A Columbus home healthcare company owes Ohio’s Medicaid program more than $700,000 after billing
for services provided by unqualified staff and care given without a prior authorization from a
physician, a state audit found.
The overpayments to Ziman Home Healthcare occurred during a three-year period ending June 30,
2014, and accounted for nearly 42 percent of the payments it received from the tax-funded health
care program for Ohio’s poor and disabled.
Auditors found 62 services provided by ineligible staff. One aide did not have first aid
certification, two others had lapses in certification and six aides did not complete 12 hours of
in-service continuing education.
“The well-being of patients should be the priority of every Medicaid provider,” state Auditor
Dave Yost said in a statement. “This one jeopardized the health of those in its care by allowing
unqualified employees to provide medical services.”
Auditors also found that claims for 188 services were submitted for payment before a physician
signed required plans of care. Another 39 services had plans never signed by a doctor and six
others had no plans at all.
In all, the audit examined a sample of 794 services and found 388 errors, resulting in
overpayments totaling $671,678. With interest, Ziman owes
Article source: https://health.einnews.com/article/327718810/Bo9tnaZUqhCcEcoD?ref=rss&ecode=uiQ1mLaH2KVPSS4e