Fingerprinting provision could take effect in 2014
By HME News Staff
Updated Thu December 19, 2013
WASHINGTON - Industry watchers expect CMS to select a contractor early next year to administer a new fingerprinting provision aimed at curbing fraud and abuse
An RFP seeking a contactor to handle the process has a submission deadline of Dec. 23 and an award date of late February, according to AAHomecare
The provision mandates that “high-risk” providers submit fingerprints for a background check through the FBI's database. Those who will be subjected to the rule include newly enrolling DMEPOS providers and home health agencies; those with payment suspensions in the past 10 years; and those owning at least 5% of a company, directly or indirectly
The provision is part of a final rule published in 2011 setting screening levels for DME providers. The rule established three levels of risk—high, moderate and limited—to guide screening procedures. Re-enrolling providers are considered moderate risk, while physicians and skilled nursing facilities are of limited risk
AAHomecare said it “supports all efforts to curb fraud and abuse, and will work closely with CMS on the implementation phase.”
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