CMS Releases RAC Phase-In Strategy

CMS released its strategy for phasing in the nationwide rollout of the RAC program last week, and RAC scrutiny of providers is set to begin immediately. According to CMS's phase-in strategy, RACs may immediately commence automated review of claims in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Automated review will begin by the end of summer in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Kansas, Arkansas, Alaska, Louisiana, West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Connecticut. The RAC program is expected to be in full swing nationwide by the start of 2010.