A Medicare Provider Reminder From CMS and OIG: Report Your CHOW

medical license defense

medicare providerBy: Matthew Fischer

Due to financial and regulatory constraints, many companies are merging or purchasing other healthcare companies.  However, prior to closing any transaction, these companies need to first determine whether government agencies must be provided advance notice of the change of ownership (CHOW). As an example, if Medicare is involved, these companies might be required to report the CHOW.

This issue is not one to dismiss or ignore because if companies fail to comply, they face significant penalties.  In a recent “MLN Connects” newsletter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a reminder to report changes in ownership.  The newsletter cites to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) report from 2016 that found a substantial amount of ownership changes were not being reported. Continue reading