Prepare for the RACs to take a step back as CMS transitions to the next round of contracts, which will include a fifth RAC focused exclusively on home health, hospice and DME audits.
 
The declining RAC activity is part of a “transition plan to minimize the amount of outstanding work that will transition to the new contracts,” CMS explains in the May 9 issue of its weekly FFS Provider e-News.
 
The decline in record requests will begin in June. However, expect prepayment reviews and post-payment manual therapy reviews to continue without decline, CMS adds.
 
For any questions about the transition, you’re encouraged to email RAC@cms.hhs.gov. Or you could just read Home Health Line to be ready when RAC activity picks up again next year.