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Coordinating an Organ TransplantPass-Through BillingGetting ready for a transplant procedure takes a bigcommitment from the member and the member’s family.As a result, we have organ transplant coordinators whobecome the member’s MedStar Family Choice CaseManager. The Case Manager will assist to coordinatecare with the transplant team as well as other providers.The organ transplant coordinator begins the process bycontacting the member to explain the program as wellas completing a detailed medical and social history. Theymake sure the member knows what to expect and answersquestions regarding provider appointments, provideeducation on what labs to expect, medication education,how long the process may take, discuss any addictionconditions and counseling on healthy food and lifestyleoptions. The coordinator stays involved with the memberand the provider office through the entire process.MedStar Family Choice and the Maryland Department ofHealth prohibit pass-through billing. Pass-through billingoccurs when the ordering provider requests and bills fora service, but the service is not performed by the orderingprovider or those under their direct employ. If you are aphysician, practitioner or medical group, you must only billfor services that you or your staff perform. The performingprovider should bill for these services unless otherwiseapproved by MedStar Family Choice.Providers are encouraged to contact Medstar CaseManagement Department at 410-933-2200, option 2 toinquire if prior authorization is needed for pre-transplantspecialty appointments/procedures. When the memberis listed for an organ transplant, the referring physician isresponsible for faxing all clinical documentation to MedStarFamily Choice at 410-933-2205 or 410-933-2209, inorder to obtain authorization. This includes documentationof the facility where the transplant will take place, ICD-10 codes, listing letter, and documents supporting medicalnecessity. Both members and providers can contact ourOrgan Transplant Coordinators at 410-933-2200, option 2.“Per limitations provided in COMAR 10.09.02.04, providersmay only bill Medicaid for services they or their employeeshave actually performed when billing for a service thatincludes both a technical and a professional component.Providers may not bill for services they have subcontractedto be performed by a third party. For example, a Dr. Smithenters into an agreement to pay ABC Consultants directlyto interpret ultrasounds that Dr. Smith has performed. Theagreement does not establish an employer employeerelationship. In this case, Dr. Smith would bill for the serviceusing a modifier TC to indicate that he only performed thetechnical component of the service. Even though Dr. Smithhas an arrangement where he has paid ABC Consultants toperform the professional component, Dr. Smith may not billfor the professional component because neither he nor hisemployees have performed the service. ABC Consultantswould bill the Program for the professional componentonly using the modifier 26.”PCP Auto AssignmentMembers who fail to designate a primary care provider (PCP) after enrolling in MedStar Family Choice will be automaticallyassigned to a PCP that is geographically close to the member’s residence. Members under the age of 21 are automaticallyassigned to EPSDT providers, as appropriate. Members may change PCPs at any time by calling Member Services. If yourname is not listed on the member’s card on the date of service, you are permitted to see the member as long as you areparticipating with MedStar Family Choice and the member is eligible with MedStar Family Choice on the date of service.When possible, we ask that your office assist the member in having their member card changed to reflect the correctprimary care provider by calling Member Services at 888-404-3549. Member rosters continue to be mailed to PCPs ona monthly basis, but this information changes daily and should not be used to determine member eligibility. Therefore,provider offices should be utilizing the state’s EVS line to verify benefits on the date of service. Please contact our Outreachdepartment at 800-905-1722, option 1, if you have more questions regarding eligibility.5

Providers Needed for Community Health EventsMedStar Family Choice is dedicated to community health events and outreach. Many of our events feature healthscreenings for our members along with other fun and exciting activities. With events occurring throughout each year,MedStar Family Choice is always looking for providers to assist with event health screenings.If you cannot participate at an event, MedStar Family Choice can also schedule “wellness days” in your office. The MedStarFamily Choice team can work with you to help make a “wellness day” successful in your office.If you’re interested in joining us in a community or setting up “wellness days” in your office, please call MedStar FamilyChoice Provider Relations at 800-905-1722, option 5.Let’s Decrease Emergency Room Utilization As A TeamMedStar Family Choice is looking to reduce emergency room (ER) utilization in 2019 for minor illnesses or injuries. Asproviders, you can have a meaningful impact on accomplishing this goal. When you see a MedStar Family Choice member,please discuss with them that there are other options to being treated for minor illnesses or injuries. Encourage the member to contact you or your office first before going to the ER unless it is life threatening. If your office provides extended office hours or urgent care services, please educate our members about this availableoption and explain the benefits of not sitting in the ER. Encourage the use of an urgent care facility when appropriate like MedStar PromptCare, Patient First, Express Care orRighttime Medical Care. Explain to the member that it’s more convenient because of the decreased wait time. Help us educate our members on the availability of their Nurse Advise Line benefit. Members can contact a nurse withquestions or concerns about their minor illness or injury 24/7 by calling the nurse hotline at 855-210-6204.Thank you for partnering with us in educating our members on appropriate use of the ER.6

Requirements Pertaining to False Claims and StatementsThis is intended to provide you with information on laws pertaining to the prevention and detection of fraud, waste andabuse, in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. In addition, this article describesthe procedures in place within MedStar Health and MedStar Family Choice for detecting and preventing fraud, waste andabuse. The MedStar Office of Corporate Business Integrity provides all MedStar Health facilities with compliance oversight,billing integrity support, occurrence reporting and resolution, and training and education. MedStar’s Internal Auditdepartment conducts routine, independent audits of business practices, and all financial managers are required to attendtraining on the financial manager’s code of ethics and reporting obligations.Employees, physicians, contractors, and patients are encouraged to report privacy, financial reporting, human resources,and other compliance concerns by making an anonymous and confidential call to the MedStar Integrity Hotline by calling877-811-3411, toll-free. The hotline is available 24 hours a day Employees, physicians, contractors, and patients can alsoemail the compliance officer at ocbi@medstar.net. Any person reporting fraud and abuse may also contact the MedStarFamily Choice Maryland Medicaid compliance director at 410-933-2283. Retaliation for reporting in good faith, an actualor potential violation or problem, or for cooperating in a compliance legal or human resources investigation is expresslyprohibited by MedStar policy. If overpayments related to fraudulent or abusive billing have been identified, we may retractthese payments made to providers. In addition, under certain circumstances (Maryland Medicaid MCO Transmittal No. 82),MedStar Family Choice may be required to notify the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) OIG and Medicaid Fraud Unit(MCFU). These entities may perform their own investigation. Penalties such as fines, loss of licensure or imprisonment canoccur for providers found guilty of fraudulent activity.Federal False Claims ActThe Federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, applies to persons or entities that knowingly and willfully submit,cause to be submitted or conspire to submit a false or fraudulent claim, or that use a false record or statement in supportof a claim for payment to a federally funded program. The phrase “knowingly and willfully” means that the person or entityhad actual knowledge of the falsity of the claim, or acted with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for the truthor falsity of the claim. Persons or entities that violate the Federal False Claims Act are subject to civil monetary penalties(42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7a) and payment of damages due to the federal government. Under the False Claims Act, those whoknowingly submit, or cause another person or entity to submit, false claims for payment of government funds are liablefor three times the government’s damages plus civil penalties. Each year the fines are adjusted for inflation. The FederalFalse Claims Act provides that any person with actual knowledge of false claims or statements submitted to the federalgovernment may bring a False Claims Act action in the government’s name against the person or entity that submitted thefalse claim. This is known as the False Claims Act’s “qui tam” or whistleblower provision. Depending on the outcome of thecase, a whistleblower may be entitled to a portion of the judgment or settlement. The Federal False Claims Act providesprotection to whistleblowers that are retaliated against by an employer for investigating, filing or participating in a FalseClaims Act lawsuit.State False Claims ActsA number of states have enacted false claims acts in an attempt to prevent the filing of fraudulent claims to state fundedprograms. Maryland has a similar law, titled the Maryland False Health Claims Act of 2010, original

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Potomac Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Ambulatory Surgical Center: MedStar Surgery Center at Takoma Park Durable medical equipment companies: American Homecare Equipment Inc, Medic-Aire Medica