About one in 20 participants in the meaningful use program can expect to face an audit for compliance with the program’s requirements, according to a CMS official, Modern Healthcare reports.
Background
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, eligible hospitals and health care professionals who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments.
Since October 2012, CMS has conducted audits of meaningful use program participants who have received incentive payments.
In January, CMS started conducting prepayment audits of health care providers who attested to the meaningful use of EHR systems.
CMS Official’s Comments
During a telephone update on CMS’ meaningful use audits, Robert Anthony — deputy director of CMS’ Health IT Initiatives Group — said that CMS aims to audit about 5% of all meaningful use program participants by conducting approximately the same amount of prepayment and post-payment audits.
He added that Figliozzi & Company, CMS’ audit contractor, will conduct the majority of reviews through “desk audits” but that a few on-site audits could occur.
Anthony said CMS so far has sent few letters notifying health care providers about adverse audit findings. However, he noted that the agency still is in the early stages of its auditing efforts. He added that a few health care providers with adverse audit notices are starting the appeals process and that some providers are facing investigation for possible fraud.
According to Anthony, the most common problems identified in the audits so far are:
Source: iHealthBeat
Comments are closed.
Copyright 2015 - Pulse Practice Solutions | 615.425.2719