Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
NPI Applications Made Simple
PDF
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently posted new information to help providers understand, obtain and use their new NPI numbers by the upcoming May 23, 2007 compliance deadline.
Guidelines for providers who want to score an NPI using the Electronic File Interchange ("bulk enumeration") process are now available at www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/07--efi.asp.
Under the EFI process, providers and provider groups can have a separate EFI organization apply for an NPI on their behalf. The EFI organization submits the provider's application with other applications as part of an electronic file to streamline processing and reduce the administrative burden on CMS and the provider community.
Also, individual providers can now locate key NPI resources, application information and usage advice in a new CMS fact sheet at www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPIFactSheet012606.pdf.
CMS began issuing NPIs on May 23, 2005 as part of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act. Medicare is accepting claims that include an NPI--but with or without an NPI, providers must continue to include an existing legacy Medicare number on claims through Oct. 1, 2006. Until the next phase of the NPI implementation process commences Oct. 2, CMS will reject claims that do not include a legacy Medicare number.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- AUDITS:
Now Medicare 'Bounty Hunters' Will Receive Payment For Rescuing Yours
P4P train 'has left the station,' CMS says
If you thought you were safe from the [...] - GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY:
Resubmit Denied Demonstration Claims To Gain Extra Payment
CMS backtracks on oncology demonstration project
Good news: Gynecologic oncologists will be able take part in [...] - EVALUATION & MANAGEMENT:
Make Your Phone A 'Hot Line' For E/M Reimbursement
Carrier says physicians' phone time can bump up E/M levels
Does your physician spend precious minutes [...] - Quality Organizations Have Their Own Quality Problems
Who watches the watchers? That's what Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) wants to know.
The influential chairman [...] - STUDIES & SURVEYS:
Massive Decreases In Drug Payments May Be Coming Your Way
Medicare overpaid $110 million for Part B drugs in 2005, says OIG
It may be hard [...] - NPI Applications Made Simple
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently posted new information to help providers understand, [...] - COMPLIANCE:
Don't Play The Percentages With Overdue Copays And Deductibles
Watch out for state, federal laws on charging patients interest and surcharges
Patients who drag their [...] - UROLOGY:
Reader Question--Turn To 2 Codes For Repeat TURPs
Question: Our urologist recently saw a patient who had a prostatic fossa with regrown prostatic [...] - AUDIOLOGY:
Reap Auditory Rehab Code Benefits
Find out how you can receive an extra $22
A few months have passed and you [...] - PODIATRY:
Keep Your Gait Analysis Claims Steady
Helpful hint: Double-check your Medicare carrier's coverage guidelines for each.
If you report 97166, 97799 or [...] - RADIOLOGY:
Don't Let Multiple Radiation Treatments Trip You Up
Experts warn: Make sure documentation proves medical necessity
Certain types of cancer require two or more [...] - NEUROLOGY:
Don't Be Unnerved By Unbundled Claims
If you perform tests on the same nerve, report the more extensive code
When your neurologist [...] - ORTHOPEDIC:
See Your Way Through CMC Anthroplasty Transplant Coding
If you only use 25447, expect to lose big bucks
When deciding [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
Don't Let Suture Removal Coding Get You In a Stitch
See why using a 52 modifier on 15850 and 15851 is not a valid option
Reporting [...] - PHYSICIAN NOTES:
Emergency Room Physicians Can Charge Patients A 'Reasonable' Fee
Court rules that 'balance billing' isn't illegal in the ER
It's not illegal for emergency [...] - ORTHOPEDIC:
See Your Way Through CMC Anthroplasty Transplant Coding
If you only use 25447, expect to lose big bucks
When deciding which codes to report [...] - PHYSICAL MEDICINE:
Reader Question--Learn The ABCs of ADL Coding
Question: We have documentation for three patients, all knee amputees, who were recently fitted with [...]