The Office of Inspector General just published its Semiannual Report to Congress (covering Oct. 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018). Here are the key things labs and lab managers need to know about this … [Read more...]
REIMBURSEMENT
Enforcement Trends: OIG Report Suggests that Urine Drug Testing Is Making Labs a Juicy Target Once Again
June 19, 2018
COMPLIANCE
Medicaid Fraud: Enforcement Continues to Trend Down as Labs Drift Deeper into the Background
May 22, 2018
Last month, the OIG published its annual summary of Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MCFU) activity for FY 2017. Here is a summary of the key findings, trends and impact on labs. Background The 50 MCFUs … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE
Physician Referrals: New Rules Offer Some Stark Law Relief but Not Nearly Enough
April 11, 2018
Like most budget bills, the new federal Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 includes a number of changes to Medicare fraud and enforcement requirements. One set of changes affects the current physician … [Read more...]
FOCUS ON
New Laws: Very Quietly, Congress Doubles Penalties for Medicare Fraud & Abuse
April 10, 2018
Sneaky may be too strong a word. But what is fair to say is that the new hikes in federal health care fraud violation penalties have flown totally under the radar despite their obvious and immediate … [Read more...]
DRUG TESTING
Part B Reimbursement: OIG Flags $66.3 Million in Improper Urine Specimen Validity Test Payments
March 16, 2018
These are tense times for providers of urine drug tests for Medicare and Medicaid patients. And on Feb. 20, the hot seat got even hotter with the issuance of a new OIG report saying CMS made $66.3 … [Read more...]
FOCUS ON
Anti-Kickback Statute: OIG Eyes Changes to Safe Harbor Rules
February 27, 2018
As it does every year, the OIG is reviewing the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) current safe harbor rules. The deadline to comment: end of business, Feb. 26. Here's a quick rundown of what's at … [Read more...]
OIG
Enforcement Trends: The OIG’s Recent Safe Harbor Changes
February 19, 2018
On February 26, the OIG will wrap up public comments on changes to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) current safe harbor rules. While such review takes place every year, 2018 could be a year of … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE
Labs Figure Prominently in OIG’s Newest Top 10 Challenges List
January 9, 2018
Although the OIG has its flaws, lack of transparency is not among them. Exhibit A: the agency's ongoing list of top 10 management and performance challenges facing the Department of Health and Human … [Read more...]
ENFORCEMENT
Enforcement Trends: 5 Takeaways from OIG’s New Semiannual Report
December 18, 2017
Veteran OIG semiannual report aficionados will find little in the most recent edition to distinguish it markedly from its predecessors. But while a new administration has done little to change the … [Read more...]
FOCUS ON
Kickbacks: Does OIG Green Light of Free Product Replacements Open Door for Lab Freebies?
September 29, 2017
The OIG's aversion to offering freebies of any kind to referral sources is longstanding and well known. So the Aug. 25, 2017 Advisory Opinion clearing the way for a provider to replace spoiled … [Read more...]
