Challenges appear to limit states' use of Medicaid payment suspensions Challenges appear to limit states' use of Medicaid payment suspensions

Collection: Health Policy and Services Research Series Title(s): Reports-in-brief (Promoting Women in Development (Project)) Contributor(s): United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General. Office of Evaluation and Inspections, issuing body. Publication: [Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, September 2017 Language(s): English Format: Text Subject(s): Fraud -- prevention & control Medicaid -- economics United States United States. Department of Health and Human Services Genre(s): Technical Report Abstract: Why OIG Did This Review. State Medicaid agencies (Medicaid agencies) are required to suspend payments for health care items and services when there is a credible allegation of fraud against the provider, unless "good cause" exists not to suspend payment. Using payment suspensions, when appropriate, is important to protect Medicaid funds: payment suspensions based on credible allegations of fraud can swiftly stop the flow of Medicaid dollars to providers defrauding Medicaid. A payment suspension can remain in place throughout a law enforcement investigation and potential prosecution of a health care fraud case. How OIG Did This Review. We collected self-reported individual case data for credible allegations of fraud, payment suspensions, and good cause exceptions during Federal fiscal year (FY) 2014 from Medicaid agencies. We also surveyed both Medicaid agencies and Medicaid Fraud Control Units regarding challenges and benefits of payment suspensions that are based on a credible allegation of fraud. What OIG Found. Most Medicaid agencies (41 of 56) reported imposing 10 or fewer payment suspensions. These include: (1) not jeopardizing law enforcement investigations when providers appealed, and (2) sustaining payment suspensions through lengthy fraud investigations, without unintentionally driving innocent providers out of business. Medicaid agencies often applied "good cause exceptions," during which payments are not suspended, while law enforcement investigated a credible allegation of fraud against a provider. Additionally, Medicaid agencies reported taking actions that improved their processes for payment suspensions, including how they handle fraud allegations and collaborate with law enforcement. What OIG Recommends and Agency Response. We recommend that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provide additional technical assistance to help Medicaid agencies fully utilize Medicaid payment suspensions as a program integrity tool. CMS concurred with our recommendation. Copyright: The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information) Extent: 1 online resource (1 PDF file (19 pages)) Illustrations: Illustrations NLM Unique ID: 101737918 (See catalog record) Permanent Link: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101737918