October 2, 2008

With the controversial Recovery Audit Contractor program going nationwide by 2010, many hospitals are concerned that while the demonstration program recovered $371 million in overpayments to hospitals, more than 96% of the improper payments were overpayments collected from providers and only 4% were underpayments repaid to providers. Further, the research conducted by my guest Michelle O'Daniel, director of member relations with VHA's West Coast office, shows that 31 VHA member hospitals were required to return nearly $46 million to CMS as a result of the audits but that once appealed, approximately 90% of the RAC rulings were overturned. +

For developing countries, physician brain drain continues to be a serious public health concern. But now, some are complaining about the threat of brain drain from private health systems within these regions. +

Ronald Miles, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon, discusses Aspirus Wausau (WI) Hospital's strategy to expand its target area by participating in a domestic medical travel network. +