CMS published its interim final values for sleep testing yesterday, November 2, 2010, as part of Medicare’s Final Part B Physician Fee Schedule for 2011. Although the sleep code values are to be effective January 1, 2011, CMS is offering the public the opportunity to comment on these new sleep medicine values by 5:00 pm […]
The 2011 CMS Final Physician Fee Schedule has been released. Please check back with us for entries regarding specific provisions relevant to our readers! Continue Reading →
With respect to the Medicare appeals process, the OIG plans to review and examine the following: • The timeliness of the Medicare contractors’ determinations on requests for reconsideration at the first level of Medicare appeals as they have 60 days to conclude a redetermination pertaining to a denied claim. • The characteristics of cases brought […]
The OIG plans to examine a number of areas pertaining to medical equipment and supplies, including, but not limited to, the following: • The appropriateness of Part B claims in selected geographic areas with high-volume claims and reimbursement for durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers of power mobility devices, hospital beds and accessories, oxygen concentrators, and […]
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, […]
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