Medicare Audits Need High Index of Suspicion

While the standard Medicare appeals process applies to the RACs, the timelines for stopping recoupment of an improper payment are shorter than some of the standard appeals deadlines.

So, if physicians are dealing with an RAC dispute, they must file the request for redetermination within 30 days to halt recoupment of the payment, rather than the 120 days allowed for most Medicare disputes, Mr. Gaines said.