PTs & Medicare Audits: Reducing Your Risks

June 7, 2007

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Expert Speakers:

Katherine Karker-Jennings, JD, MS, is the founder and owner of Katherine Karker-Jennings, PA, a national health care law firm located in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been a practicing health care lawyer since 1980 and specializes in representing health care providers of all types (sole practitioners, institutions, groups, etc.) and disciplines (therapists, physicians, reimbursement managers, etc.) in a variety of settings. Such representation extends to matters involving Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse, third-party reimbursement appeals, intermediary/carrier claims disputes, and actions before state licensing boards. In addition, Ms. Karker-Jennings has acted as special counsel and expert witness in both federal and state civil and criminal investigations and formal proceedings involving allegations of Medicare fraud. Karker-Jennings has presented many seminars on various health law issues before national, regional, and local associations and groups over the past several years, including the American Health Lawyers Association, National Association for Home Care, and National Association of Rehabilitation Agencies (NARA). She also has written articles in national publications on medical reimbursement issues.

Gayle R Lee, JD, has more than 10 years of experience working on health care issues that affect the rehabilitation industry. Lee is the director of regulatory affairs for the American Physical Therapy Association. As the department's federal regulatory expert, Lee is primarily responsible for issues involving Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA, and CHAMPUS. She specifically works on regulations that affect physical therapists practicing in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, rehabilitation hospitals/units, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities, rehabilitation agencies, and private practice settings. She also has worked at the American Rehabilitation Association, where she was assistant counsel and policy coordinator.

Original Audio Conference Description:

It is challenging to run a physical therapy practice that can comply with today's fast-changing rules, avoid risks, and adapt to financial pressures. The Medicare program is increasing its efforts to identify improper payments and recoup money from providers for overpayments. Find out the details on how to identify and reduce risks of improper Medicare payments in your practice and respond to audits.

Expert health care attorney Katherine Karker-Jennings, JD, MS, joins Gayle Lee, JD, APTA's director of regulatory affairs, to provide information on risk areas for physical therapists and practical suggestions on how to respond when you self-identify a potential overpayment or the government requests dollars back from your practice. During the Q & A session following the presentation you may ask your questions directly to the experts.

Upon completion of the audio conference, you will be able to:

• Reduce risk of improper payments by identifying Medicare payment policies for physical therapy services.
• Detect and respond to problems in your practice.
• Explain obligations to disclose and refund overpayments that you have identified.
• Reduce risk of a formal audit or onsite visit.
• Determine practical strategies for dealing with an audit.
• Describe government initiatives related to recouping of overpayments.
• And much more

Continuing Education Units: Each registered participant will receive a Certificate of Attendance to earn .2 CEU or 2 contact hours after successful completion of a test with a score of 70% or better.