FI policies differ in coding Q0081
APCs Weekly Monitor, June 27, 2003
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New PM clarifies DSMT supervision rules and other "incident to" requirements PM B-03-043, issued May 23, 2003, clearly states that "incident to" supervision rules and other "incident to" requirements do not apply to Diabetes Outpatient Self-Management Training (DSMT) services. CMS first implemented this provision in 2001, published in 42 CFR 410.140-146. This new PM is CMS's response to Medicare contractors and providers who have been asking for clarification on whether supervision and other "incident to" requirements must be met when billing for DSMT services. The codes used for this service are:
Reviewing the chemotherapy coding question: A special report written by APC experts Jugna Shah, MPH, and Valerie Rinkle, MPA. Click Special Report for an in-depth discussion of how FI policies differ in coding Q0081 with chemotherapy SIGN UP FOR A FREE TRAINING Sign up for your complimentary subscription to HCProCoder Connection today and you're on your way to better compliance with the OIG, CMS, and other regulatory standards. Every two weeks you'll get the latest issue delivered right to your inbox. Each edition will feature a training quiz to keep you sharp on correct coding. The first issue was launched June 4. Subscribe here now! Your APCs Weekly Monitor is a free weekly e-zine from HCPro, publisher of Briefings on APCs, the monthly newsletter devoted entirely to managing under APCs, and the newsletter, APC Answer Letter, with answers to readers' questions about coding for APCs. The Monitor is a complimentary companion publication with a specific mission: to provide answers to your tough questions about the APC regulations. If you have a question about APC coding that you would like addressed
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answer are delivered to your inbox every Friday. TODAY'S TOPIC: To bill or not to bill? Pass injection fees on to patient Question: There are a small number of injectable medications that CMS has indicated should be considered self-administered drugs. They are assigned a revenue code 637 and are submitted on a separate non-covered claim. Is it appropriate to bill an injection charge for these medications? Can this charge be billed to Medicare or the patient? Answer: CMS has instructed providers to bill, in addition to the medication, an injection charge which covers the cost of providing the medication to the patient. In the case of self-administered medications, CMS has indicated that the patient is liable for the cost of the medication and the Medicare program considers them non-covered. If the cost of the medication is non-covered, then the administration fee is non-covered as well. To answer the question of whether to bill this administration fee to the patient, first determine whether the charge for self-administered medications is being billed to the patient. If these items are billed and collected from the patient,it would be reasonable to also bill the injection fee to the patient. Although an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) is not required in this instance, we recommend providers get one, since this is a benefit category denial and not a denial based on medical necessity. Patients are likely to question this practice if not informed ahead of time, and an ABN gives the provider an opportunity to prepare the patient for the financial liability.
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PAY PER VIEW: The nationwide coder shortage shows no signs of easing up, so recruiting skills are more important than ever. During his presentation at the American Academy of Professional Coders' recent 11th annual conference in Honolulu, J. Eric Sandham, CHC, CPC, compliance educator for Central California Faculty Medical Group in Fresno, offered his suggestions. Read more here. The cost is $10. Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies subscribers have free access via their online subscriptions. Coding and Compliance Feature Article of the Month: Interventional procedures cause coding confusion Questions from readers are answered by a team of experts working in the APC area within the health care industry. Their answers are provided as advice. Readers should consult the federal regulations governing OPPS, related CMS sources, and with their local fiscal intermediary before making any decisions regarding the application of OPPS to their particular situations. EDITOR'S CHOICE There's one thing you can count on in the world of OPPS and APCS: The rules keep changing. That's why we're bringing you an important audioconference, "OPPS 2003 and 2004 Changes and Challenges: Tools for Success," on July 8 beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern. You'll get tools to strengthen your OPPS and APC coding and reimbursement. As the months roll by in 2003, new program memos present changes to the final rule. The 2004 proposed rule will present more challenges in the coming months. To register or to learn more, CLICK HERE or call our customer service department at 800/650-6787. Be sure to mention source code EZ1195B. Looking for a solid reference on appropriate modifier use? Try the new "The Modifier Clinic" book Lolita M. Jones, RHIA, CCS, has been writing a monthly column on proper modifier use in "Briefings on APCs" since 2000. Now you can have a desktop reference from Jones and HCPro in her new book, "The Modifier Clinic: A Guide to Hospital Outpatient Issues." Jones addresses crucial operational issues associated with modifier reporting using practical exercises, case studies, and detailed figures. She reviews Medicare's official guidelines for reporting modifiers on outpatient claims, and also gives readers a detailed question and answer section addressing the industry's most frequently asked questions. For more information CLICK HERE. Save 10% when you order online! You may also call our Customer Service Team at 800-650-6787. Be sure to mention source code EB1489B when you call. Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to APCs Weekly Monitor! Related ProductsMost Popular
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