Office of Inspector General Audit Prompts New Phlebotomy Travel Regulations

Publication Date: Sep 7, 2021

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) just released a report suggesting that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) needs to promulgate regulations on phlebotomy travel allowances. The report, which reviews several audits of Medicare administrative contractor (MAC) payments for phlebotomy travel allowances, found that at least two MACs paid providers for phlebotomy travel allowances that did not comply with Medicare guidance. According to OIG, less than half (109 of 202 claims reviewed) complied with Medicare guidance. OIG identified errors related to incorrect prorated mileage, incorrect payment rates, and inadequate documentation.

CMS is expected to release regulation to clarify provider guidance related to prorating mileage on claims for phlebotomy travel allowances or issue further guidance.

To read more articles from this issue of ePolicy, click here. To learn more about ePolicy News and access past newsletters and articles, click here.

For more information regarding ASCP's advocacy initiatives and policy positions, please contact ASCP's Center for Public Policy at (202) 408-1110.

sponsors_hologic
ASCP ePolicy News is supported by an unrestricted grant from Hologic.

First Name		*
Last Name		*
Email		*
Customer ID