Audit Finds Wrong Part Of Medicare Was Used To Pay For Hospice Patients’ Drugs
Modern Healthcare: Auditors Find Possible Excess Medicare PaymentsThe Medicare program could be paying multiple times for prescription drugs for hospice beneficiaries, a new federal report suggests. HHS' inspector general's office conducted a nationwide review of prescription drugs for hospice beneficiaries between January and December 2009 and found that Medicare Part D paid for a variety of prescription medications -- including analgesic, anti-nausea, laxative and anti-anxiety drugs and drugs to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- that should have been covered under the per diem payments made to hospice organizations under Medicare Part A (Zigmond, 7/4). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.