Recovery audits: Practical update for neurology practices.

Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) are contracted by the federal government to review providers' medical billing. Experience has demonstrated substantial savings to the strapped Medicare fund, fueling increased scrutiny. RAC audits are constrained to published focus areas, and its targeted approach makes use of sophisticated analytics. Although some of the analyses used by the RACs may be proprietary, much of the auditing process is transparent, allowing providers to prepare their practices in advance of audits. This article reviews the current state of RAC auditing and offers strategies to minimize financial pain and leverage the process for competitive advantage.