As a healthcare provider, you always want what's best for your patients. You want to spend your time providing them with the care and services they need—but you still have to deal with administrative headaches to stay in business. Having support staff can help, but when your practice or healthcare business gets audited, it's your responsibility.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) started an auditing program that helps them identify overpayments and underpayments. If you're the subject of an audit, things can quickly get out of hand. By calling the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team, you can ensure the audits are dealt with properly and don't pose a threat to your practice or healthcare license. Call today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.

Medicare RAC Audits Can Jeopardize Your Practice

The CMS appoints recovery audit contractors (RACs) to investigate and recuperate erroneous Medicare payments. The RACs are companies or entities that contract with the CMS and have their own systems for analyzing Medicare claims. They also have the freedom to choose which areas of medicine to review.

Once the RACs complete the investigation, they make a determination. If the RAC finds that there was an overpayment, you, the provider, are responsible for paying it. If there's an underpayment, though, you'll be compensated. You can also appeal a RAC's determination if you disagree with it. However, the appeal process isn't standardized, and you'll have to follow the RAC's specific appeal procedures.

Getting audited is never pleasant, but when it puts your practice on the line, it's downright terrifying.

What to Do If Your Business Is Being Audited

If you get contacted by a RAC, you'll want to take action quickly. These Medicare audits can take place shortly after you receive notification, and you should be ready. Our Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you with an RAC audit by creating a defense strategy that ensures compliance.

We can help you coordinate your personnel on how to interact with the RAC. Only certain employees should be in contact with the auditors, and all communication should be reviewed by our team and your legal counsel. We can also assist with a preliminary assessment so you have an idea of what the auditors might find. Our team will also position you to address any billing errors proactively.

You shouldn't be penalized for honest mistakes. We'll help defend your case and mitigate any negative consequences that might come from a RAC audit. At the Lento Law Firm, we don't want to see you lose your practice—and your ability to serve patients—over some billing errors. We're ready to provide legal support and guidance during your Medicare audit so you can come away with a compliant practice and peace of mind. Call 888-535-3686 to discuss your RAC audit, or send us your information via our online form.