Camden, N.J.-based Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital failed to comply with Medicare billing requirements for 40 of 100 inpatient and outpatient claims reviewed by HHS' Office of Inspector General, according to an OIG report released May 4.
The billing errors resulted in the hospital receiving $666,021 in overpayments during the audit period of Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2017, according to the OIG.
Based on review of the 100-claim sample, the OIG estimates that Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes received overpayments of at least $4.8 million for the audit period.
The OIG provided several recommendations to the hospital, including that it refund Medicare $4.8 million, identify and return any additional overpayments and strengthen its policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Medicare billing requirements.
In comments attached to the draft report, the hospital disagreed with the OIG's findings and recommendations. Despite the hospital's objections, the OIG maintained its findings and recommendations.