How can providers mitigate risks of improper payments in Medicare?

Providers can mitigate risks of improper payments in Medicare effectively through regular audits and compliance checks. This proactive approach involves systematically reviewing claims and procedures to ensure that they align with Medicare guidelines and regulations. Audits can identify discrepancies, errors, or potential fraud before they escalate into larger issues, thereby helping providers maintain proper billing practices and compliance with Medicare rules.

Regular compliance checks also reinforce adherence to the necessary standards of care and billing procedures, promoting accountability and reducing the likelihood of improper payments. By identifying areas of risk or non-compliance, providers can implement corrective actions and provide additional training to staff, which further strengthens their overall compliance program.

In contrast, increasing billing rates or submitting more claims may actually raise flags during audits and could lead to further scrutiny from Medicare authorities. Limiting services offered does not address the root causes of improper payments and may adversely affect patient care and service delivery. Therefore, the most effective strategy for mitigating risks associated with improper payments is through regular audits and compliance checks.