DME audit activity is back online despite the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency. While respiratory, CGM, and infusion products remain temporarily shielded, audit contractors are making up the difference with manual wheelchairs, surgical dressings, and other items. Proper audit responses are time consuming under the best of conditions, and these, we can agree, are not the best of conditions.
Fortunately, auditors are reasonably sympathetic to resource-strapped suppliers and will often grant, upon request, extensions to suppliers that need them. Extension length varies based on the audit sample size selected and individual supplier circumstances.
Suppliers that communicate with auditors early have a better chance of getting additional time to submit responses. Those that demonstrate a sincere effort and active progress are more likely to get one or more additional extensions. We have seen a variety of audit contractors grant additional time to several MiraVista clients for various hardships:
Suppliers facing logistical challenges should call or email the audit contact listed in the original notification letter to communicate the hardship circumstances that justify an extension. While no extension is automatic or guaranteed, proactive dialogue could get additional time that can be used to prepare a clear and compelling case for supporting claim payment.
SOURCE LINKS
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/provider-burden-relief-faqs.pdf
Fortunately, auditors are reasonably sympathetic to resource-strapped suppliers and will often grant, upon request, extensions to suppliers that need them. Extension length varies based on the audit sample size selected and individual supplier circumstances.
Suppliers that communicate with auditors early have a better chance of getting additional time to submit responses. Those that demonstrate a sincere effort and active progress are more likely to get one or more additional extensions. We have seen a variety of audit contractors grant additional time to several MiraVista clients for various hardships:
- 30-day extension for a MAC TPE audit.
- 45-day extension for a RAC audit.
- Several consecutive 30-day extensions for a complicated SMRC audit.
Suppliers facing logistical challenges should call or email the audit contact listed in the original notification letter to communicate the hardship circumstances that justify an extension. While no extension is automatic or guaranteed, proactive dialogue could get additional time that can be used to prepare a clear and compelling case for supporting claim payment.
SOURCE LINKS
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/provider-burden-relief-faqs.pdf