Upcoding still a significant fraud issue

In an indication that providers should continue to be especially diligent adhering to correct coding practices, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and OIG are still pursuing upcoding, and the OIG's plans for 2003 include examinations related to the aberrant coding. In a recent case, a hospital in Providence,

In a recent DOJ announcement, Assistant Attorney General Robert D. McCallum of the Civil Division said, "This settlement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to vigorously pursue allegations of fraud and abuse in the Medicare system."

See the DOJ press release at http://www.wusdoj.gov/opa/pr/ 2002/October/02 civ 599.htm. The OIG Work Plan for 2003 is available at http:#oig.hhs.gov/publications/ workplan.html.