Fraud and Abuse: Watchdog Barks Out Dirty-Dozen List of Coding Errors

Article Overview

This article reviews an HHS Office of Inspector General Work Plan itemizing several billing and coding areas likely to face scrutiny. It is relevant to physicians, coders, compliance staff, and practice managers who track Medicare oversight, documentation risk, and fraud-and-abuse enforcement trends. The discussion covers broad categories such as evaluation and management coding, consultation billing, modifier use, place-of-service reporting, ESRD-related payment issues, home health oversight, diagnostic testing, excluded providers, and radiation therapy reimbursement.