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Recovery audit contractor (RAC) program
Background
News

Medicare-certified hospitals are subject to review by Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs).

 

The original RAC demonstration program was authorized by Congress in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) as a way to find overpayments and underpayments in Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements to healthcare providers. What began as a demonstration program in 2005 in CA, FL, and NY (the states with the largest number of Medicare claims) expanded into MA, SC, and AZ in 2007. The demonstration program identified almost $1 billion in improper payments. Four permanent RAC contractors (assigned by geographic regions) were named, and a national rollout plan was put in place to have all states under the RAC program by 2010.

 

The impact of this program has wide-ranging implications for all healthcare providers – including behavioral healthcare programs receiving Medicare funding.

11/9/2015

CMS: "Recovery Audit Program Enhancements (status as of November 6, 2015)"

11/9/2015

CMS: "Medicare Fee-for-Service Recovery Audit Program Additional Documentation Limits for Medicare providers (except suppliers and physicians)." Effective 1.1.16.

2/18/2014

CMS: Recent updates on the Recovery Audit (RAC) Program. Also see 5 changes to the RAC in response to industry feedback.

7/13/2010

CMS MedLearn Matters (SE1024): "RAC Demonstration High-Risk Vulnerabilities: No Documentation or Insufficient Documentation Submitted" [View]

12/3/2009

CMS announces limits on the number of medical records that may be requested by recovery audit contractors [View]

1/1/1990

RECURRING:  CMS Web site on RACs (Recovery Audit Programs).

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