Mid-year OIG Work Plan update has modest impact on practices

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps physician practices identify federal oversight topics that may influence billing, coverage, and shared-savings participation. It is useful for compliance planning and for understanding how OIG work plan changes can affect practice operations without requiring the full premium article.

Article Sections

1. Mid-year Work Plan update overview

   Introduces the mid-year revisions and new items added to the HHS Office of Inspector General’s 2016 Work Plan. It frames the update in terms of its likely impact across different healthcare settings.

2. Impact on physician practices

   Summarizes which Work Plan changes are most relevant to physician groups and explains the article’s compliance focus. It distinguishes practice-level concerns from items more likely to affect hospitals or home health agencies.

3. Provider-based billing

   Covers oversight of provider-based facilities and related Medicare payment considerations. The section discusses CMS oversight of provider-based sites and broader policy interest in site-based payment differences.

4. Lab test payment system

   Describes the new focus on the clinical diagnostic laboratory test payment methodology. It addresses the shift to a market-based payment approach and related program oversight concerns.

5. Part B drugs

   Reviews Medicare oversight of coverage decisions for certain drug uses under Part B. The section focuses on how MAC review processes fit into the Work Plan update.

6. ACO beneficiary assignment

   Explains the new review related to beneficiary assignment in shared savings arrangements. It addresses concerns about assignment accuracy and duplicate payments in accountable care organization programs.