CMS warns requirement to report/return overpayments is in effect even without regulations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) needs more time to finalize its February 16, 2012 proposed rule on reporting and returning of Medicare overpayments, according to a CMS notice to be published on February 17, 2015. The 2012 rule would provide details on implementation of an Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision requiring enrolled providers and suppliers (and certain other enrollees) receiving Medicare funds to report and return Medicare overpayments by the later of 60 days after the date on which the overpayment was identified or, if applicable, the date any corresponding cost report is due. Although the requirement to refund an overpayment already exists in federal law, the proposed rule would clarify what constitutes "identification" of an overpayment, the mechanics of when and how an overpayment must be returned, and the period of time subject to repayment. CMS had received a large number of comments from providers and suppliers and their industry associations that the proposed rule's refund reporting policies and procedures would impose significant administrative burdens.
The Social Security Act requires public notice if an agency will take more than three years to finalize a proposed rule. CMS states that "the complexity of the rule and scope of comments warrants the extension of the timeline for publication" for an additional year (until February 16, 2016). Specifically, CMS has "determined that there are significant policy and operational issues that need to be resolved in order to address all of the issues raised by comments to the proposed rule and to ensure appropriate coordination with other government agencies." The agency warns stakeholders, however, that "even without a final regulation they are subject to the statutory requirements found in section 1128J(d) of the Act and could face potential False Claims Act liability, Civil Monetary Penalties Law liability, and exclusion from Federal health care programs for failure to report and return an overpayment."
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
