An Office of Inspector General (OIG) Advisory Opinion, OIG Advisory Opinion No. 09-06, was released addressing the issue of whether or not “an existing arrangement in which a hospital has agreed to share with a cardiology group, a vascular surgical group, and an interventional radiology group a percentage of the…
Doctors, say goodbye to your free vacations, mugs, and even pens you get from pharmaceutical companies. If you live in Massachusetts or Vermont, the state has passed regulations banning physicians from receiving gifts from pharmaceutical companies. In Vermont, getting a free meal is also banned while Massachusetts limits it. This…
The Obama administration announced yesterday, July 1, 2009, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, that it plans to significantly reduce Medicare payments to physicians, in particular, imaging services and specialists. The purpose of this policy change is to increase the number of primary care physicians to meet the demand…
In Miami, judges have begun sentencing defendants convicted of playing a role in the Medicare fraud scheme. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated the Healthcare Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), which is aimed at reducing Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The indictments include, but are…
On Wednesday, the New York State Register published the new rules surrounding the New York Office of Medicaid Inspector General (“OMIG”) final rule on mandatory compliance programs, which enumerates specifics including who must comply and how to comply. The rules have also been published in the New York Code, Rules,…
On June 24, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Michigan indicted 53 Metro-Detroiters for allegedly submitting false Medicare claims totaling over $50 million. The sting operation undertaken by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Detroit, was coordinated by the Department of Health and Human Services Healthcare Fraud…
Today, President Obama announced an $80 billion deal struck with the pharmaceutical industry. The deal involves the drug manufacturers taking steps to close the gap in the Medicare prescription drug coverage system, commonly known as the “doughnut hole.” According to President Obama, “Medicare covers up to $2,700 in yearly prescription…
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) posted four audit reports as well as administrative and civil/criminal enforcement actions on Friday, June 19. The audit reports concern four separate situations: The University Medical Center of Southern Nevada billed Medicare improperly for two outpatient claims in 2004, resulting in an overpayment of…
Governor Crist is at it again, signing more healthcare legislation into law. This time, Crist signed into law a bill that will “establish a statewide, comprehensive electronic system to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances” that should be complete by June 30, 2010 (SB 462). The bill further…
On May 22, 2009, CMS published changes to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual and Medicare Claims Processing Manual related to outpatient observation. The changes are set forth in Transmittal 1745 and will become effective July 1, 2009. The changes delete references to “admission” and “observation status” in relation to outpatient…