In compliance... with a RAC audit

In compliance...with a RAC auditby Debra Mariani, CPC, Practice Affairs Associate, Division of Advocacy and Health Policyedicare providers should prepare for the entire staff needs to be made aware of such letters. Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) to The point person most likely will be the practice’s Mcontinue with their original plan for com- compliance officer. The team may include mem-pleting audits, now that the protest of the award of bers from several areas of the practice, including the RAC’s contract has been resolved. The Febru- finance, health information management, medical ary 4 settlement means that the stop-work order records, case management, and, most importantly, has been lifted, and the Centers for Medicare & the physician. Even surgeons who have small offices Medicaid Services (CMS) will now proceed with should educate their staff and appoint one person the implementation of the RAC program. This to handle all areas of the RAC audits, denials, and article can be used as a tool to help surgeons and demand letters. The most important piece of in-office staff to handle and prepare for an audit and formation the staff needs is what to do when this as a description of the process for appealing a RAC letter arrives. The RAC team should have policies audit determination. in place for receiving, responding to, and following up with a RAC letter. If these policies are not in Things to consider place, surgeons may lose any opportunity to ...