How to manage is the third component of the P-E-M approach to dealing with the RACs.  It may be inevitable that hospices receive demand letters or requests for records from the RACs.  As soon as a communication from the RAC is received, time is of the essence.  Hospices need to have in place a RAC SWAT Team that can mobilize immediately, prepare clinical records for review, make decisions regarding whether or not to appeal and implement a timely and comprehensive response to the management of RAC activity.  Part of the response to RAC activity must include navigating the Medicare appeals process through each level in as efficient and cost-effective a manner as possible. (more…)