Program Safeguard Contractor

Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity

IntegriGuard is one of 12 companies nationwide designated as a Program Safeguard Contractor (PSC) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

In 1999, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the PSC program to support the newly created Medicare Integrity Program (MIP). MIP was created as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability act (HIPAA) of 1996. Part of MIP's purpose is to strengthen CMS' ability to deter fraud and abuse in the Medicare Program by giving CMS specific contracting authority, consistent with Federal Acquisition Regulations, to enter into contracts with entities to promote the integrity of the Medicare program. These MIP specialty contractors, or PSCs, can take on some, all, or any subset of the work associated with the following payment safeguard functions:

• Medical review
• Cost report audit
• Data analysis
• Provider education and fraud detection
• Prevention

As one of twelve PSCs in the nation, IntegriGuard was awarded the PSC designation in 1999. CMS awards PSC contracts through a competitive procurement process. CMS issues Request for Proposals (RFP) to the 12 PSC contractors who are pre-qualified for this Medicare work. CMS reviews all submitted proposals and awards the contract based on standardized criteria.

As a PSC, IntegriGuard has held numerous contracts. Currently, IntegriGuard holds two contracts:

• Midwest Integrity Center
• Florida Benefit Integrity Support Center

For additional information regarding the MIP authority and/or PSCs visit CMS' MIP Web site.