A misunderstanding of Medicare requirements and a lack of education led Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, Mass., to overbill the government $101,138, according to a report from the HHS' Office of Inspector General.
According to the OIG's audit, 74-bed Wing Memorial incorrectly billed Medicare for outpatient evaluation and management services, specifically those associated with diagnostic surgical procedures and Supartz injections, from January 2009 through March 2012. The OIG recommended the hospital, part of UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester, Mass., refund the money to the government and Medicare RAC.
Wing Memorial officials concurred with the OIG's findings, saying it would repay the overbilled amount and would improve education in its billing department on E/M services.
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