Federal Spending and Government Audits

On Aug. 26, 2021, HAT LAW partners Julie B. Mitchell and Philip J. Chapman spoke to the Mississippi Hospital Association on the effect of COVID-19 on federal spending in 2020, possible exhaustion of the Social Security Trust Fund, and how to respond to government audits when (not if) they happen.

Mitchell spoke on current audit issues, the various auditors (in particular, MACs, RACs, UPICs, OIG and DOJ), and what these auditors and/or agencies will look at through the end of this year and into 2022.

Later in the talk, Chapman went over the appeals process for both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as successful strategies in defending and overturning overpayment demands resulting from the government audits.

Click here to view their presentation, which addresses issues like:

1. Waste accounts for 25% of health care spending.
2. What effect did COVID-19 have on federal spending in 2020?
3. How long will Medicare and Social Security last?
4. How does the government try to reduce waste in health care spending?
5. Who is responsible for government health care audits?
6. What triggers a government audit of a health care facility?
7. What should a health care facility do after receiving a demand letter after a government audit?
8. Should a health care organization appeal a demand letter resulting from a government audit?
9. How do appeals work?
10. What is the process for appealing with Mississippi Medicaid?
11. What happens if a health care provider loses its appeal?

Mitchell and Chapman regularly handle Medicare and Medicaid audits and appeals as well as other government investigations with regard to health care providers. For assistance or more information on these topics, please reach out to the HAT LAW health care attorneys.