UofL 5K Raises
$3,000 for The
Healing Place
Claim Denials
May Hurt
Ky Physicians
More than 50 runners battled the elements on Saturday, March
29, to take part in the 26th annual Health Care Classic 5K hosted by
the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Despite heavy rains
before and during the event, participants raised approximately
$3,000 for The Healing Place, the addiction recovery program
based in Louisville.
Medicare Administrative Contractors, recovery auditors and Zone
Program Integrity Contractors have now been given the discretion to deny medical claims based on additional documentation
submitted before or after the claim. If the claims are retro-actively
audited, the office of the physician will be charged for the difference at a later date. Effective March 6, 2014, this policy change
could affect a number of professions including radiology and
pathology most directly.
Over 100 runners were anticipated, but weather deterred some.
Still, organizers said they were incredibly pleased with the event
and look forward to building on its’ success next year. “The race
is a great way to show support for the incredibly important work
being done with a minimal budget at The Healing Place,” said Ben
Belknap, 5K organizer and UofL medical student. “Next year, the
second year medical students will be taking the reigns. We only
hope for better weather!”
Other sponsors for the event include Pomeroy and Rhoads Orthopedics, UofL School of Medicine Dean Toni Ganzel, MD, Louisville’s
Pacers and Racers Running Store and the Greater Louisville Medical Society.
“From my position, the physician’s already done the work, provided the service, paid their staff and all the expenses,” said Bruce
Scott, MD. “A great analogy of this is an onion. The more you peel
it, the more you want to cry. It’s interesting that this is something
Medicare has been threatening to do for years and now, at least
in theory, they’re really going to do it.”
Prior to the new option taking effect March 6, auditors could
previously only retract the expenses of the technical component.
The change allows services which may have been given months
or even years ago, depending on the time of the audit, to be financially nullified. No examples of physicians experiencing this
audit are yet known.
Save The Date
Presidents’ Celebration
June 1, 2014 | 4-6 PM
The Historic Louisville
Water Tower
GLMS News May 2014
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