Eli's Rehab Report
OIG Slams Mississippi Doctor for PT Fraud
A licensed Mississippi physician was arrested in December for fraudulently billing the federal government $16 million for in-home physical therapy services, according to the HHS Office of Inspector General. The indictment, filed Dec. 3, 2008, alleges that the doctor received $7 million in unjustified payments. Cassandra Faye Thomas, owner and operator of Central MS Physical Medicine, Inc., was charged with conspiracy, healthcare fraud, making false statements, theft of public money, and wire fraud, the OIG reported. According to the indictment, the so-called physical therapy services were provided in patients' homes by unqualified, inadequately trained, unlicensed technicians with no supervision and then billed as though Dr. Thomas had provided or supervised the services. This case is part of a larger initiative involving physical therapy practices in Mississippi that is a collaboration between the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and OIG. To date, OIG's involvement in the Mississippi Physical Therapy Initiative has resulted in six felony convictions and nearly $5.7 million in court-ordered restitution in three cases, the agency reported.
Eli's Rehab Report
- Compliance:
Provider Enrollment Changes Could Take a Bite Out of Your Claims
Strategy: Get your new therapists on board early. Heads up, outpatient rehab providers in private [...] - Inpatient Insights:
4 Red Flags That Spell Payer Scrutiny at Your IRF
Plus, things you may not know you can do with physician orders. You know how [...] - Practice Pointers:
Try These 3-Hour Rule Strategies on for Size
Nail this requirement any way you look at it. Having trouble keeping up with the [...] - *News Flash* :
Good News: Congress Turns Attention to Rehab Once Again
Lawmakers shoot for a full therapy cap repeal. Looking for relief in recession? Therapy cap [...] - CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Treating COPD? Home Rehab a Viable Alternative to Outpatient Rehab
Effects of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized trial. [...] - Tool:
Keep Track of PQRI Measures
Know the correct quality data codes to put on your claims form. If you're a [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Clear Up Confusion Over the Word 'Agency'
Question: When you refer to rehab agencies in the fee schedule story in Eli's Rehab [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
What to Do With a PT and OT Coding Crossover
Question: What happens if physical therapy and occupational therapy is working on the same patient [...] - NEWS BRIEFS:
Got NPWT Devices? Gear Up for Coding Changes
If your practice or facility administers negative pressure wound therapy, watch for upcoming HCPCS code [...] - NEWS BRIEFS:
OIG Slams Mississippi Doctor for PT Fraud
A licensed Mississippi physician was arrested in December for fraudulently billing the federal government $16 [...] - NEWS BRIEFS:
CMS Wraps Up MAC Contracting Project
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced its final five Medicare Administrative Contractors, according [...] - NEWS BRIEFS; Michigan to Hand SLPs Licensure Requirements
On Dec. 19, 2008, Michigan became the 48th state to pass licensure legislation for speech-language [...]
