A recent ruling in the Tennessee General
Assembly
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/acts/106/pub/pc0486.pdf mandates
that an authorization, C-31 Medical Waiver and Consent, be
obtained for the release of medical records for workers comp
cases. Here is a summary of the bill and a copy of the waiver
form:
http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/wc_2009OverstreetBillSummary.pdf.
It is incumbent upon the employer to obtain
the signed release; however, the provider can be held liable for
releasing information without the signed C-31 Medical Waiver and
Consent.
RACs CMS has published a new phase-in
schedule for RAC audits, and we dont expect RAC audits to begin in
TN until November, 2009.
The AHIMA Clinical Terminology and
Classification Practice Council has developed a toolkit to assist
members in preparing for the program.
The toolkit includes the following resources:
Program background
Overview of audit process
Preparation checklist
Hierarchy of Authority
Sample Policy and Procedure
Sample RAC Coordinator Job description
Education materials
Sample Appeal Letters
Appeal Submission Checklist
Resource links
The toolkit can be located in its entirety at
http://www.ahima.org/infocenter/practice_tools.asp
