The Many and Varied Types of Fraud and Abuse in Electrodiagnostic Medicine Peter A. Grant, M.D. November 15th, 2014 A.A.P.M.&R. – San Diego . Peter A. Grant, M.D. Past President – American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine Diplomate - American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Diplomate – American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine Specialist in EDX Fraud & Abuse (15 years) AANEM Accredited EDX Laboratory DISCLAIMER Please note that any and all comments made in this lecture are mine and NOT the AAPM&R or the AANEM or any other organization. Outline of Presentation Why EDX Fraud & Abuse? What constitutes “Quality EDX” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse Resources EDX Laboratory Accreditation Fraud Trends & “Red Flags” Reimbursement Cuts & EDX Fraud and Abuse WHAT’S THE CONNECTION? “These cuts were, most definitely, due to the increased utilization of the NCS codes” (Jonathan Blum – Deputy Director CMS) So…. The Reimbursement Cuts were a direct response to Fraud & Abuse in EDX. Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse LEGAL MEASURE OF QUALITY Community, regional, or national standard of care for EDX evaluations. Current & Historical EDX practices in your community. What AANEM (with endorsement of AAN and AAPM&R) promotes and publishes as standards for EDX exams to be appropriate, accurate, and necessary. Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse THE MANY FACES OF POOR QUALITY Inaccurate Diagnosis Wrong Diagnosis Missed Diagnosis Overdiagnosis Excessive, Inapproriate, or Insufficient Testing Excessive or Inappropriate Charges Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Common to All Abusive & Fraudulent EDX Emphasis is on $$$ and Not on Quality EDX Studies/Patient Care Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Qualitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse MOBILE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES A true case … Husband & Wife involved in MVA Referred by chiropractor to have EDX Studies performed in chiropractors office Chiropractor bills/collects $ Mobile Diagnostic Lab (MDL) bills/collects $ for the husband and $ for the wife Case # 1 All diagnoses made by MDL later found to be erroneous Poor Quality / Abuses 1. Excessive Charges - $14K & $12K 2. Excessive, Unnecessary, & Inappropriate Testing - (> 20 nerves tested in each – incl Bilateral Phrenics!) 3. Inaccurate Diagnoses Another true case… 47 yr old man with R leg weakness Primary care MD orders EDX MDL comes into his office to perform EDX study (NCS Only) Patient dxd with “Peroneal mononeuropathy at fibular head involving only motor fibers” (??) Repeat EDX study 3 weeks later (by ABEM EDX Consultant) found classic ALS (Hx, PE, & EDX) Case # 2 Patient treated with Bob Miller at ALS clinic in San Francisco before he died. (MDL billed patient >$7,000!!!) Poor Quality / Abuses 1. Inaccurate Diagnosis 2. Excessive Charges 3. Excessive, Unnecessary, & Inappropriate Testing Mobile Diagnostic Laboratories Basics of How They Work Mobile Dx Labs Basics of How They Work Marketed to Potential Referral Providers “Why send EDX studies out when you can profit by having EDX studies performed in your own office?” Typical Target Providers Family Physicians Internists Other MDs/DOs/FNPs/PAs Chiropractors Mobile Dx Labs Basics of How They Work Provider Makes Referral MVA, MC, Privates all billed now Technician Sent to Providers Office I have seen them sent >2000 miles! Mobile Dx Labs Basics of How They Work NCS Exam Performed Most (if not all) Motor Studies Most (if not all) Sensory Studies Most F-waves & H-reflexes Sometimes SSEPs and DSEPs Sometimes MS Ultrasound performed No EMG performed (? Surface EMG) No good Hx or PE performed!!! Mobile Dx Labs Basics of How They Work Provider bills “Technical Component” MD at MDL “homebase” interprets NCSs MD at MDL “homebase” charges “Professional Component” MD at MDL “homebase” makes diagnoses and sends report to provider Mobile Dx Labs Basics of How They Work “New & Improved” (Mutated) MDLs Changes to address “red flags” Marketed to potential NCS Interpreters MDL enlists physicians to interpret NCS for a set fee Fee is per each nerve or per whole NCS Mobile Dx Labs Basics of How They Work “New & Improved” (Mutated) MDLs MDL #2 otherwise looks and acts like #1 MDL markets to referring providers MDL sends out EDX technician to perform No good Hx or PE performed Excessive number of nerves is norm Features Common to Mobile Diagnostic EDX Labs Features Common to Mobile Diagnostic Labs “Shot Gun” excessive # of NCSs Templated – same nerves every study Technician performs studies Poor quality NCSs No good HX / PE to guide exam Inaccurate diagnoses Features Common to Mobile Diagnostic Labs Poor Quality NCSs Interference very common Inaccurate marker placement Inappropriate electrode placement (e.g. not on motor point) Inappropriate stimulation – too low or too high (with volume conduction). All lead to inaccurate and unreliable results! Features Common to Mobile Diagnostic Labs Inaccurate Dxs Often dx radiculopathy based on F-waves (no EMG) Often see multiple diagnoses (multilevel/bilateral radiculopathies) Often see diagnoses that make no neurophysiologic sense Features Common to Mobile Diagnostic Labs Emphasis on profits - not on accuracy MDL “home base” is usually far away Previously was mainly MVA patients Now billing more private carriers & even Medicare/Tricare (FBI/US AG) AMA-CPT Coding Book To address Mobile Dx Labs Revised in 2013 “Waveforms must be reviewed on site in real time, and the technique must be adjusted, as appropriate, as the test proceeds…” “Reports must be prepared on site by the examiner…” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Qualitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse HAND-HELD DEVICES Hand-held Devices Deleted 27 slides from presentation Bigger issue 2006 – 2010. AANEM/AAPM&R/AAN addressed As of 1/1/10 given CPT code 95905 Pays much less than standard NCSs Can be billed once per limb only Hand-held Devices CONTINUED PROBLEMS Often don’t use new CPT 95905 Use HHD to substantiate “need” for surgery, injection, or other Rx ($$) Still in wrong hands – not in offices of those that can best dx appropriately Most diagnoses are missed (my slides) Poorly diagnoses CTS / GPN / UN@E Hand-held Devices CONTINUED PROBLEMS No info re: amp / dur / conduction block Cannot assess prognosis Diagnose radiculopathies without EMG! “Shotgun” - excessive number of NCSs Preset battery of NCSs – cannot change No individual results until test completed Hand-held Devices CONTINUED PROBLEMS Cannot change focus during testing Company promotes serial “monitoring” Slick marketing dupes providers Company says no diagnoses – “only interpretations” therefore no liability Must tell providers they are legally liable when they sign bottom line of report Hand-held Devices TESTING FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME Median Sensory to 3rd/Long ONLY No comparison Med vs. Rad or Med vs. Uln No Med vs Uln Motor Abnormal by absolute values only No ability to assess Conduction Block No EMG How SENSITIVE would I be with all of these limitations !?!?!? Hand-held Devices PROMOTES UNNECESSARY TESTING For “non-radicular” back pain one company recommends: Bilateral Peroneal Motors Bilateral Peroneal F-Waves Bilateral Tibial Motors Bilateral Tibial F-Waves Left or Right Sural Sensory 9 NCSs FOR NON-RADICULAR LOW BACK PAIN!! Hand-held Devices NOT USED AS INTENDED??? Comments from CEO of HHD company: Re: their HHD being used by surgeons to justify CTDs - “I would never argue that this technology should be used for surgical decision making.” Re: liability issue - “We are an equipment manufacturer - we have no (medical) liability.” “Complicated and involved cases should be referred to specialty trained Neurologists and Physiatrists”. Hand-held Devices NEW DEVICE Assessment of single or bilateral surals Gives velocity and amplitude Don’t position correctly can get smaller amplitude (and slowed velocity) Make diagnosis based on only this data! Treatment (meds & other interventions) based on only this data! Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Device has changed names multiple times (to avoid litigation and to optimize reimbursement) Stimulation applied by probe to surface of extremity (over dermatome). Patient response REQUIRED (as stimulus intensity ’s patient instructed to say “I feel it now”). Also called “voltage-actuated sensory nerve conduction threshold” or vsNCT. Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Used & promoted by Pain Medicine Clinics Usually have no EDX training Anesthesiologists, FPs, IMs, Peds (?), etc. Often used to justify need for injections Largest company states is “97% sensitive while standard EMG is 37% sensitive in diagnosing radiculopathy” Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Supporters formed organization called “American Association of Sensory Electrodiagnostic Medicine” When we were AAEM they were AASM When we changed to AANEM they changed to AASEM Logo very similar to AANEM logo (You draw your own conclusions) Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Previously billed as 95904 (Sensory Nerve). Does not provide amplitude, duration, or velocity (required to bill NCSs). Even latency is confusing - ? Time to patient response? Made additions to device when printed waveform required (“Potentiometer”) Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Try to make reports look like standard NCS reports. Never use term “Q.S.T.” Use term “Nerve Conduction Studies” Medicare and most Private Payers deem “Investigational” and do not reimburse (if they see thru the “disguise”!!). Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Despite new grouped NCS codes inappropriate QST exams performed. This is most likely due to many using results to justify injections. Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Biggest deficiency of Q.S.T. is that because of need for patient response it is a SUBJECTIVE TEST. Obviously the results can be changed or biased by patient. Important point to make to insurers or others. Q.S.T. (Quantitative Sensory Testing) Other Reasons QST Not Quality EDX QST does not measure necessary response parameters of amplitude, latency, configuration, AND conduction velocity. Those performing do not have appropriate training, education, experience, expertise, or credentials. Make ludicrous and unsupported claims. Need to address AMA-CPT and go through the appropriate channels to get it’s own code. Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Qualitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Manipulation of Waveforms Manipulation of Waveforms Landmark case in New Jersey Digital copies of waveforms reproduced on multiple patients charts Possibly fictitious patients Altering waveforms to appear to be obtaining new/different data Manipulation of Waveforms Alteration of Waveforms Changes in instrumentation Sweep speed Gain Changes in stimulation Manually moving cursors Relabeling as different side Cutting & pasting waveforms Manipulation of Waveforms Alteration of Waveforms Can make changes in report of: Hardcopy waveforms Digital waveforms Numerical data in graphic form Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Qualitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse “Mail Order EMG/NCS” “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inadequate Training Physicians PTs Technologists Chiropractors Medical Assistants Receptionists Your Mailman (Allow any paying customer) “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Weekend Courses (With Diploma) DVD Online Courses Booklets/Written Course Materials Half Day in Office Instruction Teleconferences “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Some teach you to acquire the data and then it is sent off to be interpreted. Others teach you to acquire and interpret the data. Some courses include instruction in “report writing” (esp. how to make reports look like good quality report). “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Some companies sell small hand-held NCS device that also performs EMG. In weekend course you are instructed in the performance and interpretation of EMG exams. “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Some Claims of “Mail Order” Companies “Learn how to perform EMGs from the comfort of your home and on your schedule. - Starting at $49.99” “Stop referring patients out! Add EMG to your practice today.” “No cost to practice - in fact, testing can generate significant revenues.” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Qualitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing CPT code 95937 = NMJ testing – Repetitive Nerve Stimulation 30 minutes of time needed (pre/work/post) Only NCS billed as separate units – (can be billed multiple times). Historically reimbursed higher Should only be for Myaesthenia Gravis of Lambert-Eaton Syndrome Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Qualitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse UNQUALIFIED PRACTITIONERS Unqualified Practitioners Physical Therapists APTA goal/mandate - to have all PTs nationwide able to legally do EDX Chiropractors Have “added qualifications” in Neurophysiology / NM medicine Other MDs/DOs (or office staff) IM, FP, Podiatrist, Rheum, Ortho, Anes, Pain Med Recent LSBME case – Cardio, Pulm, Pod Types of EDX Fraud & Abuse Mobile EDX Laboratories Hand-held Devices QST (Qualitative Sensory Testing) Manipulation of Waveforms “Mail Order EMG/NCS” Inappropriate CPT 95937 Billing Unqualified Practitioners “The Enemy Within Our Ranks” “Enemy Within Our Ranks” Neurology and PM&R Physicians Participating in MDLs – (LSBME case) Using HHDs, QST, “Mail-Order EMG” Manipulating Waveforms Inappropriately Supervising Techs Allowing MAs, PAs, FNPs, PTs, or others to do part or all of NCS/EMG. “Enemy Within Our Ranks” Some are AANEM members Some are AAN or AAPM&R members Some are ABEM certified! They often tout these “credentials” blatantly… Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse Resources EDX Laboratory Accreditation “Red Flags” for Insurers Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse Resources Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse RESOURCES AANEM POSITION STATEMENTS Proper Performance and Interpretation of Electrodiagnostic Studies Endorsed by AAPM&R & AAN By describing what constitutes QUALITY EDX studies it highlights inaccuracies, insufficiencies, and inappropriateness of MDLs, HHDs, and inadequately trained individuals Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse RESOURCES AANEM POSITION STATEMENTS Used by most all private insurers to draft reimbursement policies Used by CMS to make reimbursement decisions – LCDs (NCD soon?) Accepted authority on quality EDX Use extensively in F&A cases Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse RESOURCES OTHER AANEM POSITION STATEMENTS Recommended Policy for EDX Medicine Model Policy for Needle EMG and NCSs Quality EDX Medicine Controls Costs Who is Qualified to Practice EDX Medicine? Credentialing of Physicians as EDX Consultants Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse RESOURCES OTHER AANEM POSITION STATEMENTS Reporting Results for Needle EMG and NCSs Guidelines for Ethical Behavior Relating to Clinical Practice Issues in NM and EDX Medicine EDX services: Pay for Quality (new) Most are endorsed by AAPM&R and AAN Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX Laboratory Accreditation Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX LAB ACREDITATION Prompted by many Insurance Co. calls to AANEM office Endorsed by AAPM&R Accreditation based on Quality Separate from ABEM Costs will pay for program to run NOT designed as a money maker Renew every 5 years Voluntary Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX LAB ACREDITATION Medical Director CME requirement Application procedure - online Training requirements – PM&R residency Physical facility requirements Reports peer reviewed (a few) Painless application process (Office Mgr can do!) Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX LAB ACREDITATION Ensures quality EDX studies Multiple mechanisms to keep out F & A Insurance/Payers Acceptance EDX studies authorized more easily More EDX referrals Better interactions / communications ?? Better reimbursement?? Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX LAB ACREDITATION All quality labs need to become accredited! Working with private insurers and CMS: ? January 2016 Deadline Only reimburse EDX studies done in an accredited lab. Possibly separate fee structure for accredited and non-accredited labs. Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX LAB ACREDITATION Our way to “take back” our specialty! Sleep labs & Mammography are just a few that did this with positive results. For anyone in this room it is EASY! May need legislation – been to Capitol Hill twice already. No Good Reason Not To Do It !! Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX Fraud Trends & “Red Flags” Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Presentations to FBI, OIG, CMS, NHCAA and multiple Private Insurers I tell them what to look for – how to find EDX F&A EDX practices that have any of these “red flags” will be at higher risk of review, audit, claim denials, or prosecution. Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS In 2013 (and 2014) EDX studies are on the OIG’s “Hit List” (Office of Inspector General Work Plan). “The use of EDX testing for inappropriate financial gain poses a growing vulnerability to Medicare.” (Not small potatoes anymore!) Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS AMA-CPT Coding Book Change for 2013 “Waveforms must be reviewed on site in real time, and the technique must be adjusted, as appropriate, as the test proceeds…” “Reports must be prepared on site by the examiner…” Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Growing movement to require physician billing EDX studies to have residency training in PM&R or Neurology. LCD’s – Medicare Regional Carriers NCD’s – Medicare nationally Private health insurances coverage policies “Scope of Practice” issue poses problem Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Limiting reimbursement to PM&R & Neuro physicans only would have THE LARGEST effect on EDX Fraud & Abuse Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Before 1/1/13 Excess # nerve studies – esp. 95900, 95903, 95904 Excess $ charged per nerve study “Open Season” for NCS billing!!! After 1/1/13 Grouped/Bundled NCS billing schedule Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS After 1/1/13 1-2 nerve conduction studies = 95907 3-4 nerve conduction studies = 95908 5-6 nerve conduction studies = 95909 7-8 nerve conduction studies = 95910 9-10 nerve conduction studies = 95911 11-12 nerve conduction studies = 95912 13 + nerve conduction studies = 95913 Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Too many NCS performed billing 95913 > 70% Scheduling patients to perform NCS’s on separate limbs on separate days. UE split from LE can be acceptable Lack of appropriate training/expertise of MD/DO or NCS Technician Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Use of inappropriate EDX equipment (e.g. – QST device or Hand Held Device) Insurers requesting EDX equipment brand, model and possibly serial # Look for NCS billed without EMG <10% of time acceptable Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Repeating EDX studies for “monitoring” Esp. seen with generalized neuropathy No medical evidence to support this practice Sometimes every 3-6 months! Can be seen with other diagnoses Possibly appropriate in nerve trauma Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Billing CPT 95937 Inappropriately NMJ testing – Repetitive Nerve Stimulation 30 minutes of time needed (pre/work/post) Only NCS billed as separate (therefore multiple) units. Historically reimbursed higher Should only be for NMJ disorders (Myaesthenia Gravis of Lambert-Eaton) Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Lack of medical necessity for NCS/EMG Professional and technical components billed separately Promotion to Health Care Providers (MDs and others) as “money maker”. Location of services not in office of NCS reviewer/biller. Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Surface EMG disguised and billed as Needle/Pin EMG NCS waveforms reviewed at later time NCS waveforms reviewed far away NCS waveforms being duplicated or manipulated Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS What % of EDX studies billed are NCS ONLY? PM&R = 5% Neuro = 10% IDTFs = 80% Podiatry = 100% CBR201406: Electrodiagnostic Testing Dates of Service 1/1/2013 – 12/31/2013 Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS What % of EDX studies billed are NCS ONLY? 24 Specialties = > 30% 15 Specialties = > 50% 20% cut-off excludes all providers who inappropriately perform only NCS Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse EDX FRAUD TRENDS & RED FLAGS Average Weighted NCS Services per Beneficiary PM&R = 7.74 Neuro = 8.45 IDTF = 14.07 (s with sicker/more complicated patients – But that is NOT why IDTFs are so high) Addressing EDX Fraud & Abuse If you encounter F & A or if you are asked to review cases of suspected F&A Feel free to contact me (541) 621-2297 peter@petergrantmd.com Contact AAPM&R or AANEM staff AAPM&R – Jennie Jackson (Manager, Health Finance & Reimbursement) AANEM – Millie Birr (Health Policy Director)