CMS issues final rule on Medicare overpayments

Editor's Note

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on February 11 released its final rule for reporting and repaying Medicare overpayments, as required by the Affordable Care Act.

The rule requires providers and suppliers to report and return any overpayments they identify within 6 years of receipt, down from 10 years that was in the proposed rule.

Once overpayments are identified, providers have 60 days to return them. Failing to report overpayments can result in liability under the False Claims Act, which means the provider could face financial penalties or be excluded from billing CMS programs.