ǿ

Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Expect Ongoing Medical Records Review

Question: We’d heard that medical records reviews were on hold due to the COVID-19 PHE, which is still in effect, but have MACs started them up again?

Washington subscriber

Answer: Although it is true that Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) paused many investigations and reviews earlier in the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), the administrators are again performing medical record reviews.

MACS may be looking at Part A and Part B claims through additional development requests (ADRs) and targeted probe and educate (TPE) programs.

Tip: Under TPE, MACs focus on providers with high claims denial rates or providers who have billing practices that vary greatly from their peers. Read more about TPE at .

Bottom line: Your MAC should be your key connection for questions and would be the initiator of medical records reviews and the first level of appeals adjudication.