Hello
I would be careful about this. The reason being that if your doctor's office refunds the overpayment (without Medicare asking for it), and Medicare has not yet audited their books yet (that would show this overpayment), then you may be refunding to Medicare - when Medicare is not even aware an overpayment exists. So, some time later, you may receive a letter from Medicare asking for that refund - when you have already refunded that money. So, I would say, "You don't have to refund Medicare for an overpayment - if they haven't asked for it. Wait until Medicare has recognized it in their books." Otherwise, you'll be spinning your refund wheels for nothing. Others may see this as a bit "unethical," but I think refunding an overpayment (when it is not yet asked for from the Payor), is causing more of a problem. I also don't think there is any kind of written rule (regulation) for overpayments. I have refunded an overpayment to Medicare before, and it only confused them and caused a huge problem for the doctor I was working for.