Dr. Merrick said CMS revoked his Medicare billing privileges for three years in April.
He claims he is being dropped from the Medicare program because he billed Medicare for 10 patients he didn’t see. However, he argues the billing mistakes were clerical errors. For example, he said in one case a staff member mixed up two patients with similar names.
“I didn’t do anything personally wrong, professionally wrong or unethical,” Dr. Merrick told WBBJ.
He said CMS is questioning $670 billed over a 20-month period. The federal government reviewed 30,000 claims submitted by Dr. Merrick and only 30 billings for 10 patients were identified as improper.
Dr. Merrick appealed CMS’ decision, but his appeal was denied in August. He plans to take his case before an administrative law judge, but there is not a set timeline for that process, according to The Jackson Sun. He has also enlisted the help of former Tennessee Sen. Roy Herron, who is asking Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn., and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to review the case.
Commenting on Dr. Merrick’s situation, Mr. Herron said, “This is the worst and most egregious abuse of an individual by government that I have seen in over a quarter-century of dealing with the government.”
More articles on healthcare finance:
7 hospitals with strong finances
Healthcare executives: Improving the patient experience is key to a healthy bottom line
Tenet shutters 4 regional management offices to cut costs
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
