Eli's Rehab Report
OIG Has an Eye on Rehab for 2009
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The HHS Office of Inspector General has once again released its annual laundry list of audit hot spots. This year, rehab providers in all settings should be on their toes. Items in the OIG's 2009 Work Plan included: • Inpatient hospital settings. The OIG plans to review inpatient rehab facility payments, as well as coding and documentation for Medicare Severity-Diagnostic Related Groups. • Home health agencies. The Work Plan lists Part B therapy payments for home health beneficiaries as first on its list for HHAs. See the article on page 101 for industry expert tips on this area. • Nursing homes. The OIG plans to review accurate RUG coding, and on the Medicaid side listed "plans of care: addressing minimum data set and resident assessment protocols through provided services." • Private practices. The OIG promised to review outpatient physical therapy services provided by independent therapists. Other items on the OIG's list included reviewing Medicare payment for power wheelchairs, along with a slew of other kinds of durable medical equipment. The OIG will also review recovery audit contractors' work. Note:
Eli's Rehab Report
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OIG Has an Eye on Rehab for 2009
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