Library: Policy
317:30-3-2.1. Program Integrity Audits/Reviews
Revised 9-1-19
(a) This section applies to all contracted providers. The following words and terms, when used in this Section, shall have the following meaning:
(1) "Contractor/provider" means any person or organization that has signed a provider agreement with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA).
(2) "Error Rate" means the percentage of dollars of audited claims found to be billed in error.
(3) "Extrapolation" means the methodology of estimating an unknown value by projecting, with a calculated precision (i.e., margin of error), the results of a probability sample to the universe from which the sample was drawn.
(4) "Probability sample" means the standard statistical methodology in which a sample is selected based on the theory of probability (a mathematical theory used to study the occurrence of random events).
(5) "Sample" means a statistically valid number of claims obtained from the universe of claims audited/reviewed.
(6) "Universe" means all paid claims or types of paid claims audited/reviewed during a specified timeframe.
(b) An OHCA audit/review includes an examination of provider records, by either an on-site or desk audit. Claims may be examined for compliance with provider contracts and/or relevant Federal and State laws and regulations, as well as for practices indicative of fraud, waste, and/or abuse of the SoonerCare program, including, but not limited to, inappropriate coding and consistent patterns of overcharging.
(c) An initial audit/review report contains preliminary findings. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of notice regarding the audit/review report, a provider may elect to:
(1) Remit the identified overpayment to the OHCA;
(2) Request informal reconsideration of the initial audit report pursuant to Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:30-3-2.1(d); or
(3) Request a formal appeal of the initial audit report pursuant to OAC 317:30-3-2.1(e).
(d) If a provider requests an informal reconsideration, the provider, within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of notice of the audit/review report, shall:
(1) Produce any and all written existing documentation that is relevant to, and could reasonably be used to clarify or rebut, the findings identified in the initial report. Documents submitted for reconsideration shall not be altered or created for purposes of the audit; and
(2) Specifically identify those claims and findings to be reviewed for reconsideration. Any claims or findings not specifically identified by the provider for reconsideration will be deemed to have been waived by the provider for purposes of both the informal reconsideration and the formal appeal, if requested. The reconsideration findings will replace the initial findings and be identified as the final audit report.
(e) A request for an informal reconsideration does not limit a provider's right to a formal appeal as long as any formal appeal of the final audit report is received by the OHCA Legal Docket Clerk within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of notice of the final audit report. However, all claims and findings not specifically identified by the provider upon an informal reconsideration request will be deemed to have been waived by the provider for purposes of a subsequent formal audit appeal. Additionally, the provider must specifically identify each claim to be contested on appeal, and any remaining appealable claim that has not already been waived during the informal reconsideration and is not specifically identified in the initial appeal filing, will be deemed waived on appeal.
(f) If the provider does not request either an informal reconsideration or a formal appeal within the specified timeframe, the initial report will become the final audit report and the provider will be obligated to reimburse OHCA for any identified overpayment, which amount shall be immediately due and payable to OHCA. OHCA may, at its discretion, withhold the overpayment amount from the provider's future payments.
(g) When OHCA conducts a probability sample audit, the sample claims are selected on the basis of recognized and generally accepted sampling methods. If an audit reveals an error rate exceeding ten percent (10%), OHCA shall extrapolate the error rate to the universe of the dollar amount of the audited paid claims.
(1) When using statistical sampling, OHCA uses a sample that is sufficient to ensure a minimum confidence level of ninety-five percent (95%).
(2) When calculating the amount to be recovered, OHCA ensures that all overpayments and underpayments reflected in the probability sample are totaled and extrapolated to the universe from which the sample was drawn.
(3) OHCA does not consider non-billed services or supplies when calculating underpayments and overpayments.
(h) If a probability sample audit reveals an error rate of ten percent (10%) or less, the provider will be required to reimburse OHCA for any overpayments noted during the audit/review.
