Michael Dowell Quoted in Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine

Los Angeles - Hinshaw partner Michael A. Dowell was quoted in an October 2013 issue of Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine in the article "Meaningful Use Audits Trip Up Some Hospitals."

The article discusses how difficult it is for hospitals to prove to federal auditors that they are meeting the qualifications required to receive Medicare bonus payments. The article goes on to discuss various problems such as auditors not being clear about what they need, the shot time frame and other requirements.

Mr. Dowell mentions the importance of being able to document all information and being able to put it in hard-copy form. He says "CMS has taken the position of, 'If you can't document it, it didn't happen.'" He also believes that most of the audits have gone well without many problems. "The problem is that providers who have a problem have a big problem," he says. It's an all-or-nothing program; a provider could lose all of its EHR bonus payment and be subject to legal action for fraud. "I think we're going to see some substantial fines and penalties in the near future," Mr. Dowell says. "But as long as you tried to do your best, I don't think they're going to ding you."

Read the full article "Meaningful Use Audits Trip Up Some Hospitals," in Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine.