Answers from industry experts
Blue Chip Medical
Answers from industry experts about the market and how it can increase your revenue
WASHINGTON (Feb. 5, 2015)—In early January, the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced that they would be performing a study on Medicare beneficiary access to DME, as requested by a bipartisan coalition of House members in July. Soon thereafter, AAHomecare received a request from the OIG to discuss access issues for patients.
Focus on quality and comfort
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 4, 2013)—During the Federal government shutdown, OIG will continue to send notices of updates to its website with information about our Medicare and Medicaid oversight and enforcement activities, which will continue under its mandatory funding. Its fraud and abuse hotline will also continue operations. Most other OIG activities will be suspended during the lapse in appropriations.
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (Sept. 13, 2013)—As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, The Scooter Store, which has billed itself as the leading supplier of power-mobility equipment, is going out of business. The New Braunfels company said in a Sept. 13 statement that it will begin winding down operations in the coming weeks.
Strategies for non-competitive bid winners in the new HME/DME reality
An acceptance of reality and a pronounced sense of optimism were evident in Las Vegas
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 2013—On March 28, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report entitled “Surety Bonds Remain an Underutilized Tool to Protect Medicare From Supplier Overpayments.” The report analyzed CMS’ handling of the surety bond program for DME providers and concluded that the Agency had mismanaged the program.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2013—AAHomecare is making a formal request to the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) urging the investigative group to complete its congressionally-mandated assessment of the Medicare bidding program.
A challenging sales environment for HME beds and support surfaces requires clever tactics
ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 4, 2012—As reported by Chuck Buck, publisher of the RACmonitor, a sweep of seven U.S. cities by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has resulted in 91 health-care providers being charged for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $429.2 million in false billing. Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, along with Inspector General Daniel R.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 3, 2012—As reported by The American Health Lawyers Association—and edited by Neil Caesar of The Health Law Center to target DMEPOS suppliers—the following provides a brief summary of the Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) new regulation, accreditation and payment-related activities for FY 2013.
Medicare Reviews
For FY 2013, OIG has added several new reviews of Medicare payments and services. Activities include:
Joint ventures and other arrangements between HME suppliers and hospitals
Jeffrey S. Baird is chairman of the Health Care Group of Brown & Fortunato, a law firm based in Amarillo, Texas. He represents HME providers, pharmacies and other health care providers throughout the U.S. The following is a Q&A he authored.
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a fraud alert last week, warning beneficiaries about criminals who target people with diabetes.
The OIG reported there are variations of the diabetes scam, but it generally involves a call from someone claiming to be from the government, a diabetes association or Medicare. The caller offers "free" diabetic supplies, such as glucose meters, diabetic test strips or lancets.
The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services recently started releasing 11 short video and audio presentations for health care providers on top health care compliance topics. The free videos and audio podcasts cover health care fraud and abuse laws, the basics of health care compliance programs and what to do when a compliance issue arises.