August 6, 2020
By Edward Roche, PhD, JD EXCLUSIVE: Audits Attack Osteopathic Medicine
The Unified Program Integrity Contractors (UPICs) may need lessons in reading patient notes. Should they be "defunded?" These days, everyone has a horror story about an audit. There are arrogant know-it-alls that show up unexpected, embarrassing the provider in front of their patients. "He must have done something wrong, otherwise…
October 24, 2019
By David M. Glaser, Esq. How Much Weight do MAC Policies Really Carry?
Providers should keep in mind that such policies aren’t binding – but can offer valuable direction. Imagine your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) had a policy detailing their coverage of records documented by a scribe. Say that policy had been revoked. You have located a policy by another MAC, CGS. Would it be…
October 25, 2018
By Frank D. Cohen, MPA, MBB New Medicare Program Integrity Manual Favors Auditors, Not Providers
Chapter 8 changes appear to be less fair than ever before. “Life Isn’t Fair, but Government Must Be”— Former Texas Governor Ann Richards, 1991 Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth, according to Mike Tyson, retired boxer and armchair philosopher. And it appears that the Centers…
May 31, 2018
By Frank D. Cohen, MPA, MBB Analysis: Bias Alleged in Extrapolation Audits
Improper use of extrapolation statistics is stunningly egregious, according to the author. Over the years, I have written extensively about the statistical extrapolations that are a large part of the audit process. In general, auditors—both government and private—make use of the extrapolation to significantly increase the overpayment estimates imposed on…