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$10,000 fine for an honest coding error! From: D. G. Huffman (perinatl@slip.net) Sat Jun 1 23:29:35 1996 Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ] Next message: SAVARIS@vortex.ufrgs.br: "Re: vaginal breech" Previous message: D. G. Huffman: "Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal -- Disease: A" Next in thread: Bo Jacobsson: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: Bo Jacobsson: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: Rjshar@aol.com: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: OBDocRick@aol.com: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: Douglas Krell: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" This is from another mailing list, but it might be of interest to those on this list. It is from a Wall Street Journal article from this past Thursday, 5/30/96. According to the article, federal legislation that has passed both the house and the senate would give a $10,000 fine for just making an honest mistake in coding a diagnosis or procedure. You really need to pull up the original article and read it in its entirity (feel free to e-mail me at perinatl@slip.net if you cannot find a copy). I would recommend that you read it then write and call your senator and congressman. Dean Huffman perinatl@slip.net ***************************************** -- List members, I am forwarding this from another mail list with the thought that you may wish to be aware of the apparent provisions of this bill. Can anyone expand on this? It seems somewhat totalitarian in nature, to say the least. Dr. Rosenberg has given permission to forward this message to any other mail group which may be interested in this issue. Please feel free to do so. John Roraback, Ph.D. ----------- forwarded message ---------------- Subj: Hazard to Fee-For-Service Care? ----------- forwarded message ---------------- Date: 96-05-31 23:24:18 EDT ----------- forwarded message ---------------- From: jordanr@CREATIVE.NET (Jordan Rosenberg) Wall Street Journal 5/30/96 p. A14 Jane Orient finds the following provisions in the already passed House and Senate versions of the Kassenbaum-Kennedy bill: 5 years in prison for making a misstatement to your health plan (eg, failing to mention a pre-existing condition) 10 years in prison for intentionally misapplying any assets of the plan to a medically unnecessary service even if it helps you 5 years in prison for failing to turn over to a prosecutor the patient's records, even if it is you being prosecuted. Life in prison if a plan is defrauded in connection with a patient who dies (no mention of whether the fraud contributed to the death) $10000 fine for each instance of incorrect coding, even if honest mistake Fine or prison for those who transfer items for free or less than fair value (providing charity) Automatic seizure of property bought with money tainted by these offences. Paid informants; prosecutors keep fines and seized property Dr. Orient contends this makes health care very risky. However, the risk is only for providers in private practice. Those who work through an HMO are exempt. So is the HMO. If it does wrong it need only provide a plan of correction. I haven't seen the legislation but if the article is right it sounds devastating for fee-for-service practice. None of this is being debated, perhaps very few people know, and it should be addressed before the bill becomes law. Jordan Rosenberg jordanr@creative.net Next message: SAVARIS@vortex.ufrgs.br: "Re: vaginal breech" Previous message: D. G. Huffman: "Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal -- Disease: A" Next in thread: Bo Jacobsson: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: Bo Jacobsson: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: Rjshar@aol.com: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: OBDocRick@aol.com: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!" Maybe reply: Douglas Krell: "Re: $10,000 fine for an honest coding error!"

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