CMS Using Medicare Termination to Squash Doctors Involved in Overprescribing Opioids
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
Recently it has come to our attention that there may be a nationwide effort by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to squelch physicians who prescribe opioids and other narcotic medications. We have seen letters sent out by CMS MACs to physicians notifying them that their Medicare program billing privileges have been terminated because CMS has identified them as a provider who is overprescribing.
Nationwide Effort to Run “Pill Mills” Out of Business.
We are well aware of efforts by the various law enforcement authorities at the state and federal level to prosecute and put out of business physicians identified as “pill mills” and the pharmacies that fill their prescriptions. These include surprise audits and inspections, followed by administrative actions or criminal prosecutions, […]
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
