The Law: Audits 101
How to handle (and avoid) a payer investigation
By Robert Anthony There is one word that can elicit groans, inspire fear, and unleash migraines in grown adults just by its very mention.
Audit.
Every practice worries about the possibility of an audit, whether by Medicare or a private payer. The sad truth, however, is that few physicians know what to do when an audit actually occurs. If an audit comes to your practice, should you be worried?
Absolutely, says Tom Powell, senior consultant for Healthcare Administrative Partners, LLC, in Media, Penn. “When an auditor comes to visit, despite what they say or how they behave, they’re there for one reason: They believe you are doing something wrong.”
No matter how you look at it, an audit is a serious matter. If your practice is going to survive the process, it needs to be prepared. We’ve asked a panel of experts for the best approach to surviving — and even avoiding — a Medicare or private payer audit. Continued...
