Webinar on What is a Compliance Program 101!

Medical Auditing Solutions is providing a webinar in conjunction with The Cornerstone Insurance Group (Cornerstone) to discuss the Basic Compliance Program Requirements.  We will learn what a compliance program is, what laws require it, the elements of a compliance program, and how the program can be beneficial to the healthcare provide.

Any and all healthcare providers (medical and dental practices as well as ancillary providers such as DME, Home Health, Hospice, etc.) taking Medicare and Medicaid should attend.

No CEU credit is formally given, but you will be welcome to send the handout received post attendance to your accrediting agency and ask for credit.  Some will provide and the worse they can do is say no.

The Cornerstone Insurance Group (Cornerstone) in no way endorses the accuracy of the information being provided.  In registering for this program, you will release and hold Cornerstone harmless of any and all actions you take as a result of this call.  This call is basic information and is simply an avenue for you to educate yourself on compliance program requirements.  This call in no way provides legal advice or provider specific advice without adequate documentation to review.  This is informational purposes only.

Cornerstone providers Total HR management & products including benefits management, Total Insurance products, Wellness Management Services.  Read more about the services Cornerstone offers you may find services that could benefit your organization.  They are primarily in Missouri and surrounding states but do cover additional states.

Program Title:  Compliance Program Basics and Elements

Date:                     July 24, 2012

Time:                    11:30 am-12:30 am CST

Cost:                      Complimentary

Register:              https://cc.readytalk.com/r/yhypbz3hj2p

About more about the speaker and Medical Auditing Solutions LLC:

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller is Certified in Healthcare Compliance.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria through compliance program development, management and training.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.

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Medicare PrePay Audit for Oxygen and CPAPs for all MACs

As I understand it, all Oxygen and CPAPs in all Medicare MAC regions are on prepayment status.  This means you will be getting additional documentation or development request letters to provide documentation to support medical need prior to the claims being paid.  This evidently is being discussed in Mac Council Meetings this month.

How to do improve turnaround time?

You need to obtain all documentation, physician chart notes, date last seen initial and renewal (if applicable), and copies of test results at the time of the order intake and certainly PRIOR TO BILLING.  Waiting until the request is received puts your business in danger of missing the deadline due to the physician failing to see the importance of a timely response to the request for records.

What is your plan?

Have you diversified your business model with higher ratio of commercial payers?  If not and you want to increase to likelihood of sustaining prepayment audit while Medicare penalizes everyone in the industry with this prepayment plan you need to look at diversification.

If you have better ideas for fighting fraud and abuse beside penalizing everyone in the industry with prepayment audits, the Senate Finance Committee is seeking input from the healthcare community.  Speak up!

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria through compliance program development, management and training.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.

Senate Finance Committee Seeks Feedback on Fighting Fraud & Abuse as They Look at ZPICs

Reposted from email blast received May 2, 2012.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2012
CONTACT:  Julia Lawless/Antonia Ferrier (Hatch)              (202) 224-4515
                            Communications Office (Baucus)                          (202) 224-4515 

HATCH, BAUCUS LEAD FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO COMBAT WASTE, FRAUD, & ABUSE IN
MEDICARE & MEDICAID PROGRAMS
In an open letter to members of the health care community Senators write, “Drawing on the collective wisdom and accumulated insights of thousands of professionals and individual experiences could offer a fresh perspective and potentially identify solutions that may have been overlooked or underutilized.”

WASHINGTON – Today, six members of the Senate Finance Committee, led by Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), announced a bipartisan effort to begin soliciting ideas from interested stakeholders in the health care community regarding effective solutions to improve federal efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Joining Hatch and Baucus in the effort are:  Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Tom Carper (D-Del.).

In an open letter to members of the health care community, the Senators wrote, “We believe federal efforts would be strengthened by input from members across the health care community – providers, payers, health plans, contractors, non-profit entities, consumers, data analytics entities, governmental partners, and patients. Drawing on the collective wisdom and accumulated insights of thousands of professionals and individual experiences could offer a fresh perspective and potentially identify solutions that may have been overlooked or underutilized.”

This week, the lawmakers invited interested stakeholders to submit white papers offering recommendations and innovative solutions to improve program integrity efforts, strengthen payment reforms, and enhance fraud and abuse enforcement efforts. Submissions are due by June 29, 2012. A summary document highlighting key proposals will be compiled and released later this year.

The Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

To view a signed copy of the letter click HERE.

Below is the full text of the letter:

May 2, 2012

To Members of the Health Care Community:

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), few programs are as much at risk for fraud, waste and abuse as the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  Estimates of the amount of fraud and misspending in these programs vary widely, from $20 billion to as much as $100 billion. Just this week, testimony before the Senate Finance Committee underscored the seriousness of this problem, as witnesses testified that while much has been accomplished in the fight against fraud and abuse, much more needs to be done.  As Senators and members of the Finance Committee, we have a duty to ensure that taxpayer funds are being spent wisely.

Combating fraud in Medicare and Medicaid has long been a challenge for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General (HHS OIG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).  To date, numerous efforts have been made to reduce fraud, yielding a mixed record of successes and failures.  We believe federal efforts would be strengthened by input from members across the health care community – providers, payers, health plans, contractors, non-profit entities, consumers, data analytics entities, governmental partners, and patients. Drawing on the collective wisdom and accumulated insights of thousands of professionals and individual experiences could offer a fresh perspective and potentially identify solutions that may have been overlooked or underutilized.

Today we are announcing an effort to solicit ideas from all interested stakeholders in the health care community, regarding solutions and suggestions for how to better prevent and combat the multi-billion dollar problem of waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  We invite you to submit white papers offering your best ideas, built on years of experience and insight.  We want to know what areas you see for improvement in current program integrity efforts, as well as additional solutions that we should consider. Working together, we hope to identify innovative solutions that will provide taxpayers with a better return on the investments being made to combat the overpayments in these federal health care programs.

Below are the general categories in which we seek input, though some recommendations may include multiple categories:

&#61623      Program Integrity Reforms to Protect Beneficiaries and Prevent Fraud and Abuse

&#61623      Payment Integrity Reforms to Ensure Accuracy, Efficiency and Value

&#61623      Fraud and Abuse Enforcement Reforms to Ensure Tougher Penalties Against Those Who Commit Fraud

 

Entities interested in submitting white papers should email a PDF or Microsoft Word document to ProgramIntegrityWhitePapers@finance.senate.gov by June 29, 2012.  Submissions should include summary information about the entity or individual submitting a white paper, as well as phone and email contact information. White papers should be as succinct and concrete as possible.  When possible, please include cost-benefit or potential savings information.  Our staff will review submissions and compile a summary document highlighting key proposals later this year.

We appreciate your submission of thoughtful and constructive solutions, as we work to conduct targeted oversight to improve federal efforts to reduce fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid. Together, we believe we can improve program integrity and be better stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Sincerely,

BAUCUS
HATCH
COBURN
WYDEN
GRASSLEY
CARPER

###

Innovation & Cost Savings: Beacon by LabCorp

I recently attended a meeting and LabCorp Representative spoke about various services they offer.  Toni Spain is very knowledgeable and passionate about patient care and provider the tools to the physicians to be more efficient, cost effective for the provider and provide the best care to the patient.

Ms. Spain introduced Beacon, which is at no additional cost to a general LabCorp account!  Beacon is virtual access to lab results and providers up to 2 years of lab history for the patient, no matter who ordered previous tests on file.  This will save the payers money and provider the physicians the ability to make decisions and treatment recommendations quicker for better quality patient care.  The patients many times do not remember what kind of tests other physicians orders, the results, or which physician ordered it.

This is an innovative step for LabCorp right at the time when Medicare is trying to implement Accountable Care Organizations which is all about quality care for the least expense by managing medical costs.

Contact Toni Spain for more information on this product that will change your office.

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria through compliance program development, management and training.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.

Medtrade-Atlanta Want to Shake Your Hand

Medtrade will be here in just a few short weeks.  I would like to meet the health care providers attending.  I am taking appointments now.  This is a tough time for health care providers and I would like to take the opportunity to shake your hand and pat you on the back for all your hard work to make a difference in this industry.

I speak on Thursday, November 18, 8:30am on Got Your KX? Get Cash.  This is a may audit issue.  We will discuss how to safe guard your business.  You can still register to attend now at Medtrade.

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria through compliance program development, management and training.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.

Date of Death Audits for DME & Inpatient Facilities

Beware, this is just one region that has published the date of death audit for DME and inpatient facilities such as rehab, hospital, LTC, SNF facilities.  This audit is done periodically and most suppliers are hit with a few thousand to upwards of $20K in overpayment refund requests.  Be prepared with a reserve of cash based on the size of your business.  At a minimum, I would suggest a set back of $5K even if you are outside of Region A.  Region A tends to publish this type of information earlier than other areas. These audits typically take place about every three years which is why the dollar amounts are so high.

We all know that payment after date of death will never be paid; however accidents will happen.  Ensure your billing staff doesn’t just “resubmit” claims without working the denial, this can cause a fraud audit even if you are not getting paid!  Likewise, if payment does occur it is usually less than 90 days from date of death when family fail to contact suppliers because they think the equipment belongs to the patient.  It could be a pick up ticket was not entered or a facility span date was not stopped at date of death instead of the full episode.  Note these are being audited by the RAC!

Republished:
NHIC, Corp.
DME MAC A ListServe
For Immediate Release
August 12, 2010

CMS Approved Audit Issues Posted for Region A Recovery Audit Contractor

DCS, the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) for Region A, recently posted new CMS approved audit issues for RAC review.

The new CMS approved audit issues are listed below and apply to the states of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

* Date of Death – DME
* Date of Death – Inpatient

See the CMS approved audit issues at DCS’ RAC website: http://www.DCSRAC.com for more information.

Region A includes the states of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

PECOS: Uncover the mystery! Extended 1/3/2011

**NEWS FLASH** Found at least one gov’t contract with an extension notice of Jan 3, 2011 posted!

What is PECOS? Basically, this is an online 855 application process which is also linked to NPPES (NPI database).  The official name  is Medicare Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System.

Where did the info in PECOS come from? They uploaded (in some fashion) from the fiscal intermediary that processes your 855 paper enroll applications.

Why do I need to bother if they have the information from 855? The information in many circumstances is inaccurate and it can stop your cash flow reimbursement.  My guess is, as with any software or data conversion, exceptions to eliminate terminated data were not built in sufficiently.  So, with that said, it is very possible information is incorrect which can result in revoked provider number. For example I recently worked on a provider’s PECOS records that showed locations that have been closed for several months. If the Medicare contractors visit locations or call a phone number that is no longer valid including an invalid area code, they can suspend or revoke the provider number.

You must register in PECOS.  This means you must obtain a username and password in PECOS to review and validate all your information.  Before you begin view and print (save to complete) the 855 they show. You may need copies of your previously submitted 855’s. If you did not keep a copy, do so for all applications in the future.  You can save the information and go back to finish if need be.   Do not click “begin submission” until you are 100% certain you are finished.  Any changes will require a “submission” then you must print out the certification documents for signature to submit hard copy to the address that prints on confirmations.

Do not let incorrect information or failure to register in PECOS stop your PESOS (Cash Flow).  Register deadline for PECOS by UPDATED**7/6/2010 or 1/1/2011 (depending on what article you read) will stop your Medicare payments also.   ADDED**This is the latest note I found on CMS’ website “July 6: Please read the news release found at the following location http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=3774 , the January 2011 deadline was superseded by a statutorily established deadline in the Affordable care act. As soon as a firm enforcement date of the regulations has been determined we will announce it.”

This is not going away.  It will take 1-1.5 hours to gather corporate and provider documents.  It will take about 2 hours per provider record to review documents, data, make corrections, make necessary copies of documents, sign and mail.

I have provided a list of numerous documents that you should have available for this as well as site visits.  I recommend maintaining all the important records in a three ring binder to be handy for site inspectors.

If you need help getting this done, we can help with this project.  We will register you, save all log in data for you, save the existing PECOS record, make necessary updates based on the documents provided, save revised document, print all certification forms to PDF.  All documents will be password protected and returned to you by email for $289.00 per provider number.  We can overnight the certification pages and a CD with all documents back to you for an extra $30.00 for all provider records being returned.  Please contact us so that we may sign a confidentiality contract.

PECOS  CHECKLIST

• Sale purchase agreement, if applicable
  • Asset acquisitions require a new provider number
  • Also note, Home Health Agencies with a provider number less than 36 months old will require a new provider number also
  • Were the state and local agencies informed of the acquisition?
• State Licensure such as pharmacy license, DME/HME License, typically health care business line specific, if applicable
• Local- state licenses such as occupancy or business licenses
• Copy accredit certificate (DME, HHA,
• IRS 147C letter
• NPI letter/email
• Any Adverse Action
• Director of Nursing/Administrator license
• Medical MalPractice Insurance Certificate
• Liability Insurance Certificate must have correct location address on it for minimum $300K
• HHA: Documentation to demonstrate capitalization requirements
• Board of Directors, Owners with 5% or more, Manager (w-2), clinical provider Information:
  • Full Name
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of Birth
  • In some states, like FL &CA, finger print cards are required for the mentioned
• If owned by another company or venture capital company:
  • Need the company(ies) TID#
  • Corporate Business Address
• If complex ownership, please provide an organizational chart of ownership even if handwritten.

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria through compliance program development, management and training.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.

Numerous Physician, Physician Groups, and DME Revocations Coming

The American Health Lawyers listserv released yesterday, there are numerous revocations across physician, physician groups, and DME providers for failure to respond to 855 validation or update requests or the provider was not open or available during a sight visit.  Please ensure you or your staff open mail in a timely manner!  Be sure you take immediate action on any requests from Medicare.  Medicare periodically requests for updates, validation or new 855 payor applications be completed. If the Medicare contractor does a sight visit, you must have hours posted and the door must be unlocked and the person greeted, if it is during your business hours.   Likewise, if you are closed for vacation, post a sign on the door & answering service vacation dates and who patients should see in an emergency.  This may have come as a PECOS notice.  Think of PECOS as your online 855 submission and application management.  Educate your staff to review mail timely and notify you immediately of any requests from Medicare for any response, forms, documentation.  You as the business owner need to review it or have it reviewed.

It seems every time  we turn around there is bad news to deliver to health care providers.  This is a very scary time from audits, revocations, reimbursement cuts along with legible documentation and getting patients to come into the office for an in-person visit when they are physically not capable.  The industry is facing challenges.

Medicare must be notified if you move because they mail requests to the address on file.  Remember, an invalid telephone number or area code can result in revocation as well.  Likewise, the post office does not always deliver the mail and they do not send communication with a tracking number!

You have 30 days to submit a corrective action plan, but be proactive and do it immediately!  The Corrective Action Plan form can be located via the MAC contractor website.  If the Correction Action Plan is denied, there is no appeal!

It is crucial for you to keep your provider number because without it you will not be reimbursed and are subject to loosing other payor contracts. You have to get your number placed in good standing, but this can be a long process.  They also do not have to activate it back to the date it was turned off.  If you need help completing or validating the 855 application or working an appeal, we can help you in a cost effective manner.   We work with several health care law firms that can assist you also.  Be sure no matter who you have help you, they have experience with the application process, understand the health care industry and/or are health care attorneys.

I feel like I need to have a drink or joke of the week blog so I can bring some good uplifting news.

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.

Medicare Timely Filing Reduced to 12 Months

As you may recall in my earlier health reform blog,  I noted that one of the several changes to be implemented was the reduction of the initial claims filing period reduced from 18 months to 12 months.  I would encourage you to read the other operational changes impacting collections noted in the blog.

Region A MAC and HCCA Compliance Weekly published the system change on May 14.  Each contractor may have a different published date but it appears that the announcements will be coming very shortly.

Note the change is RETROACTIVE to all claims on or after January 1, 2010! This would indicate that CMS has most likely directed all contractors to this announcement.  Notify your billing staff ASAP, they only have 1 year to file an initial claim.  For providers who must receive documentation from physician’s prior to billing, you must be more diligent than ever before.  If the physician’s are not providing the necessary information to bill for the services ordered, get the patient involved.  The patient can request a copy of their record at any time and can carry the order to the physician for signature.

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.

Health Care Reform: Compliance Programs, Reduce Filing Limits, Limited Ownership

The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 signed March 23, 2010, has made significant changes to health care providers and claims filing requirements.  Remember, CMS will have to publish written notification and post implementation deadlines; however, it will make your life easier to start educating staff and changing practice now.

*  Mandatory Effective Compliance Program for ALL health care providers that bill Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded program from hospital to mental health and everyone in between.

A compliance program has been required for providers collecting $5 million or more per year in Medicaid funds collectively since 2006.

http://www.cms.gov/smdl/downloads/SMD121306.pdf

New York Office of Inspector General implemented state requirement for effective compliance program 10/1/2009. http://www.omig.state.ny.us/data/content/view/79/1/

An effective compliance program contains 7 elements which includes Compliance Officer, Compliance Committee, Code of Conduct (approx 70 pages), Policies & Procedures (50+ depending on practice), Minimum of 5 hours of training per year on specific relationship and billing topics, Auditing and Monitoring Function, Reporting Options without fear of retaliation, and a few others that are embedded in these items.  It takes at least 12 months to roll out a compliance program and about 18 months to see effectiveness.  As a note, accreditation policies typically do not include most of the elements likewise the audits typically are not coverage criteria based or risk based.

*  Physicians must have a Face to Face with patients prior to ordering DME (durable medical equipment) and HHA (Home Health) Services effective 2/23/10.  This should be taking place now; however, if not, do not wait until CMS publishes an effective date.  This is good business practice and should be implemented immediately.

*  Physicians must be a Medicare provider as of July 1 2010, if they order DME and HHA that will be billed for Medicare reimbursement.

*  Physicians must provider medical record documentation to support referral orders or be subject to a revoked Medicare supplier number for a period not greater than one year **ADDED**

*  Claim submission filing limit has been reduce from 18 months to 12 months.  Until CMS publishes an effective date, you will have 18 months.  Be on the look out.  Announced 5/14/2010

*  Expanded Stark Law regulations will limit physician ownership in hospitals as of 12/31/2010.

*  Must provide patient choice when you have diagnostic equipment in your office such as MRI, PET, CAT.

*  Stark & Anti-kickback violations will also receive penalties until Federal False Claims Act.

*  Overpayments must be refunded to Medicare/Medicaid within 60 days whether you identify the overpayments or the refund is requested.  Failure to do so is likely to result in a revoked provider number and sanction from participating with the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  This was actually part of the Patient Affordable Care Act.  CMS announced 10/15/2010 see also Cynthia Stamer’s Blog.  This announcement also has language on Self Disclosure of Self Referral practices that have taken place.

*  Have heard from several people, that Oxygen will be reduced from 36 months to 13 months.  However, I have searched the full text and amendment and cannot find it. **ADDED**

*  It will require insurance payers to reimburse preventative services at 100% with no co-pay.  Please note, this has not been published with an implementation date so continue to file claims as normal.  Patients cannot expect to receive free preventative services until their payer publishes this change!

*  It appears to me that only companies with 50 or more employees will be required to provide health insurance for all W-2 employees.  I will be interested in seeing how this turns out.   It also appears that in 2018, you will have to use the government health care program or loose tax credits of 25-35% of the premiums.  I wish I had one of this money trees in my back yard!

This covers many of the highlights that impact provider billing, but there are so many more points.  Read over the information so your are prepared.  If you find you need your compliance program reviewed and developed remember to find a consultant that focuses on ALL aspects of compliance not just a compliance program.  They need to understand billing and operations and we are one of the companies that offers an all encompassing solution to health care providers.

You can reference the full text http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/Senate_health_care_bill.pdf and amendments http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/House_reconciliation_package_031810.pdf as well as a blog from Looper, Reed, & McGraw http://www.lrmlaw.com/pdf/ALERT-Healthcare-Reform-Alert.pdf.  Search the document for key words used in bullet points.  I have also included a Timeline link that has many items bullet pointed except the ones that apply to providers and reimbursement for Medicare services http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/TIMELINE.pdf

Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years.  Ms. Miller has made it the  focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria.  Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits.  Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time.  Ms. Miller  also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.