Since the last few decades technology has grown at a greater pace, and so do the scams. Fraudulent activities have led to a surge in cases of NEMT billing fraud. The Non-Emergency Medical Transportation business plays a pivotal role in ensuring consumer access to healthcare services.
However, due to fraudulent practices, consumers are concerned about flagging false positives and tamper-proof documents. Thus understanding these fraudulent activities is essential.
Navigating causes and finding possible solutions is crucial to protect patients, service providers and the whole NEMT industry.
Causes of Fraud and Abuse in NEMT Billing
Billing Discrepancies
One of the most common causes of fraud is discrepancies in NEMT billing. This can occur due to billing or those services that are never offered. For instance, phantom trips or fabricated attendant services.
Besides, there are other forms of illegal billing practices, like unidentified payments through overbilling. This happens when NEMT providers have no actual record of trips and inflate service costs. Another example is overcharging, in which bills contain hidden costs.
Lost Documentation
The unavailability of real documentation poses a serious threat to the goodwill of the NEMT system. Missing trip information, fake medical certificates, and fake vehicle registration vouchers all come under tenets of deceptive practices.
Likewise, billing with inaccurate mileage calculations and claiming more than necessary routes travelled are all illegal tactics that break trust in NEMT business.
Incomplete Records
This potentially results when NEMT providers do not maintain copies of daily trip records from the point of booking to the point where the passenger is dropped off. When this happens, staff generate bills without supplying proper records to prove the evidence for everything.
That’s why it is said: “If you’ve no record or evidence, you cannot claim anything!”
Insider Threats
However, we all know that NEMT services are meant to provide essential medical appointments and their possible treatments to patients. But, due to some black sheep, this service has entered into exploitation.
This can include claims for NEMT rides that were consumed for things that had nothing to do with NEMT services.
Billing Twice
Billing again and again for the same service by changing service dates is yet another misleading tactic intended to extract duplicate payments.
On the other hand, Kickback schemes erupt the system through free rides. They offer it to nursing home staff. Especially in return for guiding patients towards specific NEMT companies.
This not only threatens the competitive landscape but also leads to monetary gains over patient’s needs.
Solutions To Prevent Fraud in NEMT Billing
End-To-End Visibility
Use an automated software solution or partner with a reliable NEMT billing service provider. If you’re thinking of employing software make sure that it offers end-to-end visibility around all corners of NEMT operation.
On the contrary, if you’re planning to outsource the billing process, then hire those providers with a good repo. This is both an integral and complex part of NEMT practice. It can increase the reviewed captured, minimize liability risk and also streamline workflow.
Data-Driven Approach
Having access to information that offers real-time visibility and transparency in the patient care journey is essential when running NEMT operations.
Checking operations through proper reporting and dashboard tools can help highlight any problems encountered within your NEMT system.
Proper Reporting
Either you integrate software to create customized reporting or you do things manually, you have to back up your billing process through proper reporting. These reports will:
- Flag possible duplicate billing
- Highlight pricing to detect any outlier
- Avoid miscalculations in miles submitted in the trip record
Bridge Communication Gaps
Errors and problems take place in those organizations where there’s poor communication between providers and payers. Thus bridging this gap through real-time communication from both sides helps to ensure zero fraudulent activity.
Final Word
Fraud and abuse have a significant impact on the NEMT industry. However, by remaining compliant, employing a strong technological hand, and managing things in coordination across the NEMT system, providers can minimize risk.
By safeguarding patients’ rights, visibility and transparency, and enabling an ethical culture, we can handle a more resilient NEMT system.
