What is NOT a responsibility of Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs)?

Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) are primarily established to combat Medicare fraud and abuse. Their responsibilities typically include investigating allegations of fraud, conducting audits of provider records to ensure compliance and identify discrepancies or issues, and often initiating administrative actions related to these investigations, which may involve suspending payments to providers pending further review.

The option stating that initiating administrative actions to suspend payments is not a responsibility of ZPICs is correct. While ZPICs play a critical role in identifying potentially fraudulent activity and may recommend actions based on their findings, the actual authority to suspend payments lies with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or other higher administrative bodies, rather than with the ZPICs themselves. This delineation of responsibility helps maintain an organized oversight structure, ensuring that fiscal decisions align with legal standards and appropriate level of authority.

In context, the other responsibilities—investigating fraud allegations, administering audits, and taking actions related to suspected fraud—are indeed part of ZPIC functions, emphasizing their role in protecting Medicare resources and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.