OIG REPORT: Telehealth Services That Did Not Meet Medicare Requirements

Results from an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on "CMS Paid Practitioners for Telehealth Services That Did Not Meet Medicare Requirements"

Medicare paid a total of $17.6 million in telehealth payments in 2015, compared with $61,302 in 2001. Medicare telehealth payments include a professional fee, paid to the practitioner performing the service at a distant site, and an originating-site fee, paid to the facility where the beneficiary receives the service. A Medicare Payment Advisory Commission study of 2009 claims found that Medicare professional fee claims without associated claims for originating-site facility fees were more likely to be associated with unallowable telehealth payments.

Full Summary is available at:
https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region5/51600058.asp

The 26 page report with recommendations is available at:
https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region5/51600058.pdf

string to locate report:

Home > Reports & Publications > Office of Audit Services > Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services

Disclaimer: This guidance is to be used for an easy reference; the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM code books and the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting are the authoritative references for accurate and complete coding. This blog may contain references or links to statutes, regulations, or other policy materials. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. The information presented herein is for general informational purposes only and is accurate as of the date of publication.

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