ZPIC or Medicare Audit and Site Visit Checklist
As a physician, medical group or other healthcare provider, if you receive a notice of an audit and site visit from Medicare, the Medicare Administrative Carrier (MAC) or the Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC), things happen fast with little opportunity to prepare. Hopefully this checklist will help you to prepare for the on-site visit that […]
Jurisdiction 12 Gets New Medicare Administrative Carrier
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Diversified Service Options (DSO) acquired Highmark Medicare Services (Highmark) on January 1, 2012. DSO is a holding company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. (BCBS Florida). Highmark had the contract with […]
Update All of Your Addresses with Medicare Immediately!
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Have You Checked Your Addresses on File with CMS/Medicare Recently? Do you remember the last time you checked all four of the addresses you should have on file for any individual or any group/company Medicare number you may […]
Be Prepared for a Medicaid Audit Request
By Lance O. Leider, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Health Law Florida healthcare providers servicing Medicaid patients are at a higher risk for audits than anywhere else in the country. The reason is that Florida has become synonymous with healthcare fraud. As a result, auditing and subsequent overpayment demands are some […]
American Hospital Association (AHA) Sues U.S. Government for Denied Medicare Payments by RACs, ZPICs and Other Auditors
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On November 1, 2012, the American Hospital Association (AHA) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) claiming that private auditors hired to crack down on improper Medicare payments are denying hospitals millions […]
Zone 4 Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) for Medicare and Medicaid Programs is Health Integrity, LCC
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Health Integrity, LCC, was named the Zone 4 Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) for the Medicare and Medicaid programs. As the ZPIC for Zone 4, Health Integrity has been performing benefit integrity activities aimed to reduce fraud, waste and […]
Tips for Responding to a Medicaid Audit
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Should you find yourself, your facility or your health practice the subject of a Medicaid audit by your state Medicaid agency or audit contractor, there are a few things you should know. The most important thing is that […]
CMS Fights Medicare Fraud With Ban on New Home Health Agencies and Ambulance Suppliers in Three Cities
By Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will temporarily ban new home health providers and ambulance suppliers from enrolling in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health […]
ZPICs Seek “Voluntary” Agreements from Physicians for Auto-Denial Edits for Home Health Services
By Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law, and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the primary purpose of Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) is to investigate instances […]
Dentists: Tightened Controls on Prescribing to Medicare Part D Patients Could Affect Your Practice
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Starting June 1, 2015, Medicare Part D will no longer reimburse patients or pharmacies for prescriptions unless the dentist opts in and enrolls in Medicare, or opts out and enters into a private contract with the patient. This […]
Medicare and Medicaid Audits of Psychologists and Other Mental Health Professionals – Part 1
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Over the past year I have observed an increasing number of Medicare and Medicaid audits being initiated against psychologists and other mental health professionals. I have recently seen a number of audits initiated against psychologists and mental health […]
Medicare and Medicaid Audits of Psychologists and Other Mental Health Professionals – Part 2
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Over the past year I have observed an increasing number of Medicare and Medicaid audits being initiated against psychologists and other mental health professionals. I have recently seen a number of audits initiated against psychologists and mental health […]