|
It is important that physicians fully understand that
federal laws expressly state that no proof or specific
intent to defraud is required and that ignorance of
these laws is no defense and can result in civil monetary
penalties. Commonplace mistakes that frequently occur
in medical practices, such as coding errors, the use
of outdated codes or exposing Protected Health Information
(PHI) is a violation of one or both of these statues.
Because anesthesiology is lucrative, it is one of
the investigative targets on the OIG’s list.
Remember, the ultimate responsibility lies with the
physician and the physician is responsible for any
errors in billing; not your office staff nor employees
of your billing service.
HIPAA: MORE
ABOUT HIPAA >>
HIPAA is the single most
significant piece of Federal legislation affecting
the health care industry since the creation
of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965.
Title I of the Act improves
the portability and continuity of health insurance
coverage for millions of American workers and their
families.
Title II provides for administrative
simplification that requires the development of standards
for the electronic exchange of health care information.
Administrative simplification also requires rules
to protect the privacy of personal health information
and the establishment of security requirements to
protect that information and the development of standard
identifiers.
<<
BACK
|
