Evaluation and Management Services / OIG 2011 Work Plan focuses on EM services

Why This Topic Matters

E/M services are a major source of Medicare spending and a common audit target. Understanding the OIG’s work-plan emphasis can help practices assess documentation and billing processes at a high level and prepare internal audits and education efforts.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the OIG Work Plan focus on E/M services

   Introduces the OIG 2011 Work Plan and explains why E/M services are a focus area for physician practices and Medicare oversight.

2. Coding trends and provider variation

   Describes the general audit interest in E/M coding patterns and how those patterns may differ by provider characteristics.

3. Documentation, payment, and electronic records review

   Summarizes the work plan’s attention to documentation quality, identical-note concerns, and electronic health record practices linked to payment review.

4. E/M services during the global surgical period

   Covers the OIG’s interest in the use of E/M services around global surgery and the broader compliance concerns raised by that review.

5. How the Work Plan can support internal audits

   Explains the Work Plan as a source for practice-level audit planning and education efforts.