What Medicare RD providers have to say about carrier audits?

Several Medicare RD providers have shared information with ADA regarding their audit experiences with their Medicare carriers. Here are a few key points from these members:

  • The audit was actually not too bad and I heard back from the carrier in just a few days after I sent in my information.  Make sure you have access to all information about the patient, and make sure your documentation notes are complete.   I was asked to send information on 3 beneficiaries whom I had seen for Medicare MNT services.  The carrier asked for my information for all 3 visits that I had with 2 of my patients, and then documents for 2 of the 3 MNT visits that I provided to a third patient.  After I mailed in everything, I got a letter from the carrier that the audit was complete and no further information was needed.
  • I think documentation was key for the audit.  I made sure all my notes were very complete and covered all components of the MNT- my review of external data such as pertinent labs, my nutrition assessment and diagnosis, why I determined the specific nutrition intervention, the time I spent with the patient, and the follow-up planned.