WEBINAR

September 28, 2006

Topic: AVOIDING DUPLICATES

Questions and Answers

Question 1: Where can I find instructions on how to use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system?

Answer 1: The IVR Instructions can be found on the Publication page of our website.

NE: http://www.medicarenhic.com/ne_prov/pubs/neivrinstructions_0806.pdf

CA : http://www.medicarenhic.com/cal_prov/pubs/caivrinstructions_0806.pdf

 

Question 2: What can be resubmitted?

Answer 2:  Claims that are rejected as unprocessable with the Remark Code of MA 130 can be resubmitted. The definition attached to MA 130 is as follows: Your claim contains incomplete and/or invalid information, and no appeal rights are afforded because the claim is unprocessable. Please resubmit the correct information to the appropriate fiscal intermediary or carrier.  All other denials must go through the Appeals process if you do not agree with the denial.

 

Question 3:  Why is the 1500 Claim Form being revised?  When do I have discard the old forms?

Answer 3:   CMS revised the 1500 Claim Form to accommodate the National Provider Identifier (NPI). The revised CMS 1500 Claim Form (08/05 version) may be used starting January 1, 2007 but will not be mandated for use until April 2, 2007.

 

Question 4:  Will there be a NPI Registry like the current UPIN Registry?

Answer 4: CMS expects to publish a notice regarding its approach to NPI data dissemination in the near future. The Dissemination Notice will describe the information that will be available for NPIs. 

 

Question 5: For a group of physicians, does the group or each physician need a NPI?

Answer 5: If the group and each physician currently have a legacy provider number, the group and each physician will need a NPI.  For the information on the implementation of NPI and the options for obtaining a NPI, please visit the CMS website at the attached link: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/06_implementation.asp

 

Question 6: Is item 17A of the revised 1500 Claim Form the only field changing to accommodate NPI?

Answer 6: No. Items 17b, 24 J and 33A have all been created on the revised form to accommodate NPI.  A picture of the revised form and instructions for the existing and revised form can be found in our Introduction to Medicare Guide at the following link: http://www.medicarenhic.com/providers/pubs/introguide_oct06.pdf

 

 

Question 7: When a provider is submitting an appeal to add or change a procedure code and/or modifier does a corrected claim need to be attached?

Answer 7:   No.  The first level of appeal is called a Redetermination. When requesting a redetermination, the CMS 20027 Medicare Redetermination Request Form should be used. The CMS 20027 does not require a corrected claim attachment. The CMS 20027 can be found on the CMS website at the following link: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms/downloads/cms20027.pdf

 

Question 8: Will NPI apply to the UB92 Hospital Claim?

Answer 8: Yes. However, for further assistance regarding NPI and the UB 92, please contact Medicare Part A.

 

Question 9:  What is the timely filing limit for Medicare?

Answer 9:  For services rendered October 1, 2004-September 30, 2005, claims must be filed by December 31, 2006.  For services rendered October 1, 2005-September 30, 2006, claims must be filed by December 31, 2007.

 

Question 10:  What documentation do you need to submit for proof of timely filing?

Answer 10: By submitting the claim within the timely filing limits

 

Question 11: Are modifiers RT and LT only for radiology?

Answer 11: Modifiers RT and LT can be used for other services if appropriate

 

Question 12: If there are three services by the same provider on the same day, how do we  avoid a duplicate denial? For example, 71010, 71010-76 and 71010-76

Answer 12: The example given is the correct manner for which to bill and avoid duplicate denials.

 

Question 13: If three services are done the same day, would using units be correct?

 Answer 13:  Units may be used if the code descriptor indicates each, per, etc. Modifier 76 (Repeat Procedure by Same Physician) or 77 (Repeat Procedure by Another Physician) may also apply.

 

Question 14: When multiple radiology service are performed the same day, would the time of service help to avoid duplicate denials?

Answer 14:  To clarify multiple services performed on the same day, time may be reported in item 19 or the electronic narrative field in addition to 76 or 77.

 

 

Question 15: My physician will be updating her info on the 855I thus required to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), can she still receive the paper RA?

Answer 15: EFT providers can still receives a Standard Paper Remittance as long as they not receiving an Electronic Remittance Notice. If they or billing agent or clearing house is receiving an ERA, they may have to use the Medicare Remit Easy Print to obtain their RA.

For more information on EFT, please see the attached MLN Matters article entitled Facilitating Your Medicare Enrollment: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0627.pdf

For more information on the ERA and MREP, please see the attached CMS MLN Matters article entitled Options for Providers/Supplier Affected by CR4376: Suppression of Standard Paper Remittance Advice http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0627.pdf

 

 

Question 16: What documentation is required for 90808-22? When submitting an electronic claim through EDI, how do we submit the back up?

Answer 16: No documentation is needed to process 90808. Modifier 22 (Unusual Procedural Services) generally only applies to surgical procedures. However, if you are trying to indicate that Unusual Procedural Services apply to 90808, submit modifier 22 electronically and we will send you a letter requesting the additional documentation.

 

Question 17: How do you handle claims denied for service not covered because patient is in hospice?

Answer 17: If the provider is a hospice employee, the denial is accurate. If modifiers GV or GW apply, you would have to appeal your denial thru the redetermination process. Modifier GV is defined as “Attending physician is not employed or paid under agreement by the patient’s hospice provider.” Modifier GW is defined as “Service is not related to the hospice patient’s terminal condition”

 

Question 18: If a claim is denied because the service is not paid for the diagnosis code submitted, what needs to be done? 

Related Question:  What determines whether I resubmit a claim as a redeterminaiton, correction, or an appeal such as an incorrect dx code?

Answer 18:  If after reviewing the medical records, you determine a different diagnosis applies, you may appeal the claim.

 

Question 19: The Interactive Voice System (IVR) is very poor and responses are not correct. Why don’t you add key entry system?

Answer 19: We apologize for the frustration you are experiencing with the IVR. CMS requires that all Medicare Contractors have an IVR and that providers use the IVR. The IVR is programmed to allow for the entry of all data using touch tone in the event the user wants to or is unable to successfully speak to the IVR.  The touch tone features are outlined in the IVR Instructions. Please see Answer 1 for the IVR Instructions.

 

Question 20: My doctor does hyperbaric treatments which are done 5 days a week for up to 6 weeks. CPT 99183. Some are denied for medical necessity but the same information applies to all services. How should we document or submit these claims.

Answer 20: Claims may be denying for medial necessity due to the coverage criteria attached to the service. For the coverage criteria attached to Hyperbaric treatments, please see Publication 100-04, Chapter 32, and Section 80 of the CMS Internet Only Manual. Chapter 32 can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/downloads/clm104c32. If you do not agree with the denials, you may appeal the claim.

 

Question 21: We submit a lot of claims, 99213 with 93701 which are denied as not medically necessary. We rebill with med notes and the claims are paid. We have not been appealing them and they are being paid. Should they be appealed?

Answer 21: Unless you are receiving MA130, you should not be rebilling.  If 99213 or 93701 are denying for a another reason and you do not agree with the denial, you should be appealing the claim

 

Question 22: Will this and other webinars be available for listening again?

Answer 22: NHIC does not record the webinar presentation for encore listening sessions. The slides may be downloaded at the end of a Webinar and the Questions and Answers asked in writing and verbally at the time of the Webinar are posted on our website in 2 weeks.

 

Question 23: Can we use our electronic report showing claim was accepted for processing as timely?

Answer 23: This may be submitted to our Written Inquiries department for consideration.

 

Question 24:  Is the remit download for 1500 claims?

Answer 24:  The Medicare Remit Easy Print (MREP) software may be used by paper and electronic submitters. MREP allows off ices to view the remit notice online. Please contact our EDI department for more information.  The phone numbers to EDI may be found on our website at the following link:

http://www.medicarenhic.com/edi/index.shtml

 

Question 25: Which modifier can be used if a patient is seen in our office and in the hospital on the same day by the same physician?

Answer 25: If more than one evaluation and management (E&M) face-to-face service is provided on the same day to the same patient by the same physician or more than on physician in the same specialty in the same group for the same or related diagnosis, only one E&M service may be reported. Instead of billing separately, the physician or group should select a level of service representative of the combined visits and submit the appropriate code for that level.

 

Question 26: For multiple procedures or procedures requiring documentation, is there a way to fax this info?

Answer 26: In CA, you may fax the information to the following numbers:

Northern CA: (530) 634-7501

Southern CA: (213) 593-5975

This option is not currently available in NE.

 

Question 27: Code 64613. If injections are made to 6 injections sites, how can we bill this without getting a duplicate for injections 2-6?

Answer 27: Since the code description attached to 64613 indicates muscle(s), one unit of service applies regardless of muscles destructed by neurolytic agent.

10/12/2006