Compliance examination findings released Tuesday by Auditor of State Keith Faber revealed a Columbus-area home health agency received $661,717 in improper Medicaid payments over two years. As part of the audit findings, Faber's office is now seeking a payback of $760,295 from Mercy Home Health Services LLC, which includes added interest, according to the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's official report.
The Ohio Department of Medicaid, serving approximately 2.9 million people, including the economically disadvantaged, the elderly, and those with disabilities, works with bodies like the State Auditor to ensure compliance with reimbursement standards. With its one location in Reynoldsburg, Franklin County, Mercy Home Health Services has received $7.8 million in Medicaid payments to provide over 149,800 home health services. With recommendations given by the auditors, the Department and/or the Ohio Attorney General's Office are expected to take steps to recover any funds that were paid out improperly.
The detailed audit report highlighted several issues at Mercy Home Health Services, such as care services billed without the required care plans, overlapping service times, and, notably, a lack of documentation for certain services rendered.
The full extent of the audit's findings and the identified issues is publicly accessible on the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's website. However, Mercy Home Health Services has opted to remain silent, offering no official response to the claims of financial indiscretions made against it. The next steps will likely involve efforts by state agencies to rectify these improper payments.
