CMS awards new Medicare RAC contracts

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today named its new Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors. Three contractors will perform post-payment review of Part A and B Medicare fee-for-service claims for all provider types other than home health/hospice and Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies: Performant Recovery Inc. in Region 1, Cotivit LLC in Regions 2 and 3, and HMS Federal Solutions in Region 4. In addition, Performant Recovery will perform post-payment review of home Health/Hospice and DMEPOS claims nationally. CMS last year announced improvements to the RAC program, some of which could not be implemented until the new contracts were awarded. CMS said the awards continue the implementation of many program enhancements designed to reduce provider burden, enhance program oversight and increase transparency. AHA will provide more information on the status of the improvements and transition to the new RACs as it becomes available.