HHS-OIG Issues Report on Improper Claims for Nonemergency Transportation Services

OIG is Concerned About Improper Claims for Nonemergency Medical Transportation Services

(September 6, 2010): The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently issued its report examining the costs of nonemergency transportation services reimbursed by Medicaid. Pursuant to 42 C.F.R. § 431.53, Texas and other States are required to ensure that Medicaid patients have transportation to medical facilities and providers to obtain covered Medicaid services.

In Texas, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has contracted with the Texas Department of Transportation to administer this nonemergency transportation program. The Department of Transportation has subcontracted with various private transportation providers to provide these services.

I. OIG's Findings Regarding Nonemergency Transportation Services:

Upon audit, OIG found that one transportation provider had allegedly provided nonemergency transportation services for which the Texas Health and Human Services Commission had improperly claimed reimbursement by Medicaid.

As set out in OIG’s report, Nonemergency Medical Transportation Costs in the State of Texas, 35 of the 100 sampled nonemergency transportation claims sampled were found by the auditors to be unallowable or partially unallowable. Reasons for denial included:

  • Nonemergency transportation was allegedly provided by drivers who did not have a criminal background check or who had a prohibited criminal history on file with the subcontractor.
  • The Medicaid beneficiary allegedly cancelled the transportation request in advance of the trip or was a “no-show” at the origination address.
  • The Medicaid beneficiary allegedly did not receive a Medicaid-covered health care service on the transportation date.
  • The Medicaid claims were paid at a premium rate applicable for transportation between two counties when the transportation was actually provided within the same county.

II. Recommendations:

In light of these findings, we recommend that providers review their practices to ensure that these and other specific risk areas regularly encountered in the provision of nonemergency transportation services are incorporated in their Compliance Plan and assessed as part of the provider's recurring compliance review activities. In this heightened enforcement environment it is essential that ambulance and nonemergency transportation providers continue to take steps to ensure that all applicable statutory and regulatory provisions are met.

Liles Parker attorneys have represented both ambulance and non-emergency transportation providers reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid. Should your transportation company be audited, give us a call. For a free consultation call: 1 (800) 475-1906.