RACs get rolling: You can expect to receive audit letters shortly

Why This Topic Matters

The piece helps practices anticipate increased audit-related correspondence and understand the general Medicare review environment without relying on the premium article. It is useful for organizations that need to assess exposure, prepare documentation workflows, and track Medicare compliance developments.

Article Sections

1. RAC program rollout and audit types

   Introduces the Medicare recovery audit contractor program, including the role of contractors and the main categories of review activity described by CMS.

2. What the contractors will be looking for

   Summarizes the general claim areas and policy sources CMS says may be reviewed, along with examples of issue types discussed at the time.

3. Expect your paperwork to increase

   Describes the volume of medical record requests practices may receive and the general limits CMS placed on those requests.

4. E/M services a target

   Discusses physician evaluation and management claim reviews and CMS’s early approach to those audits.

5. When you get a RAC request for additional info

   Outlines the response window for documentation requests and the possibility of requesting more time.

6. How to respond when the demand letters arrive

   Reviews the general provider response paths after a repayment demand, including the timing of appeals and repayment actions.

7. Official resources

   Provides references to CMS resources and a current error-rate report mentioned in the article.