RCM Medical billing

AR Medical billing
I know when I was in university college and I was reading history of English literature those days I was on the top, I need to realize that time only when I need to be top on the Ar Medical billing.

Check denials on Medicare/ and Medicaid website.

Medicaid send down
Lcd/ Ndc guidline
Hmo plan
Authorization
Modifiers
Bcbs home / host plan
https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare
https://www.cms.gov/
https://www.medicaid.gov/
Job responsibilities:
Company: NorthWest RCM
Software: Procentive,
Specialty : Therapy : psycho-therapy Mental health care,  chemical dependency,  substance abuse,
Used Cpt:  9 Code-  90837,  90835,90832, 
H code-  H2017,  H 2014,  H2015, H0001, H0004; H0046, H2035, H0047,H2012
S code- S9482
T code- T1016 
Company: Pacific Bpo,
Software: Nextgen,
Specialty: Surgery assistant surgeon,
Used Cpt: office visits, 
Company: Fairvalue
Software: Bosonova.
Speciality: cardio
Company: Nothwest
Software: Procentive
Speciality: Therapy
H0004 Behavioral Health Counseling and Therapy- 1-4 units per claim line = 1 session 5-8 units per claim line = 2 sessions 9-12 units per claim line = 3 sessions,

  1. Evaluation & Management (99202–99499)
  2. Anesthesia (00100–01999)
  3. Surgery (10021–69990)
  4. Radiology Procedures (70010–79999)
  5. Pathology and Laboratory Procedures (80047–89398)
  6. Medicine Services and Procedures (90281–99607)

CPT 99211, 99212, 99213, 99214, 99215 – Established patient office visit.
NEW PATIENT VISIT. CPT Code. 99201. 99202. 99203. 99204. 99205.

CMS National Coverage Policy

NCD / LCD Guideline; It is regarding CMS / gov, coverage whether the service or diagnosis going to cover or not,

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, §1862(a)(1)(A) allows coverage and payment for only those services that are considered to be medically reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.

Medical necessity : service denied due to medical necessity, it means service billed / performed is not required per medical necessity / or per diagnosis code,

In other way we can say claim denied due to procedure code inconsistent with diagnosis code. In Medicare term, claim denied because service performed not covered per NCD, or LCD guideline,

so some where if service denied for medical necessity, we can simply send medical record to prove medical necessity, in other way first we need to check diagnosis code that we billed, and need to check cpt codes, after that we can send it coding team, later we can send medical records, or we can send appeal along with medical records, 

Resolution:

Need to check medical records why the test or procedure performed check diagnosis code should be listed in the medical record after that we can verify those diagnosis code with Medicare coverage database on cms.gov website,

In case of Medicare we can ask for document ID, or lcd / ncd number, we can check the coverage guideline on cms.gov website by lcd or ncd number, or by procedure code, whether this service covered or not, if cover we can take print and send it to Medicare, if not covered we can send it coding team to check if the can make change in DX or cpt codes, later we can appeal for it, 

Medicare is a health insurance program for:
  • People age 65 or older.
  • People under age 65 with certain disabilities.
  • People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare has different parts that help cover specific services:

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) - Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits. Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) - Part B helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) - Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to everyone with Medicare. To get Medicare prescription drug coverage, people must join a plan approved by Medicare that offers Medicare drug coverage. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part D.

Medicare Part C

A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another Medicare health plan choice you may have as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care every month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare.

Hospice care: Hospice patient covered in Medicare part A, Hospital claims, Patient who have terminal illness and a life expectancy of six month and less are enrolled in Hospice care, Part B claim, or physician claim will be denied for hospice care under COB9, Need to check under which disease patient get enrolled, 

If the services performed are unrelated to Hospice disease, use GW modifier, 

if the services performed are related to hospice disease but the physician is not employed in hospice care or hospital, can be use GV modifier. Need to check Medical records and diagnosis code.

Service code: POS

01 Pharmacy 

02 Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home

03 School

04 Homeless Shelter

10 Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home

11 Office

12 Home

20 Urgent Care Facility

21 Inpatient Hospital

22 Outpatient Hospital

23 Emergency Room – Hospital

24 Ambulatory Surgical Center

31 Skilled Nursing Facility

32 Nursing Facility

33 Custodial Care Facility

34 Hospice

Eligibility for Medicaid

https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/getting-medicaid-chip/

  • In all states, Medicaid provides coverage for some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
  • Medicaid programs must follow federal guidelines, but coverage and costs may be different from state to state.
  • In states that have expanded Medicaid coverage: You can qualify based on your income alone. If your household income is below 133% of the federal poverty level, you qualify. (Because of the way this is calculated, it turns out to be 138% of the federal poverty level. A few states use a different income limit.)

Medicaid spend down

https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers

  • Some people want to qualify for Medicaid but have too much money to meet the program’s income requirements. They may “spend down” their assets and net worth to become eligible.

Bcbs home Plan

The Home Plan- Bcbs Plan through which the member is enrolled. The Host Plan- Bcbs Plan in the area where services are rendered.

If the services are provided outside the territory of the Home plan, the provider submits the claim to its local plan, which is considered the "Hostplan

( host/ local where service rendered, home where service enrolled)

The Home plan evaluates the data submitted by the Host plan, determines whether or how much of the claim is allowable, and advises the Host plan of its determination. The Host plan then makes payment to the service provider and submits a claim to the Home plan for reimbursement.

Thus, in one sense two BCBS plans do make "payments" with respect to an out-of-territory claim. Initially the Host plan "pays" the claim submitted by the service provider, but eventually the Home plan "pays" the claim by reimbursing the Host plan. Ultimately, however, only one BCBS plan -- the Home plan -- is responsible for the payment of the claim, and ultimately the claim is only paid once -- by the Home plan.

Modifiers indicate that a service or procedure performed has been altered by some specific circumstance, but not changed in its definition or code.
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/chapter1generalcorrectcodingpoliciesfinal11.pdf

https://www.caplinehealthcaremanagement.com/what-is-a-modifier-in-medical-billing/
https://www.codingahead.com/list-of-modifiers/

  • Modifier 22 – Increased procedural services
  • 23 – Unusual anesthesia
  • 25 – Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professionals on the same day of the procedure or other service
  • 59- Distinct Procedural Services
  • 24 – Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period
  • 52- Reduced services
  • 53- Discontinued procedure
  • 55- Postoperative management only
  • 56- Preoperative management only
  • 57- Decision for surgery
  • 99- Multiple modifiers

Following are a few examples of HCPCS modifiers:

  • AA- Anesthesia services performed by anesthesiologists
  • AD- Medical supervision by a physician, more than four concurrent anesthesia procedures
  • AH- Clinical Psychologist (CP) Services. [Used when a medical group employs a CP and bills for the CP’s service]
  • AJ- Clinical Social Worker (CSW). [Used when a medical group employs a CSW and bills for the CSW’s service]
  • GW- Service not related to the hospice patient’s terminal condition
  • GY- Item or service statutorily excluded or does not meet the definition of any Medicare benefit
  • GZ- Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
  • QN- Ambulance service furnished directly by a provider of services

CLIA Number

Upon certification, a ten-digit alphanumeric character gets assigned to the laboratory site. CLIA number filled in block 23 of Form CMS-1500 manually or documented electronically.
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), passed by Congress in 1988, established quality standards for all laboratory testing. CLIA ensures the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of patient test results,

Main Denial Codes: 

4 The procedure code is inconsistent with the modifier used.

5 The procedure code/type of bill is inconsistent with the place of service.

6 The procedure/revenue code is inconsistent with the patient's age

7 The procedure/revenue code is inconsistent with the patient's gender.

8 The procedure code is inconsistent with the provider type/specialty (taxonomy).

9 The diagnosis is inconsistent with the patient's age.

10 The diagnosis is inconsistent with the patient's gender.

11 The diagnosis is inconsistent with the procedure.

16 Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s). Do not use this code for claims attachment(s)/other documentation. M20 Missing/incomplete/invalid HCPCS.

16 Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s). Do not use this code for claims attachment(s)/other documentation. M50 Missing/incomplete/invalid revenue code(s).

16 Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s). Do not use this code for claims attachment(s)/other documentation. M53 Missing/incomplete/invalid days or units of service.

16 Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s). Do not use this code for claims attachment(s)/other documentation. N50 Missing/incomplete/invalid discharge information

16 Claim/service lacks information or has submission/billing error(s). Do not use this code for claims attachment(s)/other documentation. N56 Procedure code billed is not correct/valid for the service billed or the date of service billed.

22 This care may be covered by another payer per coordination of benefits.

CO 23 Payment adjusted because charges have been paid by another payer.

24 Charges are covered under a capitation agreement/managed care plan.

27 Expenses incurred after coverage terminated.

29 The time limit for filing has expired.

31 Patient cannot be identified as our insured.

35 Lifetime benefit maximum has been reached.

50 These are non-covered services because this it not deemed a 'medical necessity' by the payer.

54 Multiple physicians/assistants are not covered in this case.

58 Treatment was deemed by the payer to have been rendered in an inappropriate or invalid place of service.

60 Charges for outpatient services are not covered when performed within a period of time prior to or after inpatient services.

96 Non-covered charge(s). M2 Not paid separately when the patient is an inpatient.

96 Non-covered charge(s). M80 Not covered when performed during the same session/date as a previously processed service for the patient.

96 Non-covered charge(s). N30 Patient ineligible for this service.

96 Non-covered charge(s). N95 This provider type/provider specialty may not bill this service.

96 Non-covered charge(s). N362 The number of Days or Units of Service exceeds our acceptable maximum.

97 The benefit for this service is included in the payment/allowance .

109 Claim/service not covered by this payer/contractor. You must send the claim/service to the correct payer/contractor.

119 Benefit maximum for this time period or occurrence has been reached.

119 Benefit maximum for this time period or occurrence has been reached. N640 Exceeds number/frequency approved/allowed within time period.

170 Payment is denied when performed/billed by this type of provider.

178 Patient has not met the required spend down requirements.

197 Precertification/authorization/notification/pre-treatment absent.

198 Precertification/notification/authorization/pre-treatment exceeded.

199 Revenue code and Procedure code do not match.

272 Coverage/program guidelines were not met.

B7 This provider was not certified/eligible to be paid for this procedure/service on this date of service.

B9 Patient is enrolled in a Hospice. 

B16 New Patient' qualifications were not met. M86 Service denied because payment already made for same/similar procedure within set time frame.


Main Modifier

Modifier 26 appends with the combination of procedures furnished by the Physician or other skilled professional such as a technician.

TC : Technical component,
26  : Professional component,

Modifier 25

This modifier can only be reported if two (E/M) procedures are performed on the same day. The extra procedure needs to have a global period.

When to use a 59 modifier? Modifier 59 can be used for distinct procedures when no other appropriate modifier is available with the aim to unbundle the services or procedures performed by the Physician on the same day.

Duplicate denials: 

76: repeating procedure by the same physician,

77 : repeating procedure by the different physician,

Lt , Rt : (radiology) 

Lt : left side of body,

Rt : right side of body,

50 modifier? Use modifier 50 for bilateral services. This are services/procedures performed on both sides of the body during the same operative session or on the same day.
51 modifier? Modifier 51 appends for the service when the same physician performs multiple procedures in a single encounter on the same day. 

When to use a 52 modifier? Modifier 52 is applicable when the service reduces or is partially performed by the physician or other skilled professional due to unavoidable circumstances.

Global surgery:

Modifier 24 can be reported for any additional unrelated services performed during the postoperative period of surgery. For E&M codes,

Modifier 79 Unrelated procedure/service by the same Physician/qualified health care professional during the postoperative period. For non E&M codes,

Modifier 58 for planned or stage procedure, patient can come to remove plate and nuts from the knee, with in the global period,

Modifier 78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period.

Hospice modifier : GV, GW

Modifier 47 is used to report procedure codes for regional or general anesthesia provided by the attending or assistant surgeon.

Modifier 56 when one physician performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another physician performed the surgical procedure.

Modifier 57 applies can be billed for services when the physician provides the evaluation and management service that ensued in the initial decision to perform the surgery.

Global surgery
pre existing condition
waiting period
ndc- national drug code

RCM
Healthcare revenue cycle management (RCM) is the process by which health systems bill for services and generate revenue - from a patient's first appointment all the way through to the payor's acceptance of final payment.

Patient registration- Data or the information, 

Insurance verification- Medical billing team verifies the patient’s insurance strictly end to end., Eligibility and policy benefits are thoroughly focused. It checks the patient responsibilities such as co-pay, deductible and out of pocket whether patient had accumulated the expenses.

Encounter- When patient consults healthcare provider, the details of the condition and service performed is recorded either by audio or video. These particulars may be recorded in front of the patient or after the encounter.

Medical transcription- Recorded audio or video is transferred into a medical script. The script contains complete condition of the health record. The process of transferring voice-recorded or video-recorded medical reports by healthcare providers is termed as medical transcription.

Medical coding- The tran-scripted information is converted into medical codes for easy and time-saving procedure. The transformation of patient’s condition, medical services, medical prescription into medical codes is called medical coding. Coders rely on DX (condition of the patient), CPT (service rendered to the patient) to transcript the medical record into medical coding.

Charge entry- The charges entered will be claimed by the medical billing company with insurance for reimbursement.

Charge transmission- Transmitting the claims with accurate coding through EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to the insurance company is called Charge transmission.

AR calling-  AR caller concentrates on lower denials and increase payment flow in Revenue Cycle Management.

Denial management- It motivates a profitable revenue growth by reducing the denials with insurance company.

Payment posting- EOB (Explanation of benefits), correspondence, ERA (Electronic remittance advice) received from the insurance will be posted to concerned patient claims.

New Patient
https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jeb/specialties/em/new-vs-established-patient

New patient- is “one who has not received any professional services from the physician, or another physician of the same specialty who belongs to the same group practice, within the past three years. New Patient Office Visit (CPT Codes 99201-99205): Coverage and Documentation Requirements.

Established Patient

Individual who has received any professional services, E/M service or other face-to-face service (e.g., surgical procedure) from this provider or another provider (same specialty or subspecialty) in the same group practice within the previous three years. Established Patient Office Visit (99211 - 99215).

Services Reported Separately

https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jeb/specialties/em
  • Any specifically identifiable procedure or service (ie, identified with a specific CPT code) performed on the date of E/M services may be reported separately.

Inpatient : When a patient is admitted to inpatient initial hospital care and discharged on a different calendar date, the physician shall report an Initial Hospital Care (CPT code range 99221–99223) and a Hospital Discharge Day Management service (CPT code 99238 or 99239).

Office or Other Outpatient Services CPT® Code range 99202- 99215. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code range for Office or Other Outpatient Services 99202-99215 is a medical code set maintained by the American Medical Association.

New Patient Office Visit (E/M) Services (CPT Codes 99201-99205) - Overview of Key Components
The key components of E/M including those services billed for New Patient Office Visit (E/M) Services

Denials Resolutions:

https://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/jmb.nsf/T/Claims~Denial%20Resolution

22 This care may be covered by another payer per coordination of benefits.

Narrative: Health care policy coverage is primary.

Resolution
To find out whether Medicare should pay as primary or secondary, use the Palmetto GBA MSP Lookup Tool located on the home page under Tools. Ask your patient a series of yes or no questions and select the answers using our online tool.

Established Patient Office Visit (CPT codes 99211–99215): Coverage and Documentation Requirements.

NDC

The 11- digit National Drug Code (NDC) on drugs administered

You need to submit NDC (NDC, NDC units, and appropriate descriptors) when billing for certain claims paid by a HCPCS Level II code for physician-administered drugs. This requirement is in addition to the HCPCS used for billing the claim.

The NDC is on the medication's container (i.e. vial, bottle, or tube). Submit the NDC in its 5-4-2 digit format: XXXXX-XXXX-XX.

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that you have before starting a new health care plan. waiting period in health insurance plans is the period for which you need to wait before getting the insurance benefits

Global period/ Surgery

https://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/jmb.nsf/DIDC/8EELLR2460~Claims~Denial%20Resolution

Based on the phrase 'time frames' in the definition of Global Surgery, we may define the global period as a time that begins with a surgical procedure and ends a few days after the surgical procedure. So, in simple words, the global period covers the length of a patient's hospital stay during postoperative care.

  • CO-97 - Global Surgery Denials: Services submitted for the same patient by the same doctor on the same day as or within the post-op period of a major/minor procedure are bundled into the global surgery package and are not paid separately
https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/Downloads/GloballSurgery-ICN907166.pdf


PRE-OPERATIVE PERIOD BILLING
CPT modifier 57 may be used to report the decision for surgery for certain codes. This modifier may be used to indicate that an evaluation and management (E/M) service performed on the same day or the day before a major surgery (090 global days) by the surgeon resulted in the decision to perform the procedure.

DAY OF PROCEDURE BILLING
Modifier “-25” (Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure),
Use modifiers “-24” (Unrelated E/M service by the same physician during a post-operative period)
Pre-operative and post-operative critical care may be paid in addition to a global fee. CPT codes 99291/99292 and modifier “-25” for pre-operative care or “-24” for post-operative care must be used; 

POST-OPERATIVE PERIOD BILLING
Modifier “-79” (Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during a post-operative period).
78” (Unplanned return to the operating or procedure room by the same physician following initial procedure for a related procedure during the post-operative period). 
Modifier “-58” (Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician during the post-operative period)

Bilateral surgeries. Modifier 50; If a procedure is not identified by its terminology as a bilateral procedure (or unilateral or bilateral), physicians must report the procedure with modifier “-50.”

Claims for Multiple Surgeries.
The physician, other than the surgeon, who furnishes post-operative management services, bills with modifier “-55.” • Use modifier “-55” with the CPT procedure code for global periods of 10- or 90-days.
Modifier 51 Multiple Procedures indicates that multiple procedures were performed at the same session.

New Patient Office Visit (E/M) Services (CPT Codes 99201-99205) - Overview of Key Components
The key components of E/M including those services billed for New Patient Office Visit (E/M) Services
https://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/jmb.nsf/DIDC/AHXM3H5027~eServices%20Portal~Electronic%20Comparative%20Billing%20Report%20(eCBR)

CPT Code
Description
Documentation Requirements
99201
Typically 10 minutes
Problem focused history

99202
Typically 20 minutes
Expanded Problem focused history

99203
Typically 30 minutes
Detailed history

99204
Typically 45 minutes
Comprehensive history

99205
Typically 60 minutes
Comprehensive history
Comprehensive Examination
High complexity medical decision making
(Based on high complexity medical decision making).

Established Patient Office Visit (CPT codes 99211–99215): Coverage and Documentation Requirements.
https://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/jmb.nsf/DIDC/AA8LL61250~eServices%20Portal~Electronic%20Comparative%20Billing%20Report%20(eCBR)

Access Palmetto GBA's eservices Portal for Your Medicare Transactions
https://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/jmb.nsf/T/eServices%20Portal

Claim denied for missing NDC Number

If the NDC information is missing, invalid, incomplete, or does not match the HCPCS or CPT submitted, the claim may be denied. If the claim is denied, it can be resubmitted with the appropriate NDC information for reconsideration of reimbursement.
If the NDC information is missing, invalid, incomplete, or does not match the HCPCS or CPT submitted, the claim may be denied. If the claim is denied, it can be resubmitted with the appropriate NDC information for reconsideration of reimbursement.
Using the CMS 1500 form, enter the NDC information in field 24. There are six service lines in field
24 with shaded areas.

Authorization
Check whether the POS is ‘23’. If yes, need to call the insurance and request reprocessing.
Check whether the POS is ’21’. If yes, need to call the insurance and verify whether the hospital claim has a pre-certification number.
If the POS is anything apart from ‘23’ or ’21’, need to check whether our billing software has a prior authorization number updated. If yes, need to call insurance and verify that prior authorization number with the payer rep and also try to reprocess on-call.
If the prior authorization number is not valid or it is not updated in the billing software, need to enquire the insurance if they can accept a retro-authorization.
If there is no authorization number and a retro authorization is not accepted, then get the appeal address and appeal limit from the payer rep and assign it to client assistance for further action.

Denials
https://medicalbillingdoubts.com

Medigap
A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill the “gaps” in Original Medicare Plan coverage. Medigap policies help pay some of the health care costs that the Original...Medicare Plan doesn't cover. If you are in the Original Medicare Plan and have a Medigap policy, then Medicare and your Medigap policy will each pay its share of covered health care costs.

hhs.gov
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/Medigap

Medicare Advantage
Under the Medicare Advantage Promoting Interoperability Program, payments are made only to Medicare Advantage organizations that are licensed as HMOs, or in the same manner as HMOs, by a state. These Medicare Advantage organizations may receive incentive payments by way of Medicare Advantage eligible professionals (EPs) and Medicare Advantage hospitals (MA-affiliated hospitals).

Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Advantage plans serve as a substitute for Original Medicare, providing that same coverage plus additional benefits like prescription drugs coverage (Part D). Meanwhile, Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap plans, are sold by private insurance companies to people enrolled in Original Medicare to help fill the gaps of that coverage.
https://www.forbes.com/health/medicare/best-medicare-supplement-providers/

HMO Medicare Part C
A Medicare Advantage is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called "Part C" or "MA Plans," are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you'll still have Medicare but you'll get most of your Part A and Part B coverage from your Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare. 

Hmo coverage

With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have coverage for things Original Medicare doesn't cover, like fitness programs (gym memberships or discounts) and some vision, hearing, and dental services (like routine check ups or cleanings).
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-upchange-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans/how-do-medicare-advantage-plans-work

  • You’re in a Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO.
  • You join a separate Medicare drug plan.
  1. You're still in the  Program.
  2. You still have Medicare rights and protections.
  3. You still get complete Part A and Part B coverage through the plan. Plans may offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover – like vision, hearing, and dental services.
  4. Your  may be lower in a Medicare Advantage Plan. If so, this option may be more cost effective for you. Note: You may be charged  during the first 20 days.
  5. You can’t buy and don’t need Medigap.
  6. You can only join a plan at certain times during the year. In most cases, you're enrolled in a plan for a year.
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-upchange-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/things-to-know-about-medicare-advantage-plans

Medicare Part D
Medicare drug plans. These plans add drug coverage to Original Medicare,
 or other   with drug coverage. You get all of your Part A, Part B, and drug coverage, through these plans. Remember, you must have Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan, and not all of these plans offer drug coverage.
https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/how-part-d-works-with-other-insurance

There may be reasons why you should take Medicare drug coverage instead of, or in addition to, COBRA. If you take COBRA and it includes  , you'll have a special enrollment period to join a Medicare drug plan without a penalty when COBRA ends.

Medicare Supplement

Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps fill "gaps" in 

 and is sold by private companies. Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, like:

  • Copayments
  • Coinsurance
  • Deductibles
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap

  1. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B.
  2. A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan.  Those plans are ways to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap policy only supplements your Original Medicare benefits.

Prior Authorization:

Prior authorization also called as Pre authorization. Physician has to obtain permission for certain health care services from the insurance company before rendering those services to patient, in order to get the claim reimbursed.

Retro authorization:

Physician can obtain permission for health care services from the insurance company after the services rendered to patient in order for claims get paid.

How to obtain Authorization in medical billing?

Physician is responsible to request authorization from insurance company with required documents for certain services.

Following information required to request authorization and requirement vary across insurances:

  • Patient Demographic information
  • Provider information
  • CPT/HCPCS Code and DX code

https://www.rcmguide.com/denial-codes/

https://www.rcmguide.com/co-197-denial-code-precertification-authorization-notification-absent/

Whenever claim denied with CO 197 denial code, we need to follow the steps to resolve and reimburse the claim from insurance company:

  • First step is to verify the denial reason and get the denial date.
  • Next step verify the application to see any authorization number available or not for the services rendered.
  • If authorization number available, Call claims department and provide the authorization number and request representative to reprocess the claim.
  • If authorization number not available. Call and check representative whether we can obtain Retro authorization for the date of service. If yes, then obtain the details and request the retro authorization for rendered service.
  • If rep suggest retro authorization is not possible. Check whether you can appeal the claim with medical records, get fax number, mailing address, timely filing limit to appeal the denied claim.
https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jadme/topics/ra/denial-resolution/n210-197

https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jadme/cert-reviews/mr/pre-claim/required-programs


How Medicare works with other Insurance
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-medicare-works-with-other-insurance

If the employer has 20 or more employees, then the group health plan pays first, and Medicare pays second. 

 didn't pay all of your bill, the doctor or   should send the bill to Medicare for secondary payment. You may have to pay any costs Medicare or the group health plan doesn't cover.

In case you have HMO and PPO plan , and get service outside of group plan network,
It's possible that neither the plan nor Medicare will pay if you get care outside your plan's network. Before you go outside the network, call your plan to find out if it will cover the service.

No-fault insurance or liability insurance pays first and Medicare pays second.

If the no-fault or liability insurance denies your medical bill or is found not liable for payment, Medicare pays first, but only pays for Medicare-covered services. You're still responsible for your share of the bill (like 

, a  or a ) and for the cost of services Medicare doesn't cover.



INCLUSVE/ BUNDLE
NATIONAL CORRECT CODING INITIATIVE POLICY  NCCI

Healthcare providers/suppliers use Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System/Current Procedural Terminology (HCPCS/CPT) codes to report medical services performed on patients to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) consists of Level I CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes and Level II codes. CPT codes are defined in the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) "CPT Manual," which is updated and published annually. HCPCS Level II codes are defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are updated throughout the year as necessary. Changes in CPT codes are approved by the AMA CPT Editorial Panel, which meets 3 times per year.

CPT and HCPCS Level II codes define medical and surgical procedures performed on patients. Some procedure codes are very specific in defining a single service (e.g., CPT code 93000 (electrocardiogram)), while other codes define procedures consisting of many services (e.g., CPT code 58263 (Vaginal hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(s), with repair of enterocele)). Because many procedures can be performed via different approaches, different methods, or in combination with other procedures, there are often multiple HCPCS/CPT codes defining similar or related procedures.

CMS developed the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) program to prevent inappropriate payment of services that should not be reported together.

Evaluation & Management (E&M) Service
Anatomic modifiers : E1-E4, FA, F1-F9, TA, T1-T9, LT, RT, LC, LD, RC, LM, RI 
Global surgery modifiers: 24, 25, 57, 58, 78, 79 
Other modifiers: 27, 59, 91, XE, XS, XP, XU 

Modifier 22: Modifier 22 is defined by the “CPT Manual” as “Increased Procedural Services.” This modifier shall not be reported unless the service(s) performed is (are) substantially more extensive than the usual service(s) included in the procedure described by the HCPCS/CPT code reported.
Modifier 25: The “CPT Manual” defines modifier 25 as a “Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service.” Modifier 25 may be appended to an evaluation and management (E&M) CPT code to indicate that the E&M service is significant and separately identifiable from other services reported on the same date of service. The E&M service may be related to the same or different diagnosis as the other procedure(s).
Modifier 25 may be appended to E&M services reported with minor surgical procedures (with global periods of 000 or 010 days) or procedures not covered by Global Surgery Rules (with a global indicator of XXX).
Modifier 58: Modifier 58 is defined by the “CPT Manual” as a “Staged or Related Procedure or Service by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional During the Postoperative Period.” It may be used to indicate that a procedure was followed by a second procedure during the post-operative period of the first procedure. This situation may occur because the second procedure was planned prospectively,

Modifier 59: Distinct Procedural Service: Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-E/M services performed on the same day. Modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than E/M services,

When the NCCI program was first established and during its early years, the “Column One/Column Two Correct Coding Edit Table” was termed the “Comprehensive/Component Edit Table.” This latter terminology was a misnomer. Although the Column Two code is often a component of a more comprehensive Column One code, this relationship is not true for many edits. In the latter type of edit, the code pair edit simply represents 2 codes that should not be reported together. For example, a provider/supplier shall not report a vaginal hysterectomy code and total abdominal hysterectomy code together.
A provider/supplier shall not report multiple HCPCS/CPT codes when a single comprehensive HCPCS/CPT code describes these services. For example, if a physician performs a vaginal hysterectomy on a uterus weighing less than 250 grams with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, the provider/supplier shall report CPT code 58262 (Vaginal hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less; with removal of tube(s), and/or ovary(s)). The provider/supplier shall not report CPT code 58260 (Vaginal hysterectomy, for uterus 250 g or less;) plus CPT code 58720 (Salpingo-oophorectomy, complete or partial, unilateral, or bilateral (separate procedure)).

A physician shall not fragment a procedure into component parts. For example, if a 
physician performs an anal endoscopy with biopsy, the provider/supplier shall report CPT 
code 46606 (Anoscopy; with biopsy, single or multiple). It is improper to unbundle this 
procedure and report CPT code 46600 (Anoscopy; diagnostic...) plus CPT code 45100 
(Biopsy of anorectal wall, anal approach...). The latter code is not intended to be used
with an endoscopic procedure code. 

A provider/supplier shall not unbundle a bilateral procedure code into 2 unilateral 
procedure codes. For example, if a physician performs bilateral mammography, the 
provider/supplier shall report CPT code 77066 (Diagnostic mammography... bilateral). 
The provider/supplier shall not report CPT code 77065 (Diagnostic mammography... 
unilateral) with 2 UOS or 77065 LT plus 77065 RT.

A provider/supplier shall not unbundle services that are integral to a more comprehensive 
procedure. For example, surgical access is integral to a surgical procedure. A 
provider/supplier shall not report CPT code 49000 (Exploratory laparotomy...) when 
performing an open abdominal procedure such as a total abdominal colectomy (e.g., CPT 
code 44150). 
Modifier 24 (“Unrelated Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional During a Postoperative Period”). 

Modifiers 76 (“Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician”) and 77 (“Repeat Procedure by Another Physician”) are not NCCI PTP-associated modifiers. Use of either of these modifiers does not bypass an NCCI PTP edit.
  







  




















































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