title: Provider experiences with RAC appeals point to opportunities for program improvement.
abstract: Review by an administrative law judge (ALJ) constitutes the third level of appeal for healthcare providers seeking to overturn reverse recovery audit contractor (RAC) findings of overpayment of Medicare claims. An analysis of the results of RAC appeals submitted by 30 New York hospitals during the demonstration project has disclosed two deficiencies in the ALJ review process: inconsistent ALJ decision making and a lack of an appropriate feedback mechanism to correct erroneous overpayment determinations. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should take advantage of feedback from such studies as an impetus to reevaluate and streamline the RAC appeals process.
authors: Health Resources Optimization, Inc, Lake Success, NY, USA.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Jacobs
authors: Bonnie
authors: B
authors: Scott
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Flood
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Scott
mesh_terms: D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D009518:New York; D020416:Outsourced Services; D014481:United States