Federal Reports

Physicians managing center-based ESRD patients can be paid an MCP that covers most outpatient dialysis-related physician services provided to each Medicare beneficiary who is being treated for ESRD. , The MCP varies based on the beneficiary’s age and the number of visits during each calendar month in which the beneficiary receives ESRD-related services. Physicians report (to Medicare contractors) separate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes based on the beneficiary’s age and whether they provide ESRD-related services to the beneficiary on one visit per month, two to three visits per month, or four or more visits per month. A physician who provides ESRD-related services to a beneficiary during one visit per month receives Medicare payment at a lower payment rate. A physician receives Medicare payment at a relatively higher payment rate when services are provided during two to three visits per month. To receive the highest payment amount, a physician has to provide services during at least four ESRD-related services’ visits per month. Physicians managing ESRD patients who dialyze at home are paid a single monthly rate based solely on the age of the beneficiary. Physicians must furnish at least one face-to-face patient visit per month for the home dialysis MCP service; however, Medicare contractors may waive the monthly face-to-face requirement on a case-by-case basis.

The EPA needs to document and follow established procedures to ensure scientifically sound decisions regarding pesticides.

A procurement manager was terminated from employment on May 21, 2021, after our investigation found she violated Amtrak policies by repeatedly mischaracterizing the relationship with and misrepresenting actions by our office to intimidate and coerce Amtrak employees and vendors from taking certain actions or into conducting certain actions on multiple occasions. Although the employee admitted to her misconduct, she was also evasive and provided inconsistent responses to our agents during her interview with us.