What is the primary focus of Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs)?

The primary focus of Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs) is to perform data analysis for fraud detection within healthcare programs, particularly those associated with Medicare and Medicaid. PSCs are typically tasked with identifying and preventing improper payments and fraudulent activities by analyzing claims data and looking for unusual patterns or anomalies that may signal fraud. This proactive approach helps in maintaining the integrity of healthcare systems by ensuring that resources are used appropriately and that beneficiaries receive the care they legitimately need.

While monitoring pharmacy claims and reimbursement for hospital stays are relevant aspects of healthcare management, they do not encapsulate the broader and more specialized role of PSCs in the realm of fraud detection. Performing clinical trials falls outside the remit of PSCs as they are not involved in research activities but rather focus on safeguarding the program’s integrity through vigilance and data scrutiny.