decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2009 Issue 11 (November)
OIG singles out transforaminal epidurals in 2010 Work Plan
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article summarizes several areas highlighted in the HHS Office of Inspector General’s 2010 Work Plan that affect physician and Medicare billing compliance. It focuses on the agency’s audit and evaluation priorities, including specialty services, payment integrity concerns, and recurring oversight topics that were carried forward from prior work plans. The piece is useful for coders, compliance staff, billing managers, and physician practices that want a broad view of the issues under review and the organizations involved.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers understand where federal auditors were directing attention in the 2010 Work Plan, which can inform compliance review and internal monitoring. It is especially relevant to practices billing Medicare and other physician services subject to OIG scrutiny.
Article Sections
-
OIG Work Plan overview
Introduces the annual work plan and the general areas of physician and Medicare billing oversight highlighted for the coming year.
-
Transforaminal epidural injections
Discusses the planned review of physician billing for a specific interventional pain service area and the broader oversight concerns associated with it.
-
Other issues OIG plans to study next year
Summarizes additional Medicare compliance and payment topics the agency said it would examine, including referral, imaging, and claims-timing issues.
-
Issues to be revisited from previous Work Plans
Notes recurring audit topics carried over from prior years, along with the continuing focus of federal oversight.
-
Official resource
Points readers to the referenced HHS Office of Inspector General work plan document.
What You Will Learn
- Which broad Medicare and physician billing topics were emphasized in the 2010 OIG Work Plan.
- How the article frames federal audit priorities for specialty services and payment oversight.
- Which recurring compliance areas remained under review from prior work plans.
- Which organizations and policy areas are associated with the reported oversight themes.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Compliance officers
- Billing staff
- Physician practice managers
- Healthcare auditors
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com