Because Medicare payments for sleep testing has increased from $62 million in 2001 to $235 million in 2009, the OIG will review the appropriateness of payments for such testing and the factors contributing to such a steep increase in payments. Additionally, the OIG will examine the appropriateness of Medicare payments for sleep testing at sleep […]
The OIG will review the high-cost diagnostic tests to ensure that they were medically necessary by looking at the same diagnostic tests ordered by the primary care physician as well as the specialist. With respect to independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs), federal regulations require compliance with 17 standards. The OIG will look at IDTFs to […]
Currently, Medicare Part B pays for imaging services pursuant to the physician professional cost component, the malpractice costs, and the practice expenses. Practice expenses are resources used in furnishing the services (i.e., rent, personnel costs, equipment costs, etc.). The OIG will review whether the Medicare payments for practice expenses “reflect the expenses incurred and whether […]
In 2009, Medicare spent nearly one fifth of its Part B payments on Evaluation and Management (E&M) Services. Providers are responsible for ensuring proper coding when submitting their claims. The OIG will review the E&M claims that have been submitted to determine if coding patterns vary by provider. Furthermore, the OIG will examine the “extent […]
The OIG will review hospice services in connection with nursing facilities. According to the Work Plan, “in a recent report, OIG found that 82 percent of hospice claims for beneficiaries in nursing facilities did not meet Medicare coverage requirements.” As a result, the OIG will look closely to nursing facilities that utilize hospice care. Furthermore, […]
The OIG will examine a number of Home Health Agency (HHA) issues, a number of which are provided in this entry. The OIG will scrutinize payments made under Part B’s HHA prospective payments. The Social Security Act requires that all services provided under a plan of care of an HHA be paid to the HHA, […]
The OIG will review a number of payment systems including, but not limited to, capital payments, the provider-based status payments, the inpatient prospective payment system, excessive Medicare payments, Medicare disproportionate share payments, duplicate graduate medical education payments, payments for diagnostic radiology services in emergency departments, and compliance with the Medicare conditions of participation (CoP) for […]
In an audit of Michigan’s Medicaid program, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that Michigan’s Medicaid agency did not report on the CMS-64 $3 million in over payments–a direct violation of Section 1903(d)(2) of the Social Security Act (Act). Of that $3 million not reported, $2,198,100 was the federal government’s share. The audit revealed […]
On October 4, 2010, the OIG released its Work Plan for the FY of 2011. Throughout the week, we will be posting on various aspects of the Work Plan pertinent to our clients and our readers in the following areas: • Hospitals • Home Health Agencies • Hospices • Evaluation and Management Services • Imaging […]
On September 30, 2010, the Arkansas Supreme Court held that Baptist Health, a private, charitable, nonprofit corporation, may not impose an Economic Conflict of Interest Policy (Policy). In this case, “the Policy mandates the denial of initial and renewed professional staff appointments or clinical privileges at any Baptist hospital to any practitioner who, directly or […]
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