Medicare Compliance: The Perils of Unreported Practice Location Changes

Medicare’s intricate rules create a formidable obstacle for U.S. healthcare providers and physicians. While audits of medical records often dominate the compliance conversation, a less obvious but equally treacherous issue looms: outdated practice location data. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) imposes strict mandates, outlined in the Medicare Program Integrity Manual (IOM 100-08, Chapter 10), requiring providers to report practice location changes within 30 days. Failing to comply can unleash a torrent of repercussions, from verification audits to the loss of billing privileges. 

The Verification Gauntlet: Why Location Data Matters