Yes. In addition to demanding recoupments and payments, Recovery Audit Contractors can also deny payment of pending reimbursement claims and initiate payments review. These can lead to substantial cash flow issues for providers who rely on regular reimbursements from Medicare.
If a RAC finds evidence of healthcare fraud, it can also refer providers to CMS, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and other federal authorities – and these referrals can lead to federal investigations that may ultimately result in civil or criminal charges.