HHS OIG Warns Physicians About Entering into Arrangements with Telemedicine Companies

by JDSupra

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS’s) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently issued a fraud alert for physicians entering telemedicine arrangements. The warning was issued on the same day the U.S. Department of Justice charged 36 people in schemes involving $1.2 billion in fraudulent telemedicine, durable medical equipment, and cardiovascular and cancer testing. Among suspicious characteristics to look out for are patients who are recruited by the telemedicine company, a lack of sufficient information from the patient to assess the medical necessity of items or services, telemedicine companies that pay the physician based on volume of items or services, and telemedicine companies that only offer items and services to federal payers and don't accept private insurance.

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