A single entity should conduct Medicare audit activity, rather than the current approach of multiple audits, the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) told the Senate Finance Committee on Friday.
"Hospitals currently are subject to activities by numerous Medicare auditors, many of which employ inconsistent auditing standards. … [T]here is a wide variability in auditor qualifications and experience. Multiple audit sources, all looking into the same issue or types of issues, creates confusion and imposes significant additional costs," FAH stated.
The trade association representing 1,000 investor-owned and managed community hospitals and health systems called on Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Thomas Carper (D-Del.) to streamline Medicare auditing to create consistent standards for providers and cut down on unnecessary costs, FAH said. Letter (.pdf)