WASHINGTON, DC – Last week’s OMHA Appelant Forum brought pointed questions from industry representatives in a hearing that yielded applause from providers whose businesses are paralyzed by the confusing audit process. The day began with several presentations about the OMHA backlog of 164,000 appeals that are causing the suspension of assignment of appeals cases to administrative law judges (ALJs).

Attendee Joseph Reutter of BSI Medical Supply concluded, “I did realize that the ALJ is not the problem…CMS is the main problem here. And the first two rounds, redetermination and reconsideration, are the biggest issues.”

AAHomecare President Tom Ryan (pictured) told OMHA Chief ALJ Nancy Griswold that when he hears stories of providers with patients who have been on oxygen for years being denied for technical reasons, and having to appeal the denial all the way to the ALJ level, the entire audit process is broken.

 Ryan advised Judge Griswold that HME providers “are in crisis mode” and explained that OMHA’s long-term plans to use technology and other means to streamline and speed up the hearing process are welcomed by the industry. However, because the current system is dysfunctional on every level, providers need immediate relief. Ryan asked Griswold for solutions beyond legislation that would have an immediate impact. AAHomecare’s Audit Task Force is ready to work with OMHA and would like to schedule meetings in the near future. Read an Account of the Day on Twitter – @VGMGroupInc #VGMAuditMadness

Medtrade Spring Brings Crucial Educational Sessions to Deal with Audit Miseries
LAS VEGAS – Medtrade Spring is just three weeks away, scheduled for March 10-12 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Crucial educational sessions are taking on the problem of audits head on. CLICK HERE to register for Medtrade Spring.

The following audit-related sessions are on tap:

Monday, March 10, 2014
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
ICD-10: A Hands on Workshop
Speakers:
Kim Brummett, Senior Director Regulatory Affairs, AAHomecare
Mary Ellen Conway, President, Capital Healthcare Group
Track: Business Operations
Location: South Pacific D

Monday, March 10, 2014
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
A Supplier’s Biggest Burdens: Audits and Clinical Documentation
Speakers:
Kelly Grahovac, Sr. Consultant, The van Halem Group, LLC
Wayne van Halem, President, The van Halem Group, LLC
Track: Legislative & Regulatory
Location: South Pacific A

Monday, March 10, 2014
2:45 PM to 4:15 PM
Documentation Overhaul For HME Providers
Speakers:
Andrea Stark, Consultant, MiraVista LLC
Track: Business Operations
Location: South Pacific C

Tuesday, March 11, 2014
2:45 PM to 3:45 PM
RAC, ZPIC, PSC, and CERT Audits for HME Suppliers: How to Effectively Respond to Requests for Documents
Speakers:
Denise Leard, Attorney, Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Track: Legislative & Regulatory
Location: South Pacific D
6-4-18 Series: 6-4-18 Series

Wednesday, March 12, 2014 – 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Better Compliance for Better Business: Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Speakers:
Angela Miller, CMC, CHC, President/General Manager, Medical Auditing Solutions LLC
Track: Business Operations
Location: South Pacific A