ZPIC

Expect an Increase in Audits of Chiropractic Services!

(April 16, 2018): Chiropractors around the country are again finding their services and claims under intensive scrutiny from Medicare contractors and investigators, despite the fact that only three services even qualify for coverage and payment. Several weeks ago, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its latest […]

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ZPIC Audits / UPIC Audits: The Impact of Transmittal 768 on the Medicare Appeals Process Timeline

(April 12, 2018): A big concern with the Medicare appeals process is the ghastly backlog at the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) for an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing coupled with the government’s authority to recoup alleged overpayments after the second level of appeal (reconsideration). There is renewed buzz regarding the backlog and

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UPIC Claims Audits of Medicare Services are Underway! Are You Ready?

(Updated March 20, 2020): Historically, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has relied on a network of private contractors to handle the program integrity functions for both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Over the years, these private contractors have taken on increasingly significant roles in the detection and audit of instances of fraud,

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Medicare Chiropractic Audits are Increasing!

(June 5, 2017): Despite the fact that only three treatment services are covered by Medicare, the number of Medicare chiropractic audits conducted by the Department of Health Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), has remained high over the last decade and is anticipated to grow throughout 2017 and 2018. As you are aware,

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CMS Awards Zone 6 ZPIC Contract to SafeGuard Services

(August 15, 2015): The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded the contract for Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) services for Zone 6 to SafeGuard Services, LLC. Zone 6 encompasses Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. SafeGuard is the current program

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Health Integrity Educational Letter Sent to Home Health Agencies in Texas and Oklahoma

(November 8, 2013): Health Integrity serves as the Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) for Zone 4. This zone is comprised of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado. Generally, Health Integrity has been assigned responsibility for handling Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims. Health Integrity has been especially aggressive in

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Prepayment Reviews and Postpayment Audits are Increasing in Frequency — New Guidance has Been Issued to ZPICs

(September 3, 2013): On August 21, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released “Transmittal 485/Change Request 8079”. This transmittal imposes an obligation on Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) and Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs) to notify a health care provider prior to placing them on the provider on prepayment or postpayment review. There

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The Texas Medical Board Remains Busy Due to High Number of Complaints Filed in 2012

(February 7, 2013): The Texas Medical Board (Medical Board) was quite busy in 2012. While the number of disciplinary action taken had dropped in some categories, it rose in others. In fact, the overall number of complaints filed with the Medical Board was the 2nd highest in the last decade. The Medical Board’s workload numbers

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DME Claims Audits of Back Braces by OIG, MACs, and ZPICs are Likely to Further Intensify

(February 5, 2013): A “back orthosis” is type of brace that is placed on the outside of a patient’s body and is intended to help stabilize a patient’s spine. In some instances, it is used to limit motion. In others, it is used to address a structural deformity which may exist (such as scoliosis). There

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Medicare Exclusion Screening is Essential to Compliance – Failure to Properly Screen Can be Costly

(January 14, 2013): In recent years, we have represented physicians and a range of other health care providers in administrative litigation over “exclusion” related enforcement actions. One of the most severe sanctions available under the Social Security Act stems from the authority to exclude individuals and entities from participation in federal health care programs. Medicare

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