Archive for the ‘Self Disclosure Protocols’ Category

Unnecessary Inpatient Admissions Results in Hospital DOJ Settlement

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

By Fisher, JD, CHC, CCEP

Hospital Admissions Fraud Risk Area

Unnecessary Inpatient Admissions – Hospital Fraud Settlement.

An $18 million settlement was agreed by a hospital chain after allegations that claims were submitted to Medicare for patients who were admitted to an inpatient facility when they allegedly could have been treated on a less costly outpatient basis.  The government alleged that the hospital system billed Medicare for short-stay, inpatient procedures that should have been billed on a less costly outpatient basis.  The government also accused the hospital system of inflating reports to Medicare regarding the number of hours of outpatient observation care that was provided.

This is a fairly typical case where the allegation involved billing for services that were of a higher level than required by the patient.  In effect, the excess services are deemed to be medically unnecessary.  In this case, the services involved inpatient admissions that the government alleged could have been taken care of in a less costly outpatient setting.

A former employee was the whistleblower in the case and walks away with over $3.25 million from the settlement.

Read more here: Health Law Blog

  

Using Self-Disclosure Protocols – CMS and OIG Self Disclosure Process

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017

By Fisher, JD, CHC, CCEP

Self-Disclosure Has Become a Normal Part of the Compliance Process

As the OIG and CMS make self-disclosure easier for providers, we have noticed an increase in the rate of cases that are being filed.  Assisting providers in making decisions whether to self-disclose, conducting internal investigations, and guiding the self-disclosure process when appropriate has become a large part of our compliance practice.  Here are just a few of the articles and other resources that we have released regarding self-disclosure issues:

Exercising Reasonable Care to Identify and Address Potential Overpayments

Criminal Exposure for Failing to Repay Known Overpayment

When to Use the OIG’s Self Disclosure Protocols

Excluded Party Cases Dominate OIG Published Self Disclosure Settlements

Self-Disclosure Process – Voluntary Self Disclosure Decisions are not Always Easy

When Does An Overpayment Become Fraud? How Simple Inattention Can Expose You to Penalties for Fraudulent Activities

Provider Self-Disclosure Decisions – Voluntary Disclosure Process

Provider Self Disclosure Process

For more information on the self-disclosure process and legal updates impacting the process, watch this space.

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Read more here: Health Law Blog

  

6 Year Lookback Period Under Self Disclosure Protocol

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017

Look-back Period for Self-Disclosures Increased from 4 Years to 6 Years

6 year lookback Self disclosureOn February 12, 2016, CMS published a final rule for the reporting and returning of overpayments (the “final overpayment rule”). See 81 FR 7653. The effective date for this rule was March 14, 2016. Among other things, the final overpayment rule established a 6-year lookback period for the reporting and returning of overpayments under regulations at 42 CFR 401.305(f). Prior to March 14, 2016, CMS used the time frame established under the reopening regulations at 42 CFR 405.980(b) as a guide to determine the time frame of the SRDP. As such, the time frame of the SRDP was limited to 4 years from the date that the disclosing party submitted the disclosure to the SRDP, unless reliable evidence of fraud or similar fault existed.

Self-referral overpayments reported to CMS in accordance with the SRDP prior to March 14, 2016 are not governed by the 6-year lookback period specified in the final overpayment rule. This includes both overpayments reported and returned (via compromise and settlement) as well as those reported and still in the process of being reviewed through the SRDP. Providers and suppliers that reported self-referral overpayments to the SRDP prior to March 14, 2016 are not expected to return overpayments from the fifth and sixth years. Providers and suppliers reporting overpayments to the SRDP on or after March 14, 2016 are subject to the 6-year lookback period specified in the final overpayment rule.