Revenue Cycle Insider

Question: I am hearing from other providers and even some suppliers that they are receiving emails or faxes from Medicare audit and debt collection units asking for medical records or payment of Medicare debts. I didn’t think Medicare communicated on these matters in this way? What should I do if we are contacted?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), they generally don’t initiate audits via fax or email unless the provider requests it. Additionally, Medicare overpayment collections are handled through an established process via your Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs).

So, be cautious. If you receive an obviously fraudulent or suspicious request no matter the communication method — email, fax, call, etc. — protect your information, don’t respond, and check it out.

Work with your medical review contractor to confirm the medical record request is genuine. (Unsure who that is? Find yours using CMS’ interactive map here.) To ensure any questionable overpayment collection request is real, contact your MAC directly.

Patricia Zubritzky, BS, CRCE-I, Contributing Writer, Pittsburgh