Better audits, delay in appeals relief among HCFA FY 2002 plans

Why This Topic Matters

The article highlights agency-level changes that could influence audit oversight, appeals timing, education resources, carrier performance review, and claims-related administration. Readers monitoring Medicare operations, compliance risk, and reimbursement policy can use it to gauge where HCFA was directing resources and attention for the upcoming fiscal year.

Article Sections

1. A final tally for "black box" edits

   Discusses HCFA’s accounting for commercial edit activity and the cost figures reported for its claims review efforts.

2. Appeals

   Covers HCFA’s request for temporary relief related to appeals provisions and the broader administrative context around that request.

3. Coverage, billing and coding education

   Summarizes proposed funding and outreach efforts aimed at provider education and support for billing and coding questions.

4. Carrier oversight

   Addresses HCFA’s plans for contractor evaluation and related oversight concerns in claims processing.

5. Other items of interest

   Lists additional administrative initiatives involving provider access, claim processing fees, and documentation-related activities.