by Ray Foxworth, D.C., FICC, MCS-P
President & Founder, ChiroHealthUSA
Earlier this year, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) took two critical steps that could impact your practice. First, they have asked for an additional $20 million to fight Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse. More money equals more audits. Second, they have introduced new and easier ways for patients to report concerns about pricing and discounts in provider offices ANONYMOUSLY. We reported earlier this year that the OIG is utilizing the impact of social media to educate patients on how to report pricing and discount concerns. With regular videos posted to social media and FB live events during which patients can #AskanInvestigator, the OIG is using every available channel to educate patients on identifying and reporting even their smallest concerns.
Often the rules and regulations are conflicting and confusing, making it difficult for doctors and their teams to know which discounts to patients are good, which are bad, and which are illegal. As part of our commitment to protect and educate the profession, ChiroHealthUSA has launched the Discount Challenge. You have 5 minutes to review ten scenarios and identify which discount practices are good, bad, or illegal. The Discount Challenge will last from now through August 30, 2020. In September, one lucky person will be the recipient of $11,181. Why $11,181? The average “per-occurrence” fine for Medicare inducements is $11,181. That is not a per patient, or per provider, but per-occurrence, which can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines very quickly.
What is the difference? A “Good” discount is one that is compliant and may be applied to any patient no matter who is paying the bill. (Legally Defensible) A “Bad” discount is one that your state may allow, but not the feds or insurance carriers. (Subject to Interpretation) An “Illegal” discount is one that will likely land you in hot water if your office is audited. (Not Legally Defensible)
Whether you are an expert on discounting in your practice or not, test your knowledge in just 5 minutes and ten questions. Every correct answer gets you an entry in the challenge to win $11,181! Once you’ve answered a challenge question correctly, you will receive one prize entry for that question. You can receive a maximum of 10 entries meaning you have answered all ten questions correctly. If you miss one of two, you’ll see information on what the correct answer should have been with links to sources where you can learn more. You may take the challenge as many times as you like until you answer all ten questions correctly. For full official rules and prize disclosures, click here.
Have Some Fun.
Enter to Win.
Why is the Discount Challenge prize amount $11,181? Because that is the average “per-occurrence” fine for Medicare inducements. That’s not $11,181 per patient, that’s not per provider, that’s PER VISIT. Stinks, doesn’t it? To us, the prize amount is worth the investment if we can help our profession better understand proper discounting.