Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., failed to comply with Medicare billing requirements for 45 of 225 inpatient and outpatient claims reviewed by HHS' Office of Inspector General during the audit period of Jan. 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2012, according to a recent OIG report.
The 45 claims that did not comply with Medicare billing requirements resulted in the hospital receiving $311,447 in overpayments. The OIG identified 42 inpatient claims and three outpatient claims that had billing errors.
Based on its findings, the OIG recommended the hospital refund the Medicare contractor $311,447 in overpayments and strengthen its controls to ensure full compliance with Medicare requirements.
Freeman Hospital disagreed with some of the OIG's findings. The hospital contended it did not improperly bill for 10 of the 45 improper claims the OIG identified in its audit. The hospital said it would appeal the OIG determinations for those 10 claims.
After reviewing the hospital's comments and objections, the OIG maintained its findings and recommendations.
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