CMS established the UPICs to consolidate program integrity activities formally performed by the Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs), Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs), and Medicaid Integrity Contractors. As a result, UPICs are the only program integrity contractors that monitor both the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) and Medicaid programs. UPICs are responsible for identifying and protecting against fraud, waste, and abuse using both pre-payment medical reviews and post-payment audits. UPIC audits should be taken very seriously as they can result in high-dollar extrapolated overpayment demands, payment suspensions, and referral to law enforcement for additional review.
AI Impersonates Clinicians: What You Need to Know
Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering everyday medical workflows—from documentation support and patient messaging to clinical decision support and triage tools. While these technologies can improve efficiency in private practice settings, a recent Pennsylvania lawsuit highlights an important and emerging risk: AI systems that appear to “act like clinicians” may be crossing into the unlicensed practice of medicine.
by Justina DeBruzzi, Client Services Support at TLD Systems
May 11, 2026
By justina
0 Comments
With the inception of the world wide web and storing patient information electronically, offices have had to trust software vendors, cloud services, and third-party partners with their most sensitive information — ePHI.
But trust alone is not a control.
“I am in Virginia and I have read through the LCD and billing guidelines for Palmetto GBA several times regarding coverage for routine foot care. It is very specific about when CPT 11720 and CPT 11721 will be covered, but it is not specific about CPT 11055, CPT 11056 and CPT 11057. My interpretation is that for coverage of CPT 11055-CPT 11057, there must be a systemic condition with class findings and if there are no systemic conditions that would qualify for coverage, modifier -GY should be used and -GA if an ABN is on file. I am wondering if CPT 11055-CPT 11057 are also covered with primary diagnosis code of L85.1 with appropriate secondary diagnosis similar to how CPT 11720 and CPT 11721 are covered for mycotic nails with primary diagnosis of B35.1 with appropriate secondary diagnosis. Are callus codes (CPT 11055-CPT 11057) covered with the primary diagnosis of L85.1 (or similar) and a secondary diagnosis of infection, pain, or difficulty walking? Or are they only covered with systemic conditions and class findings?