The process includes identifying, tracking, and reporting of these voluntary refunds. Fiscal intermediaries generally receive voluntary refunds in the form of an adjustment bill, but may receive some voluntary refunds as checks or reported as credit balances.
Carriers generally receive checks.
Substantial funds are returned to the trust funds each year through such voluntary refunds. The Compliance Program Guidances are voluntary while the CIAs are mandatory. Due to these new initiatives, it is anticipated that Medicare contractors will experience an increase in the number of voluntary refunds. These Guidances describe the fundamental elements of a compliance program. OIG will be issuing compliance program guidance for additional entities in the future.