Which statement best describes a CMS Central Office Alert?

• A. A Routine Notice Issued by Local CMS Office
• B. A State Level Memo About a Minor Compliance Issue
• C. A National Fraud Alert About a Scheme
• D. One of Five Fraud Alerts; Prepared by ZPIC If a Scheme Is About to Be Publicized on a National Level, the Case Involves Patient Abuse or a Large Dollar Amount, or the Issue Involves Politically Sensitive Testimony

Answer: (D)

A Central Office Alert is a high-priority, nationwide warning issued by CMS central office about a fraud scheme that could affect the broader program. It isn’t a routine local notice or a minor state memo. This type of alert is one of five fraud alerts and is prepared by a Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) when specific conditions signal elevated risk: the scheme is likely to be publicized on a national level, the case involves patient abuse, involves a large dollar amount, or touches on politically sensitive testimony. These triggers show why the alert should be disseminated broadly to heighten awareness, prompt scrutiny, and guide appropriate actions across jurisdictions.