Prior to the HITECH Act in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), HIPAA audits were only initiated when a complaint was filed against a business. This reactionary audit trigger no longer stands alone, additionally the HITECH Act calls for a minimum of 150 random HIPAA audits by the end of 2012. (more…)
Healthcare Legislation Posts
HHS Launching Random HIPAA Audits
Wednesday, September 5th, 2012Quality Assurance Fee Survey Update Due 12/30/2011
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011You may have received the email below from DHCS requiring your hospital to submit a new Quality Assurance Fee (QAF) Survey by 12/30/11. One of the reasons DHCS is collecting this information is to determine how revenue and expense from the QAF program (aka the provider fee program) are recorded on the 2010 OSHPD annual reports. If QAF data were reported incorrectly, it could skew Medi-Cal DSH payments. DHCS is requiring all hospitals to apply, whether they receive DSH or not, and whether they are a private or public hospital.
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CMS Requires Provider Revalidation
Thursday, October 27th, 2011In accordance with regulations listed in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), CMS has authorized the Fiscal Intermediaries (FI) to request revalidation of provider information currently on file. This requires the completion and submission of new Medicare enrollment applications (CMS-855A, 855B, 855I or 855R) depending on the type of healthcare provider.
Comprehensive Health Care Legislation
Monday, April 4th, 2011What Does it Mean for Post Acute Care Providers
Even though both the House of Representatives and the Senate have not yet completed work on their respective bills to restructure the health care delivery system, it seems very likely that we will be experiencing the most significant health care reform legislation since the advent of Medicare and Medicaid. As has been noted by so many key figures in this national debate, the current system is unsustainable, impacting one-sixth of our economy, and if the status quo were to prevail, President Obama’s economic recovery strategy would itself be in “immediate jeopardy.” So while the House leadership and members of the “Blue Dog Coalition” of fiscally conservative Democrats have succeeded in delaying the necessary committee work and a vote on any of the most likely bills being crafted in the near future, in all likelihood some significant health care reform legislation will be enacted, probably by the end of the year. (more…)