The Qui Tam process is designed to encourage and Whistleblowers or “relaters” to disclose illegal billing arrangements by paying a percentage of any recovery to the relaters for providing “confidential” information. The theory is that these individuals will be providing information with would not otherwise become available. A corollary to this theory is that relaters cannot
August 2011
U.S. Physician Practices Spend Four Times As Much As Payer Administrative Money As Canadian Counterparts
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
A commonwealth fund supported studies reported some key findings:
1. Physician practices in the United States spent $82,975.00 per physician per year interacting with payers compared with $22,205.00 in Canada.
· If U.S. physicians had similar administrative costs to their Canadian counterparts, the total annual savings would be $27.6 billion dollars.
· U.S.
US DC of Massachusetts Orders Production of Performance Evaluations to Medical Resident
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
In Gargiulo v. Baystate Health, Inc., Dr. Debra Gargiulo alleged that she was discriminated against on the basis of her age and disability by Baystate Health in violation of both federal and state law. As part of her claim, the plaintiff sought production of numerous documents relating to her records, evaluations and reports, as well…
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program FAQs
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
CMS has recently updated its EHR frequently asked questions about the federal incentive program for the meaningful use of electronic health records. The most recent update pertains to guidance for critical access hospitals. The FAQ also discusses how eligible professionals and hospitals apply for incentives under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive program.
More information is available
2011 Medicare Physician Guide
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
CMS has published a revised Medicare Physician’s Guide.
http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedicarePhysicianGuide_ICN005933.pdf