Proposed Rules About Returning Medicare Overpayments

(February 22, 2012):  The proper handling of Medicare overpayments is an essential responsibility of all participating providers.  Late last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an important proposed rule in the Federal Register that could dramatically affect all healthcare providers, Third-party billers and other entities involved in the healthcare industry. The proposed rule,

CMS Issues Proposed Rules About Returning Medicare Overpayments Read More »

RAC-Initiated Medicare Prepayment Reviews Will Soon Begin.

(February 7, 2012): In recent years, physicians and other health care providers have faced a wide number of administrative actions and sanctions levied by contractors working for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) have subjected physician practices to Medicare prepayment reviews, postpayment audits, suspension and / or revocation

RAC-Initiated Medicare Prepayment Reviews Will Soon Begin. Read More »