We’re seeing a substantial increase in payer audits and false claims causes of action based on allegations that procedures and charges were not medically necessary.
Historically, courts have been deferential to a physician’s medical judgment in false claims causes of action. However, a federal appeals court recently found that a physician’s medical judgment could be false or fraudulent leading to a cause of action under the False Claims Act. The appellate court ruling overturned a lower court decision which had granted the physician’s motion to dismiss, finding that treatment decisions based on medical judgment could not be considered false under the False Claims Act. This shift in deferential treatment with respect to a physician’s medical judgment could dramatically increase false claims causes of action against physicians.
In addition, clinical laboratories are getting more and more requests for medical records and facing an increasing number of payment denials based on lack of medical necessity. Prepayment review is more common than ever. The combination of having to respond to medical record requests, payer audits and prepayment reviews on each and every lab test can be cost prohibitive. There is no easy fix.
I recently spoke at a webinar hosted by Karen Zupko and Associates on preparing for a payment audit and tactical strategies for defense. My best advice on tactical strategies for defending a payment audit is to be prepared. Have a compliance program in place and conduct regular self- audits. If a concern is identified during a self- audit, get experienced health care legal counsel involved immediately to preserve privilege and get guidance. A link to the webinar I did with Karen is attached.
http://iplayerhd.com/player/video/e7f7423f-9c31-403b-b56c-90053bb38754/share