The last RAC Assistance for Hospice Newsletter alerted hospices to the fact that HealthDataInsights, the RAC for Region D, has received approval from CMS to review two hospice-related issues.   Given that we are all new at this and don’t know how it will impact hospices, here are some thoughts… (more…)

Now is a good time to determine your hospice’s level of risk exposure  to overpayment recoupment from your RAC. Although the RACs have not kicked in yet and may not for several more months, conducting an assessment now can give you a better sense of how vulnerable your hospice might be and how much you need or do not need to be worrying about the RACs.   It can also help in the ongoing challenge of safeguarding against ADR claim denials and unsuccessful appeals. (more…)

You do not need to be afraid of the RACs. Making certain that your hospice can withstand whatever RAC scrutiny may come your way is not as hard as it may seem at times. The RACs are not yet targeting hospices and there is an opportunity NOW to make certain that each and every claim submitted for payment is for care provided to patients that are eligible for hospice and/or for the level of care provided. (more…)

The first component of the P-E-M approach for dealing with the Recovery Audit Contractors is to prepare.  Preparation for the RACs includes conducting a baseline compliance audit to assess the hospice’s vulnerability and risk.  It also includes getting ready for “RAC attacks” by making certain appropriate personnel are assigned key responsibilities essential to building a RAC infrastructure. This may already be in place for hospices that have had to deal with Additional Development Requests (ADRs) or other types of scrutiny - now it must be as fine-tuned and formalized as possible. 

The articles  and resources in the Prepare category of RAC Assistance for Hospice will address what hospices need to do now to prepare for the RACs.