Doctors in ZIP codes that were included erroneously as health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in 2012 should beware that Palmetto is taking back incentive payments.
 
The following California ZIP codes are affected, Palmetto notes:
  • 94134 – San Francisco
  • 94924 – Bolinas
  • 94937 – Inverness
  • 94954 – Petaluma
  • 94956 – Point Reyes Station
  • 94973 – Woodacre
  • 95020 – Gilroy
  • 95023 – Hollister
  • 95366 – Ripon
  • 95433 – El Verano
  • 95445 – Gualala
  • 95468 – Point Arena
  • 95476 – Sonoma
  • 95820 – Sacramento
  • 95824 – Sacramento
 
Providers in those areas should not have received the 10% bonus (PDF) CMS gave to physicians who furnish Medicare services to beneficiaries in a geographic HPSA.
 
Palmetto already has started the recoupment process, according to a post on the Medicare administrative contractor’s (MAC’s) website.
 
To keep tabs on what your MAC is up to, make sure to read Part B News.