Further analysis along with personal CMS staff interviews found that CMS does not collect supporting documentation to verify self-reported information prior to payment.

In its recommendations, OIG said that CMS should "obtain and review supporting documentation from selected professionals and hospitals prior to payment to verify the accuracy of their self-reported information."


In a response to DOTmed News, Brian Cook, a spokesperson for CMS, said the prepay audit before giving out incentive payments would be too burdensome for taxpayers and to providers. "We think that we can achieve the same goal that OIG is aiming for by adopting the OIG's other recommendations and doing auditing," he said.

Other recommendations in the report include more guidance on specific examples of documentation that providers and hospitals should maintain to prove their compliance with the meaningful use rules.

Since OIG states in the report that the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) requirements for EHR reports is said to contribute to CMS's oversight obstacles, it recommends that the ONC require EHR technology to be able to produce more specific meaningful use measures, as well as improve the certification process for EHR systems to make sure reports are more accurate.

Back to HCB News

More Industry Headlines