Radiology Coding Alert

The OIG makes recommendations to CMS throughout the year pointing out where the government is losing money on health care and offering recommendations on stopping the leaks. When CMS doesn't follow up on those recommendations, the OIG doesn't just forget about them. The "Compendium of Unimplemented OIG Recommendations" lists several areas where the OIG's suggestions have not yet been put into action.

Ultrasound alert: The OIG is pointing its finger at CMS for not doing enough to monitor ultrasound data to detect questionable claims. The new report indicates that the OIG continues to review these claims "to reduce Medicare's vulnerability to questionable claims for ultrasound services."

To read the complete OIG report, visit www.oig.hhs.gov/publications/docs/compendium/compendium2010.pdf.