CMS details RAC expansion plans

CMS has added new documents to its Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) website that provide additional details about the expansion of the program.

CMS plans to have a nationwide RAC program in place by Jan. 1, 2010, which will be managed by four independent RACs. CMS plans to have the program's contractors in place by early 2009, but not operational until Jan. 1, 2010.

The CMS RAC site includes a map of future RAC jurisdictions, as well as a RAC expansion schedule.

Of particular interest, according to a note on the RAC expansion schedule map, is that claims from California will not be available for RAC review during the period of March 2008 through October 2008, due to a transition of the state's Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). The note also states that a similar RAC blackout period is planned for all other states that undergo a MAC transition.