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Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

News Brief:

Use Special Modifier for Disaster-Related Claims

Published on Tue Nov 01, 2005

You can use the new code regardless of where you're located

Don’t let your claims for treating victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita or future disasters slip through the cracks.

You should use the new modifier CR (Catastrophe/disaster related) for your Medicare contractor to process disaster-related claims, CMS announced in a Sept. 26 Medlearn Matters article.

For dates of service on or after Aug. 21, you can use the new modifier for services you provide to Hurricane Katrina or Rita victims, regardless of your facility’s location. Append the modifier to any procedure code for services that you provide to the disaster victims. CMS wants Medicare contractors to recognize the new modifier on Oct. 3, if possible, but no later than Oct. 31.

For more information, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM4106.pdf.
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