Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chap12

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Medicare Claims Processing Manual
Chapter 12 - Physicians/Nonphysician Practitioners
Table of Contents
(Rev. 3747, 04-14-17)
(Rev. 3721, 02-24-17)
Transmittals for Chapter 12
10 - General
20 - Medicare Physicians Fee Schedule (MPFS)
20.1 - Method for Computing Fee Schedule Amount
20.2 - Relative Value Units (RVUs)
20.3 - Bundled Services/Supplies
20.4 - Summary of Adjustments to Fee Schedule Computations
20.4.1 - Participating Versus Nonparticipating Differential
20.4.2 - Site of Service Payment Differential
20.4.3 - Assistant at Surgery Services
20.4.4 - Supplies
20.4.5 - Allowable Adjustments
20.4.6 - Payment Due to Unusual Circumstances (Modifiers “-22” and
“-52”)
20.4.7 - Services That Do Not Meet the National Electrical Manufacturers
Association (NEMA) Standard XR-29-2013
20.4.8 - Special Rule to Incentivize Transition from Traditional X-Ray
Imaging to Digital Radiography
20.4.8.1 - Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARCs), Claim
Adjustment Reason Codes (CARCs), and Medicare Summary
Notice (MSN)
20.5 - No Adjustments in Fee Schedule Amounts
20.6- Update Factor for Fee Schedule Services
20.7 - Comparability of Payment Provision of Delegation of Authority by CMS to
Railroad Retirement Board
20.8 - Payment for Teleradiology Physician Services Purchased by Indian Health
Services (IHS) Providers and Physicians
30 - Correct Coding Policy
30.1 - Digestive System (Codes 40000 - 49999)
30.2 - Urinary and Male Genital Systems (Codes 50010 - 55899)
30.3 - Audiology Sevices
30.4 - Cardiovascular System (Codes 92950-93799)
30.5 - Payment for Codes for Chemotherapy Administration and
Nonchemotherapy Injections and Infusions
30.6 - Evaluation and Management Service Codes - General (Codes
99201 - 99499)
30.6.1 - Selection of Level of Evaluation and Management Service
30.6.1.1 - Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) and
Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)
30.6.2 - Billing for Medically Necessary Visit on Same Occasion as
Preventive Medicine Service
30.6.3 - Payment for Immunosuppressive Therapy Management
30.6.4 - Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services Furnished Incident to
Physician’s Service by Nonphysician Practitioners
30.6.5 - Physicians in Group Practice
30.6.6 - Payment for Evaluation and Management Services Provided
During Global Period of Surgery
30.6.7 - Payment for Office or Other Outpatient Evaluation and
Management (E/M) Visits (Codes 99201 - 99215)
30.6.8 - Payment for Hospital Observation Services and Observation or
Inpatient Care Services (Including Admission and Discharge Services)
30.6.9 - Payment for Inpatient Hospital Visits - General
30.6.9.1 - Payment for Initial Hospital Care Services and
Observation or Inpatient Care Services (Including Admission and
Discharge Services)
30.6.9.2 - Subsequent Hospital Visits and Hospital Discharge Day
Management Services (Codes 99231 - 99239)
30.6.10 - Consultation Services
30.6.11 - Emergency Department Visits (Codes 99281 - 99288)
30.6.12 - Critical Care Visits and Neonatal Intensive Care (Codes
99291 - 99292)
30.6.13 - Nursing Facility Services
30.6.14 - Home Care and Domiciliary Care Visits (Codes 99324 - 99350)
30.6.14.1 - Home Services (Codes 99341 - 99350)
30.6.15 - Prolonged Services and Standby Services (Codes 99354 - 99360)
30.6.15.1 - Prolonged Services With Direct Face-to-Face Patient
Contact Service (ZZZ codes)
30.6.15.2 - Prolonged Services Without Direct Face-to-Face
Patient Contact Service (Codes 99358 - 99359)
30.6.15.3 - Physician Standby Service (Code 99360)
30.6.15.4 - Power Mobility Devices (PMDs) (Code G0372)
30.6.16 - Case Management Services (Codes 99362 and 99371 - 99373)
40 - Surgeons and Global Surgery
40.1 - Definition of a Global Surgical Package
40.2 - Billing Requirements for Global Surgeries
40.3 - Claims Review for Global Surgeries
40.4 - Adjudication of Claims for Global Surgeries
40.5 - Postpayment Issues
40.6 - Claims for Multiple Surgeries
40.7 - Claims for Bilateral Surgeries
40.8 - Claims for Co-Surgeons and Team Surgeons
40.9 - Procedures Billed With Two or More Surgical Modifiers
50 - Payment for Anesthesiology Services
60 - Payment for Pathology Services
70 - Payment Conditions for Radiology Services
80 - Services of Physicians Furnished in Providers or to Patients of Providers
80.1 - Coverage of Physicians’ Services Provided in Comprehensive Outpatient
Rehabilitation Facility
80.2 - Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center Services
80.3 - Unusual Travel (CPT Code 99082)
90 - Physicians Practicing in Special Settings
90.1 - Physicians in Federal Hospitals
90.2 - Physician Billing for End-Stage Renal Disease Services
90.2.1 - Inpatient Hospital Visits With Dialysis Patients
90.3 - Physicians’ Services Performed in Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC)
90.4 - Billing and Payment in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)
90.4.1 - Provider Education
90.4.1.1 - A/B MAC (B) Web Pages
90.4.2 - HPSA Designations
90.4.3 - Claims Coding Requirements
90.4.4 - Payment
90.4.5 - Services Eligible for HPSA and Physician Scarcity Bonus
Payments
90.4.6 - Reserved for Future Use
90.4.7 - Post-payment Review
90.4.8 - Reporting
90.4.9 - HPSA Incentive Payments for Physician Services Rendered in a
Critical Access Hospital
90.4.10 - Administrative and Judicial Review
90.4.11 - Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) Surgical Incentive
Payment Program (HSIP) for Surgical Services Rendered in HPSAs
90.4.11.1 - Overview of the HSIP
90.4.11.2 - HPSA Identification
90.4.11.3 - Coordination with Other Payments
90.4.11.4 -General Surgeon and Surgical Procedure Identification
for Professional Services Paid Under the Physician Fee Schedule
(PFS)
90.4.11.5 - Claims Processing and Payment
90.5 - Billing and Payment in a Physician Scarcity Area
90.5.1 - Provider Education
90.5.2 - Identifying Physician Scarcity Area Locations
90.5.3 - Claims Coding Requirements
90.5.4 - Payment
90.5.5 - Services Eligible for the Physician Scarcity Bonus
90.5.5.1 - Remittance Messages
90.5.6 - Post-payment Review
90.5.7 - Administrative and Judicial Review
90.6 - Indian Health Services (IHS) Provider Payment to Non-IHS Physicians for
Teleradiology Interpretations
90.7 - Bundling of Payments for Services Provided in Wholly Owned and Wholly
Operated Entities (including Physician Practices and Clinics): 3-Day Payment
Window
90.7.1 - Payment Methodology: 3-Day Payment Window in Wholly
Owned or Wholly Operated Entities (including Physician Practices and
Clinics)
100 - Teaching Physician Services
100.1 - Payment for Physician Services in Teaching Settings Under the MPFS
100.1.1 - Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services
100.1.2 - Surgical Procedures
100.1.3 - Psychiatry
100.1.4 - Time-Based Codes
100.1.5 - Other Complex or High-Risk Procedures
100.1.6 - Miscellaneous
100.1.7 - Assistants at Surgery in Teaching Hospitals
100.1.8 - Physician Billing in the Teaching Setting
100.2 - Interns and Residents
110 - Physician Assistant (PA) Services Payment Methodology
110.1 - Global Surgical Payments
110.2 - Limitations for Assistant-at-Surgery Services Furnished by Physician
Assistants
110.3 - Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation
110.4 - PA Billing to the A/B MAC (B)
120 - Nurse Practitioner (NP) And Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Services Payment
Methodology
120.1 - Limitations for Assistant-at-Surgery Services Furnished by Nurse
Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists
120.2 - Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation
120.3 - NP and CNS Billing to the A/B MAC (B)
130 - Nurse-Midwife Services
130.1 - Payment for Certified Nurse-Midwife Services
130.2 - Global Allowances
140 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist Services
140.1 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetists
140.2 - Entity or Individual to Whom Fee Schedule is Payable for Qualified
Nonphysician Anesthetists
140.3 - Anesthesia Fee Schedule Payment for Qualified Nonphysician
Anesthetists
140.3.1 - Conversion Factors Used on or After January 1, 1997 for
Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetists
140.3.2 - Anesthesia Time and Calculation of Anesthesia Time Units
140.3.3 - Billing Modifiers
140.3.4 - General Billing Instructions
140.4 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist Special Billing and Payment
Situations
140.4.1 - An Anesthesiologist and Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist
Work Together
140.4.2 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist and an Anesthesiologist in a
Single Anesthesia Procedure
140.4.3 - Payment for Medical or Surgical Services Furnished by CRNAs
140.4.4 - Conversion Factors for Anesthesia Services of Qualified
Nonphysician Anesthetists Furnished on or After January 1, 1992
140.5-- Payment for Anesthesia Services Furnished by a Teaching CRNA
150 - Clinical Social Worker (CSW) Services
160 - Independent Psychologist Services
160.1 - Payment
170 - Clinical Psychologist Services
170.1 - Payment
180 - Care Plan Oversight Services
180.1 - Care Plan Oversight Billing Requirements
190 - Medicare Payment for Telehealth Services
190.1 - Background
190.2 - Eligibility Criteria
190.3 - List of Medicare Telehealth Services
190.3.1 - Telehealth Consultation Services, Emergency Department or
Initial Inpatient versus Inpatient Evaluation and Management (E/M) Visits
190.3.2 - Telehealth Consultation Services, Emergency Department or
Initial Inpatient Defined
190.3.3 - Follow-Up Inpatient Telehealth Consultations Defined
190.3.4 – Payment for ESRD-Related Services as a Telehealth Service
190.3.5 – Payment for Subsequent Hospital Care Services and Subsequent
Nursing Facility Care Services as Telehealth Services
190.3.6 – Payment for Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) as a
Telehealth Service
190.4 - Conditions of Payment
190.5 - Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Methodology
190.6 - Payment Methodology for Physician/Practitioner at the Distant Site
190.6.1 - Submission of Telehealth Claims for Distant Site Practitioners
190.6.2 - Exception for Store and Forward (Non-Interactive) Telehealth
190.7 - A/B MAC (B) Editing of Telehealth Claims
200 - Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy
210 - Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation
210.1 - Application of the Limitation
220 Chiropractic Services
230 - Primary Care Incentive Payment Program (PCIP)
230.1 - Definition of Primary Care Practitioners and Primary Care Services
230.2 - Coordination with Other Payments
230.3 - Claims Processing and Payment
10 - General
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-2020
This chapter provides claims processing instructions for physician and nonphysician
practitioner services.
Most physician services are paid according to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
Section 20 below offers additional information on the fee schedule application. Chapter
23 includes the fee schedule format and payment localities, and identifies services that
are paid at reasonable charge rather than based on the fee schedule. In addition:
• Chapter 13 describes billing and payment for radiology services.
• Chapter 16 outlines billing and payment under the laboratory fee schedule.
• Chapter 17 provides a description of billing and payment for drugs.
• Chapter 18 describes billing and payment for preventive services and screening
tests.
The Medicare Manual Pub 100-1, Medicare General Information, Eligibility, and
Entitlement Manual, Chapter 5, provides definitions for the following:
Physician;
Doctors of Medicine and Osteopathy;
Dentists;
Doctors of Podiatric Medicine;
Optometrists;
Chiropractors (but only for spinal manipulation); and
Interns and Residents.
The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, provides coverage policy for the
following services.
Telephone services;
Consultations;
Patient initiated second opinions; and
Concurrent care.
Chapter 26 provides guidance on completing and submitting Medicare claims.
20 - Medicare Physicians Fee Schedule (MPFS)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15000
A/B MACs (B) pay for physicians’ services furnished on or after January 1, 1992, on the
basis of a fee schedule. The Medicare allowed charge for such physicians’ services is the
lower of the actual charge or the fee schedule amount. The Medicare payment is 80
percent of the allowed charge after the deductible is met.
Chapter 23 provides a list of physicians’ services payable based on the Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).
20.1 - Method for Computing Fee Schedule Amount
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15006
The CMS continually updates, refines, and alters the methods used in computing the fee
schedule amount. For example, input from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
has led to alterations in the supplies and equipment used in the computation of the fee
schedule for selected procedures. Likewise, new research has changed the payments
made for physical and occupational therapy. The CMS provides the updated fee
schedules to A/B MACs (B) on an annual basis. The sections below introduce the
formulas used for fee schedule computations.
A. Formula
The fully implemented resource-based MPFS amount for a given service can be
computed by using the formula below:
MPFS Amount = [(RVUw x GPCIw) + (RVUpe x GPCIpe) +
(RVUm x GPCIm)] x CF
Where:
RVUw equals a relative value for physician work,
RVUpe equals a relative value for practice expense, and
RVUm refers to a relative value for malpractice.
In order to consider geographic differences in each payment locality, three geographic
practice cost indices (GPCIs) are included in the core formula:
• A GPCI for physician work (GPCIw),
• A GPCI for practice expense (GPCIpe), and
• A GPCI for malpractice (GPCIm).
The above variables capture the efforts and productivity of the physician, his/her
individualized costs for staff and for productivity-enhancing technology and materials.
The applicable national conversion factor (CF) is then used in the computation of every
MPFS amount.
The national conversion factors are:
2002 - $36.1992
2001 - $38.2581
2000 - $36.6137
1999 - $34.7315
1998 - $36.6873
1997 - $40.9603 (Surgical); $33.8454 (Nonsurgical); $35.7671 (Primary Care)
1996 - $40.7986 (Surgical); $34.6296 (Nonsurgical); $35.4173 (Primary Care)
1995 - $39.447 (Surgical); $34.616 (Nonsurgical); $36.382 (Primary Care)
1994 - $35.158 (Surgical); $32.905 (Nonsurgical); $33.718 (Primary Care)
1993 - $31.926 (Surgical); $31,249 (Nonsurgical);
1992 - $31.001
For the years 1999 through 2002, payments attributable to practice expenses transitioned
from charge-based amounts to resource-based practice expense RVUs. The CMS used
the following transition formula to calculate the practice expense RVUs.
1999 - 75 percent of charged-based RVUs and 25 percent of the resource-based
RVUs.
2000 - 50 percent of the charge-based RVUs and 50 percent of the resource-based
RVUs.
2001 - 25 percent of the charge-based RVUs and 75 percent of the resource-based
RVUs.
2002 - 100 percent of the resource-based RVUs.
As the tabular display introduced earlier indicates, CMS has calculated separate facility
and nonfacility resource-based practice expense RVUs.
B. Example of Computation of Fee Schedule Amount
The following example further clarifies the computation of a fee schedule amount.
Background Example
Nationwide, cardiovascular disease has retained its position as a primary cause of
morbidity and mortality. Currently, cardiovascular disease affects approximately 61.8
million Americans. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for over 40 percent of all
deaths in the United States. However, 84.3 percent of those deaths are persons age 65
and above.
Organ transplantation is one modality that has been used in the treatment of
cardiovascular disease. Currently over 2,000 persons per year receive a heart transplant.
However, another 2,300 persons are on the waiting list. Because of the disparity between
the demand and supply of organs, mechanical heart valves are now covered under
Medicare.
Sample Computation of Fee Schedule
Patients fitted with a mechanical heart valve require intensive home international
normalized ratio (INR) monitoring by his/her physician. Physician services required may
include instructions on demonstrations to the patient regarding the use and maintenance
of the INR monitor, instructions regarding the use of a blood sample for reporting home
INR test results, and full confirmation that the client can competently complete the
required self-testing.
Assumptions
RVUw = 0
Given the nature of the example, the physician would, under product code G0248, not be
allowed to assign work RVUs.
RVUm = .01
However, the treatment of the patient with a mechanical heart carries a level of risk.
RVUpe = 2.92
Based upon a relatively intense level of staff time for an RN/LRN, or MN, as well as a
supply list that includes a relatively sophisticated home INR monitor, batteries,
educational materials, test strips and other materials, the RVUpe can be assigned a value
of 2.92.
The above values require modification by regionally based values for work, practice, and
malpractice. If the city is assumed to be Birmingham, Alabama, the values below can be
assigned based upon current data.
GPCIw = 0.994
GPCIpe = 0.912
GPCIm = 0.927
The above indices suggest that the index in Birmingham is .6 percent below the national
norm for physician work intensity, 8.8 percent below the national norm for practice
expenses, and 7.3 percent below the national norm for malpractice.
If the assumption is made that the nonfacility payment for a home visit is $166.52, the
full fee schedule payment can be computed through substitution into the formula.
Payment = (RVUw x GPCIw + (RVUpe x GPCIpe) + RVUm + GPCIm x
physician fee schedule payment.
Payment = (0 x .994) + (2.92 x .927) + (.01 x .912) x $166.52 =
Payment = (0) + (2.70684) + (.00912) x 166.52
Payment = $452.26166 or $452.26 when rounded to the nearest cent.
The above example is purely illustrative. The CMS completes all calculations and
provides A/B MACs (B) with final fee schedules for each locality via the Medicare
Physicians’ Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB). Localities used to pay services under the
MPFS are listed in Chapter 23.
20.2 - Relative Value Units (RVUs)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
Resource-based practice expenses relative value units (RVUs) comprise the core of
physician fees paid under Medicare Part B payment policies. The CMS provides A/B
MACs (B) with the fee schedule RVUs for all services except the following:
Those with local codes;
Those with national codes for which national relative values have not been
established;
Those requiring “By Report” payment or A/B MAC (B) pricing; and
Those that are not included in the definition of physicians’ services.
For services with national codes but for which national relative values have not been
provided, A/B MACs (B) must establish local relative values (to be multiplied, in the
MCS system, by the national CF), as appropriate, or establish a flat local payment
amount. A/B MACs (B) may choose between these options.
The “By Report” services (with national codes or modifiers) include services with codes
ending in 99, team surgery services, unusual services, pricing of the technical component
for positron emission tomography reduced services, and radio nuclide codes A4641 and
79900. The status indicators of the Medicare fee schedule database identify these
specific national codes and modifiers that A/B MACs (B) are to continue to pay on a “By
Report” basis. A/B MACs (B) may not establish RVUs for them. Similarly, A/B MACs
(B) may not establish RVUs for “By Report” services with local codes or modifiers.
Additionally, A/B MACs (B) do not establish fees for noncovered services or for services
always bundled into another service. The MPFSDB identifies noncovered national codes
and codes that are always bundled.
A. Diagnostic Procedures and Other Codes With Professional and Technical
Components
For diagnostic procedure codes and other codes describing services with both
professional and technical components, relative values are provided for the global
service, the professional component, and the technical component. The CMS makes the
determination of which HCPCS codes fall into this category.
B. No Special RVUs for Limited License Practitioners
There are no special RVUs for limited license physicians, e.g., optometrists and
podiatrists. The fee schedule RVUs apply to a service regardless of whether a medical
doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or limited license physician performs the service. A/B
MACs (B) may not restrict either physicians, independently practicing physical
therapists, and/or other providers of covered services by the use of these codes.
20.3 - Bundled Services/Supplies
(Rev. 147, 04-23-04)
There are a number of services/supplies that are covered under Medicare and that have
HCPCS codes, but they are services for which Medicare bundles payment into the
payment for other related services. If A/B MACs (B) receive a claim that is solely for a
service or supply that must be mandatorily bundled, the claim for payment should be
denied by the A/B MAC (B).
A. Routinely Bundled
Separate payment is never made for routinely bundled services and supplies. The CMS
has provided RVUs for many of the bundled services/supplies. However, the RVUs are
not for Medicare payment use. A/B MACs (B) may not establish their own relative
values for these services.
B. Injection Services
Injection services (codes 90782, 90783, 90784, 90788, and 90799) included in the fee
schedule are not paid for separately if the physician is paid for any other physician fee
schedule service rendered at the same time. A/B MACs (B) must pay separately for those
injection services only if no other physician fee schedule service is being paid. In either
case, the drug is separately payable. If, for example, code 99211 is billed with an
injection service, pay only for code 99211 and the separately payable drug. (See section
30.6.7.D.) Injection services that are immunizations with hepatitis B, pneumococcal, and
influenza vaccines are not included in the fee schedule and are paid under the drug
pricing methodology as described in Chapter 17.
C. Global Surgical Packages
The MPFSDB lists the global charge period applicable to surgical procedures.
D. Intra-Operative and/or Duplicate Procedures
Chapter 23 and §30 of this chapter describe the correct coding initiative (CCI) and
policies to detect improper coding and duplicate procedures.
E. EKG Interpretations
For services provided between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 1993, A/B MACs (B)
must not make separate payment for EKG interpretations performed or ordered as part of,
or in conjunction with, visit or consultation services. The EKG interpretation codes that
are bundled in this way are 93000, 93010, 93040, and 93042. Virtually, all EKGs are
performed as part of or ordered in conjunction with a visit, including a hospital visit.
If the global code is billed for, i.e., codes 93000 or 93040, A/B MACs (B) should assume
that the EKG interpretation was performed or ordered as part of a visit or consultation.
Therefore, they make separate payment for the tracing only portion of the service, i.e.,
code 93005 for 93000 and code 93041 for 93040. When the A/B MAC (B) makes this
assumption in processing a claim, they include a message to that effect on the Medicare
Summary Notice (MSN).
For services provided on or after January 1, 1994, A/B MACs (B) make separate payment
for an EKG interpretation.
20.4 - Summary of Adjustments to Fee Schedule Computations
(Rev. 1931, Issued: 03-12-10, Effective: 06-14-10, Implementation: 06-14-10)
For services prior to January 1, 1994, A/B MACs (B) computed the fee schedule amount
for every service. Through 1995, the fee schedule amount is the transition fee schedule
amount. For services after 1995, CMS computes and provides the fee schedule amount
for every service discussed above.
Certain adjustments are made in order to arrive at the final fee schedule amount.
Those adjustments are:
• Participating versus nonparticipating differential;
• Reduction for re-operations;
• Site of service payment adjustment;
• Multiple surgeries;
• Bilateral surgery;
• Anti-Markup Payment Limitation;
• Provider providing less than global fee package;
• Assistant at surgery;
• Two surgeons/surgical team; and
• Supplies.
20.4.1 - Participating Versus Nonparticipating Differential
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15032
For services/supplies rendered prior to January 1, 1994, the amounts allowed to
nonparticipating physicians, under the fee schedule may not exceed 95 percent of the
participating fee schedule amount. Payments to other entities under the fee schedule
(physiological and independent laboratories, physical and occupational therapists,
portable x-ray suppliers, etc.) are not subject to this differential unless the entities are
billing for a physician’s professional service. When a nonparticipating nonphysician is
billing for a physician’s professional service, Medicare’s allowance could not exceed 95
percent of the fee schedule amount.
For services/supplies rendered on or after January 1, 1994, payments to any
nonparticipant may not exceed 95 percent of the fee schedule amount or other payment
basis for the service/supply. This five percent reduction applies not only to
nonparticipating physicians, physician assistants, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse
specialists but also to entities such as nonparticipating portable x-ray suppliers,
independently practicing physical and occupational therapists, audiologists, and other
diagnostic facilities. Furthermore, these nonparticipating entities including physicians,
are subject to the five percent reduction not only when they bill for services paid for
under the physician fee schedule, but also when they bill for services that are legally
billable under the physician fee schedule, but which are based upon alternative payment
methodologies. As of January 1, 9994 and beyond, the services/supplies included in this
latter category are drugs and biologicals provided incident to physicians services. The
payment basis for these drugs and biologicals is the lower of the average wholesale price
(AWP) or the estimated acquisition cost (EAC). Therefore, the Medicare payment
allowance for “incident to” drugs and biologicals billed by and a nonparticipant cannot
exceed 95 percent of whichever is lower than the AWP or the EAC.
20.4.2 - Site of Service Payment Differential
(Rev. 3586, Issued: 08-12-16, Effective: 01-01-17, Implementation: 01-03-17)
Under the Medicare Physician Fee schedule (MPFS), some procedures have separate
rates for physicians’ services when provided in facility and nonfacility settings. The
CMS furnishes both rates in the MPFSDB update.
The rate, facility or nonfacility, that a physician service is paid under the MPFS is
determined by the Place of service (POS) code that is used to identify the setting where
the beneficiary received the face-to-face encounter with the physician, nonphysician
practitioner (NPP) or other supplier. In general, the POS code reflects the actual place
where the beneficiary receives the face-to-face service and determines whether the
facility or nonfacility payment rate is paid. However, for a service rendered to a patient
who is an inpatient of a hospital (POS code 21) or an outpatient of a hospital (POS codes
19 or 22), the facility rate is paid, regardless of where the face-to-face encounter with the
beneficiary occurred. For the professional component (PC) of diagnostic tests, the
facility and nonfacility payment rates are the same – irrespective of the POS code on the
claim. See chapter 13, section 150 of this manual for POS instructions for the PC and
technical component of diagnostic tests.
The list of settings where a physician’s services are paid at the facility rate include:
• Telehealth (POS 02);
• Outpatient Hospital-Off campus (POS code 19);
• Inpatient Hospital (POS code 21);
• Outpatient Hospital-On campus (POS code 22);
• Emergency Room-Hospital (POS code 23);
• Medicare-participating ambulatory surgical center (ASC) for a HCPCS code
included on the ASC approved list of procedures (POS code 24);
• Medicare-participating ASC for a procedure not on the ASC list of approved
procedures with dates of service on or after January 1, 2008. (POS code 24);
• Military Treatment Facility (POS Code 26);
• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) for a Part A resident (POS code 31);
• Hospice – for inpatient care (POS code 34);
• Ambulance – Land (POS code 41);
• Ambulance – Air or Water (POS code 42);
• Inpatient Psychiatric Facility (POS code 51);
• Psychiatric Facility -- Partial Hospitalization (POS code 52);
• Community Mental Health Center (POS code 53);
• Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center (POS code 56); and
• Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (POS code 61).
Physicians’ services are paid at nonfacility rates for procedures furnished in the following
settings:
• Pharmacy (POS code 01);
• School (POS code 03);
• Homeless Shelter (POS code 04);
• Prison/Correctional Facility (POS code 09);
• Office (POS code 11);
• Home or Private Residence of Patient (POS code 12);
• Assisted Living Facility (POS code 13);
• Group Home (POS code 14);
• Mobile Unit (POS code 15);
• Temporary Lodging (POS code 16);
• Walk-in Retail Health Clinic (POS code 17);
• Urgent Care Facility (POS code 20);
• Birthing Center (POS code 25);
• Nursing Facility and SNFs to Part B residents (POS code 32);
• Custodial Care Facility (POS code 33);
• Independent Clinic (POS code 49);
• Federally Qualified Health Center (POS code 50);
• Intermediate Health Care Facility/Mentally Retarded (POS code 54);
• Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (POS code 55);
• Non-Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (POS code 57);
• Mass Immunization Center (POS code 60);
• Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (POS code 62);
• End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Facility (POS code 65);
• State or Local Health Clinic (POS code 71);
• Rural Health Clinic (POS code 72);
• Independent Laboratory (POS code 81);and
• Other Place of Service (POS code 99).
See chapter 26, section 10.5 of this manual for the complete listing of the Place of
Service code set, including instructions and special considerations for the application of
certain POS codes under Medicare.
Nonfacility rates are applicable to outpatient rehabilitative therapy procedures, including
those relating to physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology,
regardless of whether they are furnished in facility or nonfacility settings. Nonfacility
rates also apply to all comprehensive outpatient rehabilitative facility (CORF) services.
In addition, payment is made at the nonfacility rate for physician services provided to
CORF patients and appropriately billed using POS code 62 for CORF.
20.4.3 - Assistant-at Surgery-Services
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
For assistant-at-surgery services performed by physicians, the fee schedule amount
equals 16 percent of the amount otherwise applicable for the surgical payment.
A/B MACs (B) may not pay assistants-at-surgery for surgical procedures in which a
physician is used as an assistant-at-surgery in fewer than five percent of the cases for that
procedure nationally. This is determined through manual reviews.
Procedures billed with the assistant-at-surgery physician modifiers -80, -81, -82, or the
AS modifier for physician assistants, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, are
subject to the assistant-at-surgery policy. Accordingly, pay claims for procedures with
these modifiers only if the services of an assistant-at-surgery are authorized.
Medicare’s policies on billing patients in excess of the Medicare allowed amount apply to
assistant-at-surgery services. Physicians who knowingly and willfully violate this
prohibition and bill a beneficiary for an assistant-at-surgery service for these procedures
may be subject to the penalties contained under §1842(j)(2) of the Social Security Act
(the Act.) Penalties vary based on the frequency and seriousness of the violation. Go
to http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1800.htm and select the relevant section.
20.4.4 - Supplies
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15900.2
A/B MACs (B) make a separate payment for supplies furnished in connection with a
procedure only when one of the two following conditions exists:
A. HCPCS code A4300 is billed in conjunction with the appropriate procedure in the
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Data Base (place of service is physician’s office).
However, A4550, A4300, and A4263 are no longer separately payable as of 2002.
Supplies have been incorporated into the practice expense RVU for 2002. Thus, no
payment may be made for these supplies for services provided on or after January 1,
2002.
B. The supply is a pharmaceutical or radiopharmaceutical diagnostic imaging agent
(including codes A4641 through A4647); pharmacologic stressing agent (code J1245); or
therapeutic radionuclide (CPT code 79900). Other agents may be used which do not
have an assigned HCPCS code. The procedures performed are:
• Diagnostic radiologic procedures (including diagnostic nuclear medicine)
requiring pharmaceutical or radiopharmaceutical contrast media and/or pharmacologic
stressing agent;
• Other diagnostic tests requiring a pharmacologic stressing agent;
• Clinical brachytherapy procedures (other than remote after-loading high intensity
brachytherapy procedures (CPT codes 77781 through 77784) for which the expendable
source is included in the TC RVUs); or
• Therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures.
Drugs are not supplies, and may be paid incidental to physicians’ services as described in
Chapter 17.
20.4.5 - Allowable Adjustments
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15055
Effective January 1, 2000, the replacement code (CPT 69990) for modifier -20 -
microsurgical techniques requiring the use of operating microscopes may be paid
separately only when submitted with CPT codes:
61304 through 61546
61550 through 61711
62010 through 62100
63081 through 63308
63704 through 63710
64831
64834 through 64836
64840 through 64858
64861 through 64871
64885 through 64891
64905 through 64907.
20.4.6 - Payment Due to Unusual Circumstances (Modifiers “-22” and
“-52”)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15028
The fees for services represent the average work effort and practice expenses required to
provide a service. For any given procedure code, there could typically be a range of work
effort or practice expense required to provide the service. Thus, A/B MACs (B) may
increase or decrease the payment for a service only under very unusual circumstances
based upon review of medical records and other documentation.
20.4.7 – Services That Do Not Meet the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Standard XR-29-2013
(Rev. 3402, Issued: 11-06-15, Effective: 01-01-16, Implementation: 01-04-16)
Section 218(a) of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA) is titled
“Quality Incentives To Promote Patient Safety and Public Health in Computed
Tomography Diagnostic Imaging.” It amends the Social Security Act (SSA) by reducing
payment for the technical component (and the technical component of the global fee) of
the Physician Fee Schedule service (5 percent in 2016 and 15 percent in 2017 and
subsequent years) for computed tomography (CT) services identified by CPT codes
70450-70498, 71250-71275, 72125-72133, 72191-72194, 73200-73206, 73700-73706,
74150-74178, 74261-74263, and 75571-75574 furnished using equipment that does not
meet each of the attributes of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Standard XR-29-2013, entitled “Standard Attributes on CT Equipment Related to Dose
Optimization and Management.”
The statutory provision requires that information be provided and attested to by a supplier
and a hospital outpatient department that indicates whether an applicable CT service was
furnished that was not consistent with the NEMA CT equipment standard, and that such
information may be included on a claim and may be a modifier. The statutory provision
also provides that such information shall be verified, as appropriate, as part of the
periodic accreditation of suppliers under SSA section 1834(e) and hospitals under SSA
section 1865(a). Any reduced expenditures resulting from this provision are not budget
neutral. To implement this provision, CMS created modifier “CT” (Computed
tomography services furnished using equipment that does not meet each of the attributes
of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) XR-29-2013 standard).
Beginning in 2016, claims for CT scans described by above-listed CPT codes (and any
successor codes) that are furnished on non-NEMA Standard XR-29-2013-compliant CT
scans must include modifier “CT” that will result in the applicable payment reduction.
A list of codes subject to the CT modifier will be maintained in the web supporting files
for the annual rule.
Beginning January 1, 2016, a payment reduction of 5 percent applies to the technical
component (and the technical component of the global fee) for Computed Tomography
(CT) services furnished using equipment that is inconsistent with the CT equipment
standard and for which payment is made under the physician fee schedule. This payment
reduction becomes 15 percent beginning January 1, 2017, and after.
20.4.8 - Special Rule to Incentivize Transition from Traditional X-Ray
Imaging to Digital Radiography
(Rev. 3583, Issued: 08-12-16, Effective: 01-01-17, Implementation: 01-03-17)
Section 502(a)(1) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 is titled "Medicare
Payment Incentive for the Transition from Traditional X-Ray Imaging to Digital
Radiography and Other Medicare Imaging Payment Provision." It amends the Social
Security Act (SSA) by reducing the payment amounts under the Physician Fee
Schedule by 20 percent for the technical component (and the technical component of the
global fee) of imaging services that are X-rays taken using film, effective January 1,
2017, and after.
Modifier FX (X ray taken using film) was created to implement this
provision. Beginning January 1, 2017, claims for X-rays using film must include
modifier FX, which will result in the applicable payment reduction.
20.4.8.1 - Remittance Advice Remark Codes (RARCs), Claim
Adjustment Reason Codes (CARCs), and Medicare Summary Notice
(MSN)
(Rev. 3583, Issued: 08-12-16, Effective: 01-01-17, Implementation: 01-03-17)
Contractors shall use the following messages when adjusting x-ray radiograph claim lines
that have been reported with the FX modifier:
CARC 237 – Legislated/Regulatory Penalty. At least one Remark Code must be provided
(may be comprised of either the NCPDP Reject Reason Code, or Remittance Advice
Remark Code that is not an ALERT.)
RARC N775 - Payment adjusted based on x-ray radiograph on film.
MSN 30.1 - The approved amount is based on a special payment method.
20.5 - No Adjustments in Fee Schedule Amounts
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15054
A/B MACs (B) may not make adjustments in fee schedule amounts provided by CMS
for:
• Inherent reasonableness;
• Comparability;
• Multiple visits to nursing homes (i.e., when more than one patient is seen during
the same trip);
• Refractions - If A/B MACs (B) receive a claim for a service that also indicates
that a refraction was done, A/B MACs (B) do not reduce payment for the service.
The CMS has already made the reduction in the fee for refractions provided to
A/B MACs (B);
• HCPCS alpha-numeric modifiers AT (acute treatment), ET (emergency
treatment), LT (left side of body), RT (right side of body), and SF (second
opinion ordered by PRO);
• CPT modifiers -23 (unusual anesthesia), -32 (mandated services), -47 (anesthesia
by surgeon), -76 (repeat procedure by same physician), and -90 (reference
laboratory); and
• A/B MAC (B)-unique local modifiers (HCPCS Level 3 modifiers beginning with
the letters w through z).
20.6- Update Factor for Fee Schedule Services
(Rev. 2464, Issued: 05-04-12, Effective: 10-01-11-MCS/10-01-12-VMS,
Implementation: 10-03-11-MCS, VMS Analysis and Design /10-01-12-VMS
implementation)
The CMS provides updates to the MPFSDB and other fee schedules annually or as otherwise
necessary. Claims processing A/B MACs (B) must maintain at least five full calendar
years of fee schedules and related pricing data (i.e., the current and four prior calendar
years), regardless of the number of updates or pricing periods within those five years.
20.7 - Comparability of Payment Provision of Delegation of Authority
by CMS to Railroad Retirement Board
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15064
The delegation of authority, under which the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)
administers the Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits Program for qualified railroad
retirement beneficiaries, requires that:
The Railroad Retirement Board shall take such action as may be necessary to
assure that payments made for services by the A/B MACs (A) it selects will
conform as closely as possible to the payment made for comparable services in
the same locality by an A/B MAC (A) acting for CMS.
The purpose of this comparability of payment is to reduce to the extent possible
disparities between the payments made by the A/B MAC (B) under the RRB delegation
and the payments made by the regular A/B MACs (B) for services or items furnished by
the same physicians, including provider-based physicians, or suppliers. For all services
paid for under the physician fee schedule, A/B MACs (B) under the RRB delegation pay
based on the same fee schedule amount used by the A/B MAC (B).
20.8 - Payment for Teleradiology Physician Services Purchased by the
Indian Health Service (IHS) Providers and Physicians
(Rev. 1643, Issued: 12-05-08, Effective: 01-01-07, Implementation: 03-09-09)
The IHS providers may choose to purchase or otherwise contract with non-IHS
physicians or practitioners for teleradiology interpretations services. These services may
be paid using either contractual reassignment or purchased test methodologies. See
Chapter 19, §120 of this manual for further information.
30 - Correct Coding Policy
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15068
The Correct Coding Initiative was developed to promote national correct coding
methodologies and to control improper coding leading to inappropriate payment in Part B
claims. Refer to Chapter 23 for additional information on the initiative.
The principles for the correct coding policy are:
• The service represents the standard of care in accomplishing the overall
procedure;
• The service is necessary to successfully accomplish the comprehensive procedure.
Failure to perform the service may compromise the success of the procedure; and
• The service does not represent a separately identifiable procedure unrelated to the
comprehensive procedure planned.
For a detailed description of the correct coding policy, refer
to http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-
MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/How-To-Use-NCCI-Tools.pdf.
The CMS as well as many third party payers have adopted the HCPCS/CPT coding
system for use by physicians and others to describe services rendered. The system
contains three levels of codes. Level I contains the American Medical Association’s
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) numeric codes. Level II contains alpha-numeric
codes primarily for items and services not included in CPT. Level III contains A/B MAC
(B) specific codes that are not included in either Level I or Level II. For a list of CPT
and HCPCS codes refer to the CMS Web site.
The following general coding policies encompass coding principles that are to be applied
in the review of Medicare claims. They are the basis for the correct coding edits that are
installed in the claims processing systems effective January 1, 1996.
A. Coding Based on Standards of Medical/Surgical Practice
All services integral to accomplishing a procedure are considered bundled into that
procedure and, therefore, are considered a component part of the comprehensive code.
Many of these generic activities are common to virtually all procedures and, on other
occasions, some are integral to only a certain group of procedures, but are still essential
to accomplish these particular procedures. Accordingly, it is inappropriate to separately
report these services based on standard medical and surgical principles.
Because many services are unique to individual CPT coding sections, the rationale for
rebundling is described in that particular section of the detailed coding narratives that are
transmitted to A/B MACs (B) periodically.
B. CPT Procedure Code Definition
The format of the CPT manual includes descriptions of procedures, which are, in order to
conserve space, not listed in their entirety for all procedures. The partial description is
indented under the main entry. The main entry then encompasses the portion of the
description preceding the semicolon. The main entry applies to and is a part of all
indented entries, which follow with their codes.
In the course of other procedure descriptions, the code definition specifies other
procedures that are included in this comprehensive code. In addition, a code description
may define a rebundling relationship where one code is a part of another based on the
language used in the descriptor.
C. CPT Coding Manual Instruction/Guideline
Each of the six major subsections include guidelines that are unique to that section.
These directions are not all inclusive of nor limited to, definitions of terms, modifiers,
unlisted procedures or services, special or written reports, details about reporting
separate, and multiple or starred procedures and qualifying circumstances.
D. Coding Services Supplemental to Principal Procedure (Add-On Codes) Code
Generally, these are identified with the statement “list separately in addition to code for
primary procedure” in parentheses, and other times the supplemental code is used only
with certain primary codes, which are parenthetically identified. The reason for these
CPT codes is to enable physicians and others to separately identify a service that is
performed in certain situations as an additional service. Incidental services that are
necessary to accomplish the primary procedure (e.g., lysis of adhesions in the course of
an open cholecystectomy) are not separately billed.
E. Separate Procedures
The narrative for many CPT codes includes a parenthetical statement that the procedure
represents a “separate procedure.”
The inclusion of this statement indicates that the procedure, while possible to perform
separately, is generally included in a more comprehensive procedure, and the service is
not to be billed when a related, more comprehensive, service is performed. The “separate
procedure” designation is used with codes in the surgery (CPT codes 10000-69999),
radiology (CPT codes 70000-79999), and medicine (CPT codes 90000-99199) sections.
When a related procedure from the same section, subsection, category, or subcategory is
performed, a code with the designation of “separate procedure” is not to be billed with
the primary procedure.
F. Designation of Sex
Many procedure codes have a sex designation within their narrative. These codes are not
billed with codes having an opposite sex designation because this would reflect a conflict
in sex classification either by the definition of the code descriptions themselves, or by the
fact that the performance of these procedures on the same beneficiary would be
anatomically impossible.
G. Family of Codes
In a family of codes, there are two or more component codes that are not billed separately
because they are included in a more comprehensive code as members of the code family.
Comprehensive codes include certain services that are separately identifiable by other
component codes. The component codes as members of the comprehensive code family
represent parts of the procedure that should not be listed separately when the complete
procedure is done. However, the component codes are considered individually if
performed independently of the complete procedure and if not all the services listed in the
comprehensive codes were rendered to make up the total service.
H. Most Extensive Procedures
When procedures are performed together that are basically the same or performed on the
same site but are qualified by an increased level of complexity, the less extensive
procedure is bundled into the more extensive procedure.
I. Sequential Procedures
An initial approach to a procedure may be followed at the same encounter by a second,
usually more invasive approach. There may be separate CPT codes describing each
service. The second procedure is usually performed because the initial approach was
unsuccessful in accomplishing the medically necessary service. These procedures are
considered “sequential procedures.” Only the CPT code for one of the services, generally
the more invasive service, should be billed.
J. With/Without Procedures
In the CPT manual, there are various procedures that have been separated into two codes
with the definitional difference being “with” versus “without” (e.g., with and without
contrast). Both procedure codes cannot be billed. When done together, the “without”
procedure is bundled into the “with” procedure.
K. Laboratory Panels
When components of a specific organ or disease oriented laboratory panel (e.g., codes
80061 and 80059) or automated multi-channel tests (e.g., codes 80002 - 80019) are billed
separately, they must be bundled into the comprehensive panel or automated multi-
channel test code as appropriate that includes the multiple component tests. The
individual tests that make up a panel or can be performed on an automated multi-channel
test analyzer are not to be separately billed.
L. Mutually Exclusive Procedures
There are numerous procedure codes that are not billed together because they are
mutually exclusive of each other. Mutually exclusive codes are those codes that cannot
reasonably be done in the same session.
An example of a mutually exclusive situation is when the repair of the organ can be
performed by two different methods. One repair method must be chosen to repair the
organ and must be billed. Another example is the billing of an “initial” service and a
“subsequent” service. It is contradictory for a service to be classified as an initial and a
subsequent service at the same time.
CPT codes which are mutually exclusive of one another based either on the CPT
definition or the medical impossibility/improbability that the procedures could be
performed at the same session can be identified as code pairs. These codes are not
necessarily linked to one another with one code narrative describing a more
comprehensive procedure compared to the component code, but can be identified as code
pairs which should not be billed together.
M. Use of Modifiers
When certain component codes or mutually exclusive codes are appropriately furnished,
such as later on the same day or on a different digit or limb, it is appropriate that these
services be reported using a HCPCS code modifier. Such modifiers are modifiers E1 -
E4, FA, F1 - F9, TA, T1 - T9, LT, RT, LC, LD, RC, -58, -78, -79, and -94.
Modifier -59 is not appropriate to use with weekly radiation therapy management codes
(77427) or with evaluation and management services codes (99201 - 99499).
Application of these modifiers prevent erroneous denials of claims for several procedures
performed on different anatomical sites, on different sides of the body, or at different
sessions on the same date of service. The medical record must reflect that the modifier is
being used appropriately to describe separate services.
30.1 - Digestive System (Codes 40000 - 49999)
(Rev. 3368, Issued: 10-09-15, Effective: 01-01-16, Implementation: 01-01-16)
A. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Including Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
(Code 43259)
If the person performing the original diagnostic endoscopy has access to the EUS and the
clinical situation requires an EUS, the EUS may be done at the same time. The
procedure, diagnostic and EUS, is reported under the same code, CPT 43259. This code
conforms to CPT guidelines for the indented codes. The service represented by the
indented code, in this case code 43259 for EUS, includes the service represented by the
unintended code preceding the list of indented codes. Therefore, when a diagnostic
examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract “including esophagus, stomach, and either
the duodenum or jejunum as appropriate,” includes the use of endoscopic
ultrasonography, the service is reported by a single code, namely 43259.
Interpretation, whether by a radiologist or endoscopist, is reported under CPT code
76975-26. These codes may both be reported on the same day.
B. Incomplete Colonoscopies (Codes 44388, 45378, G0105 and G0121)
An incomplete colonoscopy, e.g., the inability to advance the colonoscope to the cecum
or colon-small intestine anastomosis due to unforeseen circumstances, is billed and paid
using colonoscopy through stoma code 44388, colonoscopy code 45378, and screening
colonoscopy codes G0105 and G0121 with modifier “-53.” (Code 44388 is valid with
modifier 53 beginning January 1, 2016.) The Medicare physician fee schedule database
has specific values for codes 44388-53, 45378-53, G0105-53 and G0121-53. An
incomplete colonoscopy performed prior to January 1, 2016, is paid at the same rate as a
sigmoidoscopy. Beginning January 1, 2016, Medicare will pay for the interrupted
colonoscopy at a rate that is calculated using one-half the value of the inputs for the
codes.
30.2 - Urinary and Male Genital Systems (Codes 50010 - 55899)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15200
A. Cystourethroscopy With Ureteral Catheterization (Code 52005)
Code 52005 has a zero in the bilateral field (payment adjustment for bilateral procedure
does not apply) because the basic procedure is an examination of the bladder and urethra
(cystourethroscopy), which are not paired organs. The work RVUs assigned take into
account that it may be necessary to examine and catheterize one or both ureters. No
additional payment is made when the procedure is billed with bilateral modifier “-50.”
Neither is any additional payment made when both ureters are examined and code 52005
is billed with multiple surgery modifier “-51.” It is inappropriate to bill code 52005
twice, once by itself and once with modifier “-51,” when both ureters are examined.
B. Cystourethroscopy With Fulgration and/or Resection of Tumors (Codes 52234,
52235, and 52240)
The descriptors for codes 52234 through 52240 include the language “tumor(s).”
This means that regardless of the number of tumors removed, only one unit of a single
code can be billed on a given date of service. It is inconsistent to allow payment for
removal of a small (code 52234) and a large (code 52240) tumor using two codes when
only one code is allowed for the removal of more than one large tumor. For these three
codes only one unit may be billed for any of these codes, only one of the codes may be
billed, and the billed code reflects the size of the largest tumor removed.
30.3 - Audiology Services
(Rev. 2044, Issued: 09-03-10, Effective: 09-30-10, Implementation: 09-30-10)
Section 1861(ll)(3)of the Social Security Act (the Act) defines “audiology services” as
such hearing and balance assessment services furnished by a qualified audiologist as the
audiologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory
mechanism provided by State law), as would otherwise by covered if furnished by a
physician. In this section, these hearing and balance assessment services are termed
“audiology services,” regardless of whether they are furnished by an audiologist,
physician, nonphysician practitioner (NPP), or hospital.
Because audiology services are diagnostic tests, when furnished in an office or hospital
outpatient department, they must be furnished by or under the appropriate level of
supervision of a physician as established in 42 CFR 410.32(b)(1) and 410.28(e). If not
personally furnished by a physician, audiologist, or NPP, audiology services must be
performed under direct physician supervision. As specified in 42 CFR 410.32(b)(2)(ii) or
(v), respectively, these services are excepted from physician supervision when they are
personally furnished by a qualified audiologist or performed by a nurse practitioner or
clinical nurse specialist authorized to perform the tests under applicable State laws.
References to technicians apply also to other qualified clinical staff. See Pub. 100-02,
chapter 15, section 80.3.D.
A. Correct Reporting
1. General. Contact the A/B MAC (B) for guidance if the CPT codebook changes the
description of codes mentioned in this section.
Other policies concerning audiological services are found in Pub. 100-02, chapter 15,
section 80.3.
See chapter 26 of this manual for place of service and type of service coding.
Section 4541(a)(2) of the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) (P.L. 105-33), which added
section 1834(k)(5) to (the Act), required that all claims for certain audiology services be
reported using a uniform coding system. CMS chose HCPCS (Healthcare Common
Procedure Coding System) as the coding system for the reporting of these services. This
coding requirement is effective for all claims for audiology services submitted on or after
April 1, 1998.
The BBA also required payment under a prospective payment system for audiology
services. Effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 1999, the
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) became the method of payment for audiology
services furnished in the office setting and for the associated professional services
furnished in physician’s office and hospital outpatient settings.
2. Use of the NPI. For audiologists who are enrolled and bill independently for services
they render, the audiologist’s NPI is required on all claims they submit. For example, in
offices and private practice settings, an enrolled audiologist shall use his or her own NPI
in the rendering loop to bill under the MPFS for the services the audiologist furnished. If
an enrolled audiologist furnishing services to hospital outpatients reassigns his/her
benefits to the hospital, the hospital may bill the A/B MAC (B) for the professional
services of the audiologist under the MPFS using the NPI of the audiologist. If an
audiologist is employed by a hospital but is not enrolled in Medicare, the only payment
for a hospital outpatient audiology service that can be made is the payment to the hospital
for its facility services under the hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)
or other applicable hospital payment system. No payment can be made under the MPFS
for professional services of an audiologist who is not enrolled.
Audiologists must be enrolled and use their NPI on claims for services they render in
office settings on or after October 1, 2008 (for additional information about enrollment,
refer to Pub. 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, chapter 15). Before October 1,
2008, the services of audiologists who were not yet enrolled in Medicare were billed by a
physician or group who employed the audiologist. Audiologists shall use the billing
instructions in the Medicare manuals; for example, see this manual, chapter 1, section 30.
See the most recent MPFS for pricing and physician supervision levels for audiology
services: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PFSlookup/01_Overview.asp#TopOfPage. The NPI
of the supervising physician shall be used to bill audiology services when supervision is
appropriate.
The most recent OPPS pricing for audiology services is available in Addendum B
at: http://www.cms.gov/HospitalOutpatientPPS/AU/list.asp#TopOfPage.
B. Billing for Audiology Services
See the CMS Web site at: www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-
Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/index.html? and select Audiology from the column on the
left for a listing of all CPT codes for audiology services. For information concerning
codes that are not on the list, and which codes may be billed when furnished by
technicians, A/B MACs (B) shall provide guidance. The Physician Fee Schedule
at http://www.cms.gov/PFSlookup/01_Overview.asp#TopOfPage allows you to search
pricing amounts, various payment policy indicators, RVUs, and GPCIs.
Audiology services may not be billed when the place of service is a comprehensive
outpatient rehabilitation facility (CORF) or a rehabilitation agency.
Audiology services may be furnished and billed by audiologists and, when these services
are furnished by an audiologist, no physician supervision is required.
The interpretation and report shall be written in the medical record by the audiologist,
physician, or NPP who personally furnished any audiology service, or by the physician
who supervised the service. Technicians shall not interpret audiology services, but may
record objective test results of those services they may furnish under direct physician
supervision. Payment for the interpretation and report of the services is included in
payment for all audiology services, and specifically in the professional component if the
audiology service has a professional component/technical component split.
1. Billing under the MPFS for Audiology Services Outside the Facility Setting
The individuals who furnish audiology services in all settings must be qualified to furnish
those services. The qualifications of the individual performing the services must be
consistent with the number, type and complexity of the tests, the abilities of the
individual, and the patient’s ability to interact to produce valid and reliable results. The
physician who supervises and bills for the service is responsible for assuring the
qualifications of the technician, if applicable are appropriate to the test.
a. Professional Skills.
When a professional personally furnishes an audiology service, that individual must
interact with the patient to provide professional skills and be directly involved in
decision-making and clinical judgment during the test.
The skills required when professionals furnish audiology services for payment under the
MPFS are masters or doctoral level skills that involve clinical judgment or assessment
and specialized knowledge and ability including, but not limited to, knowledge of
anatomy and physiology, neurology, psychology, physics, psychometrics, and
interpersonal communication. The interactions of these knowledge bases are required to
attain the clinical expertise for audiology tests. Also required are skills to administer
valid and reliable tests safely, especially when they involve stimulating the auditory
nerve and testing complex brain functions.
Diagnostic audiology services also require skills and judgment to administer and modify
tests, to make informed interpretations about the causes and implications of the test
results in the context of the history and presenting complaints, and to provide both
objective results and professional knowledge to the patient and to the ordering physician.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Comparison or consideration of the anatomical or physiological implications of
test results or patient responsiveness to stimuli during the test;
• Development and modification of the test battery and test protocols;
• Clinical judgment, assessment, evaluation, and decision-making;
• Interpretation and reporting observations, in addition to the objective data, that
may influence interpretation of the test outcomes;
• Tests related to implantation of auditory prosthetic devices, central auditory
processing, contralateral masking; and/or
• Tests to identify central auditory processing disorders, tinnitus, or nonorganic
hearing loss.
Audiology codes may be billed under the MPFS by audiologists, physicians, and NPPs
using their own NPI in the rendering loop when those professionals personally furnish the
test. Physicians and NPPs may not bill for these codes when an audiologist has furnished
the service.
b. Technician Skills.
There may be subtests, or parts of a battery of tests, that may be appropriately furnished
by an educated and experienced technician using a specific protocol under the direction
of a supervising physician. These services are identified by A/B MAC (B) determination
as services that do not require professional skills. They may be furnished by a qualified
technician under the direct supervision of a physician, but not under the supervision of an
audiologist or an NPP. The supervising physician is responsible for rendering and
documenting all clinical judgment and for the appropriate provision of the service by the
technician.
A technician may not perform any part of a service that requires professional skills. A
technician also may not perform a global service. For example, a technician may not
interpret test results or engage in clinical decision-making.
c. Professional Component (PC)/Technical Component (TC) Split Codes.
• The PC of a PC/TC split code may be billed by the audiologist, physician, or NPP
who personally furnishes the service. (Note this is also true in the facility setting.)
A physician or NPP may bill for the PC when the physician or NPP furnish the
PC and an (unsupervised) audiologist furnishes and bills for the TC. The PC may
not be billed if a technician furnishes the service. A physician or NPP may not
bill for a PC service furnished by an audiologist.
• The TC of a PC/TC split code may be billed by the audiologist, physician, or NPP
who personally furnishes the service. Physicians may bill the TC for services
furnished by technicians when the technician furnishes the service under the
direct supervision of that physician. Audiologists and NPPs may not bill for the
TC of the service when a technician furnishes the service, even if the technician is
supervised by the NPP or audiologist.
• The “global” service is billed when both the PC and TC of a service are
personally furnished by the same audiologist, physician, or NPP. The global
service may also be billed by a physician, but not an audiologist or NPP, when a
technician furnishes the TC of the service under direct physician supervision and
that physician furnishes the PC, including the interpretation and report.
d. Tests that are Not Described by Specific CPT Codes. Tests that have no appropriate
CPT code may be reported under CPT code 92700 (Unlisted otorhinolaryngological
service or procedure).
e. Tests that are A/B MAC (B)-Priced. For codes valued by A/B MACs (B), the A/B
MAC (B) determines whether and how much, if applicable, to pay for the service. The
A/B MAC (B) sets the requirements for personnel furnishing the tests.
2. Billing for Audiology Services Furnished to Hospital Outpatients.
All codes may be reported for audiology services furnished in the hospital outpatient
setting and, in such cases, the code represents the facility service for the diagnostic test.
All audiology services furnished to hospital outpatients must be billed and paid to the
hospital under the OPPS or other applicable hospital payment system. The hospital bills
its A/B MAC (A) and is paid for the facility resources required to furnish the services,
regardless of whether the service is furnished by a physician, NPP, audiologist, or
technician.
Physicians, NPPs, and audiologists cannot bill and be paid for the TC of PC/TC split
codes when these services are furnished to hospital outpatients. The associated
professional services (represented by the PC or the CPT code for the audiology test which
has no PC/TC split) of an enrolled audiologist, physician, or NPP who has reassigned
benefits may be billed by the hospital to the A/B MAC (B), as appropriate. Alternatively,
if the physician, NPP, or audiologist has not assigned benefits, the professional would bill
his/her A/B MAC (B) for the professional services furnished.
The appropriate revenue code for reporting audiology services is 0470 (Audiology;
General Classification). Providers are required to report a line-item date of service per
revenue code line for audiology services.
3. Billing for Audiology Services Furnished to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Patients.
Payment for the facility resources (including the TC of PC/TC split codes) of audiology
services provided to Part A inpatients of SNFs is included in the PPS rate. For SNFs, if
the beneficiary has Part B but not Part A coverage (e.g., Part A benefits are exhausted),
the SNF may elect to bill for audiology services but is not required to do so. As
explained in Pub. 100-04, chapter 7, section 40.1, since audiology services furnished
during a noncovered SNF stay are not bundled with speech-language pathology services,
payment can be made either to the SNF or to the audiology service provider/supplier.
Audiologists, physicians, and NPPs enrolled in Medicare may bill directly for services
rendered to Medicare beneficiaries who are in a SNF stay that is not covered by Part A
but who have Part B eligibility. Payment is made based on the MPFS, whether on an
institutional or professional claim. For beneficiaries in a noncovered SNF stay,
audiology services are payable under Part B when billed by the SNF on an institutional
claim as type of bill 22X, or when billed directly by the provider or supplier of the
service (the audiologist, physician, or NPP who personally furnishes the test) on a
professional claim. For PC/TC split codes, the SNF may elect to bill for the TC of the
test on an institutional claim but is not required to bill for the service.
C. Implant Processing
Payment for diagnostic testing of implants, such as cochlear, osseointegrated or
brainstem implants, including programming or reprogramming following implantation
surgery is not included in the global fee for the surgery.
The diagnostic analysis of a cochlear implant shall be billed using CPT codes 92601
through 92604.
Osseointegrated prosthetic devices should be billed and paid for under provisions of the
applicable payment system. For example, payment may differ depending upon whether
the device is furnished on an inpatient or outpatient basis, and by a hospital subject to the
OPPS, or by a Critical Access Hospital, physician’s clinic, or a Federally Qualified
Health Center.
D. Aural Rehabilitation Services
General policy for evaluation and treatment of conditions related to the auditory system.
For evaluation of auditory processing disorders and speech-reading or lip-reading by a
speech-language pathologist, use the untimed code 92506 with “1” as the unit of service,
regardless of the duration of the service on a given day. This “always therapy”
evaluation code must be provided by speech-language pathologists according to the
policies in Pub. 100-02, chapter 15, sections 220 and 230. The codes 92620 and 92621
are diagnostic audiological tests and may not be used for SLP services.
For treatment of auditory processing disorders or auditory rehabilitation/auditory training
(including speech-reading or lip-reading), 92507, and 92508 are used to report a single
encounter with “1” as the unit of service, regardless of the duration of the service on a
given day. These codes always represent SLP services. See Pub. 100-02, chapter 15,
sections 220 and 230 for SLP policies. These SLP evaluation and treatment services are
not covered when performed or billed by audiologists, even if they are supervised by
physicians or qualified NPPs.
For evaluation of auditory rehabilitation to instruct the use of residual hearing provided
by an implant or hearing aid related to hearing loss, the timed codes 92626 and 92627 are
used. These are not “always therapy” codes. Evaluation of auditory rehabilitation shall
be appropriately provided and billed by an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.
Also, these services may be provided incident to a physician’s or qualified NPP’s service
by a speech-language pathologist, or personally by a physician or qualified NPP within
their scope of practice. Evaluation of auditory rehabilitation is a covered diagnostic test
when performed and billed by an audiologist and is an SLP evaluation service covered
under the SLP benefit when performed by a speech-language pathologist.
General policies for post implant services.
The services of a speech-language pathologist may be covered for SLP services provided
after implantation of auditory devices. For example, a speech-language pathologist may
provide evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognition, voice, and auditory
processing using code 92506 and 92507. Use 92626 and 92627 for auditory (aural)
rehabilitation evaluation following cochlear implantation or for other hearing
impairments.
For diagnostic testing of cochlear implants, audiologists use codes 92601, 92602, 92603
and 92604. These services may not be provided by speech-language pathologists or
others, with the exception of physicians and NPPs who may personally provide the
services that are within their scope of practice.
30.4 - Cardiovascular System (Codes 92950-93799)
(Rev. 979, Issued: 06-09-06, Effective: 07-10-06, Implementation: 07-10-06)
A. Echocardiography Contrast Agents
Effective October 1, 2000, physicians may separately bill for contrast agents used in
echocardiography. Physicians should use HCPCS Code A9700 (Supply of Injectable
Contrast Material for Use in Echocardiography, per study). The type of service code is 9.
This code will be A/B MAC (B)-priced.
B. Electronic Analyses of Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillators and Pacemakers
The CPT codes 93731, 93734, 93741 and 93743 are used to report electronic analyses of
single or dual chamber pacemakers and single or dual chamber implantable cardioverter-
defibrillators. In the office, a physician uses a device called a programmer to obtain
information about the status and performance of the device and to evaluate the patient’s
cardiac rhythm and response to the implanted device.
Advances in information technology now enable physicians to evaluate patients with
implanted cardiac devices without requiring the patient to be present in the physician’s
office. Using a manufacturer’s specific monitor/transmitter, a patient can send complete
device data and specific cardiac data to a distant receiving station or secure Internet
server. The electronic analysis of cardiac device data that is remotely obtained provides
immediate and long-term data on the device and clinical data on the patient’s cardiac
functioning equivalent to that obtained during an in-office evaluation. Physicians should
report the electronic analysis of an implanted cardiac device using remotely obtained data
as described above with CPT code 93731, 93734, 93741 or 93743, depending on the type
of cardiac device implanted in the patient.
30.5 - Payment for Codes for Chemotherapy Administration and
Nonchemotherapy Injections and Infusions
(Rev. 968. Issued: 05-26-06; Effective/Implementation Dates: 06-26-06)
A. General
Codes for Chemotherapy administration and nonchemotherapy injections and infusions
include the following three categories of codes in the American Medical Association’s
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT):
1. Hydration;
2. Therapeutic, prophylactic, and diagnostic injections and infusions (excluding
chemotherapy); and
3. Chemotherapy administration.
Physician work related to hydration, injection, and infusion services involves the
affirmation of the treatment plan and the supervision (pursuant to incident to
requirements) of nonphysician clinical staff.
B. Hydration
The hydration codes are used to report a hydration IV infusion which consists of a pre-
packaged fluid and /or electrolytes (e.g. normal saline, D5-1/2 normal saline +30 mg
EqKC1/liter) but are not used to report infusion of drugs or other substances.
C. Therapeutic, prophylactic, and diagnostic injections and infusions (excluding
chemotherapy)
A therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic IV infusion or injection, other than hydration,
is for the administration of substances/drugs. The fluid used to administer the drug (s) is
incidental hydration and is not separately payable.
If performed to facilitate the infusion or injection or hydration, the following services and
items are included and are not separately billable:
1. Use of local anesthesia;
2. IV start;
3. Access to indwelling IV, subcutaneous catheter or port;
4. Flush at conclusion of infusion; and
5. Standard tubing, syringes and supplies.
Payment for the above is included in the payment for the chemotherapy administration or
nonchemotherapy injection and infusion service.
If a significant separately identifiable evaluation and management service is performed,
the appropriate E & M code should be reported utilizing modifier 25 in addition to the
chemotherapy administration or nonchemotherapy injection and infusion service. For an
evaluation and management service provided on the same day, a different diagnosis is not
required.
The CPT 2006 includes a parenthetical remark immediately following CPT code 90772
(Therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic injection; (specify substance or drug);
subcutaneous or intramuscular.) It states, “Do not report 90772 for injections given
without direct supervision. To report, use 99211.”
This coding guideline does not apply to Medicare patients. If the RN, LPN or other
auxiliary personnel furnishes the injection in the office and the physician is not present in
the office to meet the supervision requirement, which is one of the requirements for
coverage of an incident to service, then the injection is not covered. The physician would
also not report 99211 as this would not be covered as an incident to service.
D. Chemotherapy Administration
Chemotherapy administration codes apply to parenteral administration of non-
radionuclide anti-neoplastic drugs; and also to anti-neoplastic agents provided for
treatment of noncancer diagnoses (e.g., cyclophosphamide for auto-immune conditions)
or to substances such as monoclonal antibody agents, and other biologic response
modifiers. The following drugs are commonly considered to fall under the category of
monoclonal antibodies: infliximab, rituximab, alemtuzumb, gemtuzumab, and
trastuzumab. Drugs commonly considered to fall under the category of hormonal
antineoplastics include leuprolide acetate and goserelin acetate. The drugs cited are not
intended to be a complete list of drugs that may be administered using the chemotherapy
administration codes. A/B MACs (B) may provide additional guidance as to which drugs
may be considered to be chemotherapy drugs under Medicare.
The administration of anti-anemia drugs and anti-emetic drugs by injection or infusion
for cancer patients is not considered chemotherapy administration.
If performed to facilitate the chemotherapy infusion or injection, the following services
and items are included and are not separately billable:
1. Use of local anesthesia;
2. IV access;
3. Access to indwelling IV, subcutaneous catheter or port;
4. Flush at conclusion of infusion;
5. Standard tubing, syringes and supplies; and
6. Preparation of chemotherapy agent(s).
Payment for the above is included in the payment for the chemotherapy administration
service.
If a significant separately identifiable evaluation and management service is performed,
the appropriate E & M code should be reported utilizing modifier 25 in addition to the
chemotherapy code. For an evaluation and management service provided on the same
day, a different diagnosis is not required.
E. Coding Rules for Chemotherapy Administration and Nonchemotherapy
Injections and Infusion Services
Instruct physicians to follow the CPT coding instructions to report chemotherapy
administration and nonchemotherapy injections and infusion services with the exception
listed in subsection C for CPT code 90772. The physician should be aware of the
following specific rules.
When administering multiple infusions, injections or combinations, the physician should
report only one “initial” service code unless protocol requires that two separate IV sites
must be used. The initial code is the code that best describes the key or primary reason
for the encounter and should always be reported irrespective of the order in which the
infusions or injections occur. If an injection or infusion is of a subsequent or concurrent
nature, even if it is the first such service within that group of services, then a subsequent
or concurrent code should be reported. For example, the first IV push given subsequent
to an initial one-hour infusion is reported using a subsequent IV push code.
If more than one “initial” service code is billed per day, the A/B MAC (B) shall deny the
second initial service code unless the patient has to come back for a separately
identifiable service on the same day or has two IV lines per protocol. For these
separately identifiable services, instruct the physician to report with modifier 59.
The CPT includes a code for a concurrent infusion in addition to an intravenous infusion
for therapy, prophylaxis or diagnosis. Allow only one concurrent infusion per patient per
encounter. Do not allow payment for the concurrent infusion billed with modifier 59
unless it is provided during a second encounter on the same day with the patient and is
documented in the medical record.
For chemotherapy administration and therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic injections
and infusions, an intravenous or intra-arterial push is defined as: 1.) an injection in
which the healthcare professional is continuously present to administer the
substance/drug and observe the patient; or 2.) an infusion of 15 minutes or less.
The physician may report the infusion code for “each additional hour” only if the infusion
interval is greater than 30 minutes beyond the 1 hour increment. For example if the
patient receives an infusion of a single drug that lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, the
physician would report the “initial” code up to 1 hour and the add-on code for the
additional 45 minutes.
Several chemotherapy administration and nonchemotherapy injection and infusion
service codes have the following parenthetical descriptor included as a part of the CPT
code, “List separately in addition to code for primary procedure.” Each of these codes
has a physician fee schedule indicator of “ZZZ” meaning this service is allowed if billed
with another chemotherapy administration or nonchemotherapy injection and infusion
service code.
Do not interpret this parenthetical descriptor to mean that the add-on code can be billed
only if it is listed with another drug administration primary code. For example, code
90761 will be ordinarily billed with code 90760. However, there may be instances when
only the add-on code, 90761, is billed because an “initial” code from another section in
the drug administration codes, instead of 90760, is billed as the primary code.
Pay for code 96523, “Irrigation of implanted venous access device for drug delivery
systems,” if it is the only service provided that day. If there is a visit or other
chemotherapy administration or nonchemotherapy injection or infusion service provided
on the same day, payment for 96523 is included in the payment for the other service.
F. Chemotherapy Administration (or Nonchemotherapy Injection and Infusion) and
Evaluation and Management Services Furnished on the Same Day
For services furnished on or after January 1, 2004, do not allow payment for CPT code
99211, with or without modifier 25, if it is billed with a nonchemotherapy drug infusion
code or a chemotherapy administration code. Apply this policy to code 99211 when it is
billed with a diagnostic or therapeutic injection code on or after January 1, 2005.
Physicians providing a chemotherapy administration service or a nonchemotherapy drug
infusion service and evaluation and management services, other than CPT code 99211, on
the same day must bill in accordance with §30.6.6 using modifier 25. The A/B MACs
(B) pay for evaluation and management services provided on the same day as the
chemotherapy administration services or a nonchemotherapy injection or infusion
service if the evaluation and management service meets the requirements of section
§30.6.6 even though the underlying codes do not have global periods. If a chemotherapy
service and a significant separately identifiable evaluation and management service are
provided on the same day, a different diagnosis is not required.
In 2005, the Medicare physician fee schedule status database indicators for therapeutic
and diagnostic injections were changed from T to A. Thus, beginning in 2005, the policy
on evaluation and management services, other than 99211, that is applicable to a
chemotherapy or a nonchemotherapy injection or infusion service applies equally to these
codes.
30.6 - Evaluation and Management Service Codes - General (Codes
99201 - 99499)
(Rev. 178, 05-14-04)
B3-15501-15501.1
30.6.1 - Selection of Level of Evaluation and Management Service
(Rev. 3315, Issued: 08-06-15, Effective: 01-01-16, Implementation: 01-04-16)
A. Use of CPT Codes
Advise physicians to use CPT codes (level 1 of HCPCS) to code physician services,
including evaluation and management services. Medicare will pay for E/M services for
specific non-physician practitioners (i.e., nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist
(CNS) and certified nurse midwife (CNM)) whose Medicare benefit permits them to bill
these services. A physician assistant (PA) may also provide a physician service,
however, the physician collaboration and general supervision rules as well as all billing
rules apply to all the above non-physician practitioners. The service provided must be
medically necessary and the service must be within the scope of practice for a non-
physician practitioner in the State in which he/she practices. Do not pay for CPT
evaluation and management codes billed by physical therapists in independent practice or
by occupational therapists in independent practice.
Medical necessity of a service is the overarching criterion for payment in addition to the
individual requirements of a CPT code. It would not be medically necessary or
appropriate to bill a higher level of evaluation and management service when a lower
level of service is warranted. The volume of documentation should not be the primary
influence upon which a specific level of service is billed. Documentation should support
the level of service reported. The service should be documented during, or as soon as
practicable after it is provided in order to maintain an accurate medical record.
B. Selection of Level of Evaluation and Management Service
Instruct physicians to select the code for the service based upon the content of the service.
The duration of the visit is an ancillary factor and does not control the level of the service
to be billed unless more than 50 percent of the face-to-face time (for non-inpatient
services) or more than 50 percent of the floor time (for inpatient services) is spent
providing counseling or coordination of care as described in subsection C.
Any physician or non-physician practitioner (NPP) authorized to bill Medicare services
will be paid by the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) at the appropriate
physician fee schedule amount based on the rendering UPIN/PIN.
"Incident to" Medicare Part B payment policy is applicable for office visits when the
requirements for "incident to" are met (refer to sections 60.1, 60.2, and 60.3, chapter 15
in IOM 100-02).
SPLIT/SHARED E/M SERVICE
Office/Clinic Setting
In the office/clinic setting when the physician performs the E/M service the service must
be reported using the physician’s UPIN/PIN. When an E/M service is a shared/split
encounter between a physician and a non-physician practitioner (NP, PA, CNS or CNM),
the service is considered to have been performed “incident to” if the requirements for
“incident to” are met and the patient is an established patient. If “incident to”
requirements are not met for the shared/split E/M service, the service must be billed
under the NPP’s UPIN/PIN, and payment will be made at the appropriate physician fee
schedule payment.
Hospital Inpatient/Outpatient (On Campus or Off Campus)/Emergency
Department Setting
When a hospital inpatient/hospital outpatient (on campus-outpatient hospital or off
campus outpatient hospital) or emergency department E/M is shared between a physician
and an NPP from the same group practice and the physician provides any face-to-face
portion of the E/M encounter with the patient, the service may be billed under either the
physician's or the NPP's UPIN/PIN number. However, if there was no face-to-face
encounter between the patient and the physician (e.g., even if the physician participated
in the service by only reviewing the patient’s medical record) then the service may only
be billed under the NPP's UPIN/PIN. Payment will be made at the appropriate physician
fee schedule rate based on the UPIN/PIN entered on the claim.
EXAMPLES OF SHARED VISITS
1. If the NPP sees a hospital inpatient in the morning and the physician follows with a
later face-to-face visit with the patient on the same day, the physician or the NPP may
report the service.
2. In an office setting the NPP performs a portion of an E/M encounter and the physician
completes the E/M service. If the "incident to" requirements are met, the physician
reports the service. If the “incident to” requirements are not met, the service must be
reported using the NPP’s UPIN/PIN.
In the rare circumstance when a physician (or NPP) provides a service that does not
reflect a CPT code description, the service must be reported as an unlisted service with
CPT code 99499. A description of the service provided must accompany the claim. The
MAC has the discretion to value the service when the service does not meet the full terms
of a CPT code description (e.g., only a history is performed). The MAC also determines
the payment based on the applicable percentage of the physician fee schedule depending
on whether the claim is paid at the physician rate or the non-physician practitioner rate.
CPT modifier -52 (reduced services) must not be used with an evaluation and
management service. Medicare does not recognize modifier -52 for this purpose.
C. Selection of Level of Evaluation and Management Service Based On Duration of
Coordination of Care and/or Counseling
Advise physicians that when counseling and/or coordination of care dominates (more
than 50 percent) the face-to-face physician/patient encounter or the floor time (in the case
of inpatient services), time is the key or controlling factor in selecting the level of service.
In general, to bill an E/M code, the physician must complete at least 2 out of 3 criteria
applicable to the type/level of service provided. However, the physician may document
time spent with the patient in conjunction with the medical decision-making involved and
a description of the coordination of care or counseling provided. Documentation must be
in sufficient detail to support the claim.
EXAMPLE: A cancer patient has had all preliminary studies completed and a medical
decision to implement chemotherapy. At an office visit the physician discusses the
treatment options and subsequent lifestyle effects of treatment the patient may encounter
or is experiencing. The physician need not complete a history and physical examination
in order to select the level of service. The time spent in counseling/coordination of care
and medical decision-making will determine the level of service billed.
The code selection is based on the total time of the face-to-face encounter or floor time,
not just the counseling time. The medical record must be documented in sufficient detail
to justify the selection of the specific code if time is the basis for selection of the code.
In the office and other outpatient setting, counseling and/or coordination of care must be
provided in the presence of the patient if the time spent providing those services is used
to determine the level of service reported. Face-to-face time refers to the time with the
physician only. Counseling by other staff is not considered to be part of the face-to-face
physician/patient encounter time. Therefore, the time spent by the other staff is not
considered in selecting the appropriate level of service. The code used depends upon the
physician service provided.
In an inpatient setting, the counseling and/or coordination of care must be provided at the
bedside or on the patient’s hospital floor or unit that is associated with an individual
patient. Time spent counseling the patient or coordinating the patient’s care after the
patient has left the office or the physician has left the patient’s floor or begun to care for
another patient on the floor is not considered when selecting the level of service to be
reported.
The duration of counseling or coordination of care that is provided face-to-face or on the
floor may be estimated but that estimate, along with the total duration of the visit, must
be recorded when time is used for the selection of the level of a service that involves
predominantly coordination of care or counseling.
D. Use of Highest Levels of Evaluation and Management Codes
A/B MACs (B) must advise physicians that to bill the highest levels of visit codes, the
services furnished must meet the definition of the code (e.g., to bill a Level 5 new patient
visit, the history must meet CPT’s definition of a comprehensive history).
The comprehensive history must include a review of all the systems and a complete past
(medical and surgical) family and social history obtained at that visit. In the case of an
established patient, it is acceptable for a physician to review the existing record and
update it to reflect only changes in the patient’s medical, family, and social history from
the last encounter, but the physician must review the entire history for it to be considered
a comprehensive history.
The comprehensive examination may be a complete single system exam such as cardiac,
respiratory, psychiatric, or a complete multi-system examination.
30.6.1.1 - Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) and Annual
Wellness Visit (AWV)
(Rev. 3096, Issued: 10-17-14, Effective: 01-27-14, Implementation: 11-18-14)
A. Definitions
1. Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE)
The initial preventive physical examination (IPPE), or “Welcome to Medicare Preventive
Visit” is a preventive visit authorized by sections 1861(s)(2)(w) and 1861(ww) of the
Social Security Act (and implementing regulations at 42 CFR 410.16, 411.15(a)(1), and
411.15(k)(11)).
As described in the implementing regulations, the IPPE includes the following:
(1) review of the individual’s medical and social history with attention to modifiable
risk factors for disease detection,
(2) review of the individual’s potential (risk factors) for depression or other mood
disorders,
(3) review of the individual’s functional ability and level of safety,
(4) an examination to include measurement of the individual’s height, weight, body
mass index, blood pressure, a visual acuity screen, and other factors as deemed
appropriate, based on the beneficiary’s medical and social history,
(5) end-of-life planning, upon agreement of the individual,
(6) education, counseling, and referral, as deemed appropriate, based on the results of
the review and evaluation services described in the previous 5 elements, and
(7) education, counseling, and referral including a brief written plan (e.g., a checklist
or alternative) provided to the individual for obtaining the appropriate screening
and other preventive services, which are separately covered under Medicare Part
B (that is, pneumococcal, influenza and hepatitis B vaccines and their
administration, screening mammography, screening pap smear and screening
pelvic examinations, prostate cancer screening tests, colorectal cancer screening
tests, diabetes outpatient self-management training services, bone mass
measurements, glaucoma screening, medical nutrition therapy for individuals
with diabetes or renal disease, cardiovascular screening blood tests, diabetes
screening tests, screening ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysms, an
electrocardiogram, and additional preventive services covered under Medicare
Part B through the Medicare national coverage determinations process).
2. Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)
Effective January 1, 2011, Sections 1861(s)(2)(FF) and 1861(hhh) of the Social Security
Act and implementing regulations at 42 CFR 410.15, authorize an AWV providing
personalized prevention plan services (PPPS). The AWV is a preventive visit available
to eligible beneficiaries, and identified by HCPCS codes G0438 (Annual wellness visit,
including PPPS, first visit) and G0439 (Annual wellness visit, including PPPS,
subsequent visit). Information, including definitions of relevant terms and coverage
requirements for the AWV are included in Pub. 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual,
chapter 15, section 280.5.
The first AWV providing PPPS (HCPCS G0438) is a ‘one time’ allowed Medicare
benefit and includes the following elements furnished to an eligible beneficiary by a
health professional:
Review (and administration if needed) of a health risk assessment,
• Establishment of the individual’s medical/family history,
• Establishment of a list of current providers and suppliers that are regularly
involved in providing medical care to the individual,
• Measurement of the individual’s height, weight, body mass index (or waist
circumference, if appropriate), blood pressure (BP), and other routine
measurements as deemed appropriate, based on the individual’s medical and
family history,
• Detection of any cognitive impairment that the individual may have,
• Review of an individual’s potential risk factors for depression, including current
or past experiences with depression or other mood disorders, based on the use of
an appropriate screening instrument for persons without a current diagnosis of
depression, which the health professional may select from various available
standardized screening tests designed for this purpose and recognized by national
professional medical organizations,
• Review of the individual’s functional ability and level of safety, based on direct
observation of the individual, or the use of appropriate screening questions or a
screening questionnaire, which the health professional may select from various
available screening questions or standardized questionnaires designed for this
purpose and recognized by national professional medical organizations,
• Establishment of a written screening schedule for the individual, such as a
checklist for the next 5 to 10 years, as appropriate, based on recommendations of
the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Advisory
Committee of Immunizations Practices (ACIP), and the individual’s health risk
assessment, health status, screening history, and age-appropriate preventive
services covered by Medicare,
• Establishment of a list of risk factors and conditions of which primary, secondary,
or tertiary interventions are recommended or underway for the individual,
including any mental health conditions or any such risk factors or conditions that
have been identified through an IPPE, and a list of treatment options and their
associated risks and benefits,
• Furnishing of personalized health advice to the individual and a referral, as
appropriate, to health education or preventive counseling services or programs
aimed at reducing identified risk factors and improving self-management or
community-based lifestyle interventions to reduce health risks and promote self-
management and wellness, including weight loss, physical activity, smoking
cessation, fall prevention, and nutrition, and,
• Any other element(s) determined appropriate by the Secretary through the
national coverage determinations process.
Subsequent AWVs providing PPPS (HCPCS G0439) include the following key elements
furnished to an eligible beneficiary by a health professional:
Review (and administration, if needed) of an updated health risk assessment,
• Update of the individual’s medical/family history,
• Update to the list of current providers and suppliers that are regularly involved in
providing medical care to the individual as that list was developed for the first
AWV providing PPPS, or the previous subsequent AWV providing PPPS,
• Measurement of an individual’s weight (or waist circumference), blood pressure,
and other routine measurements as deemed appropriate, based on the individual’s
medical and family history,
• Detection of any cognitive impairment that the individual may have,
• Update to the individual’s written screening schedule as developed at the first
AWV providing PPPS,
• Update to the individual’s list of risk factors and conditions for which primary,
secondary, or tertiary interventions are recommended or are underway for the
individual, as that list was developed at the first AWV providing PPPS, or the
previous subsequent AWV providing PPPS,
• Furnishing of personalized health advice to the individual and a referral, as
appropriate, to health education or preventive counseling services or programs,
and,
• Any other element determined appropriate by the Secretary through the national
coverage determinations process.
See chapter 18 of this manual for additional information regarding preventive services
that are separately covered under Medicare Part B.
B. Who May Perform an IPPE or AWV
The A/B MAC (B) pays the appropriate physician fee schedule amount based on the
rendering National Provider Identification (NPI) number.
The IPPE may be performed by:
• a doctor of medicine or osteopathy as defined in Section 1861(r) (1) of the Social
Security Act, or
• a qualified nonphysician practitioner (nurse practitioner, physician assistant or
clinical nurse specialist).
The AWV may be performed by a health professional, which is defined as:
• a doctor of medicine or osteopathy as defined in Section 1861(r)(1) of the Social
Security Act,
a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist (as defined in
section 1861(aa)(5) of the Social Security Act), or
• a medical professional (including a health educator, registered dietitian, nutrition
professional, or other licensed practitioner) or a team of such medical
professionals, working under the direct supervision of a physician (doctor of
medicine or osteopathy).
C. Eligibility
1. IPPE
Medicare pays for one IPPE per beneficiary per lifetime for beneficiaries within the first
12 months of the effective date of the beneficiary’s first Part B coverage period.
2. AWV
Medicare pays for an AWV for a beneficiary who is no longer within 12 months after the
effective date of his/her first Medicare Part B coverage period, and who has not received
either an IPPE or an AWV providing PPPS within the past 12 months. Medicare pays for
only one first AWV (HCPCS G0438), per beneficiary per lifetime. All subsequent
AWVs must be billed using HCPCS G0439.
D. Deductible and Coinsurance
1. IPPE
The Medicare deductible and coinsurance apply for the IPPE provided before January 1,
2009.
The Medicare deductible is waived effective for the IPPE provided on or after January 1,
2009. However, the applicable coinsurance continues to apply for the IPPE provided on
or after January 1, 2009.
As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), effective for the IPPE provided on or after
January 1, 2011, the Medicare deductible and coinsurance (for HCPCS code G0402 only)
are waived.
2. AWV
As a result of the ACA, effective January 1, 2011, the Medicare deductible and
coinsurance for the AWV (HCPCS G0438 and G0439) are waived.
E. The EKG Component of the IPPE
The once-in-a-lifetime screening EKG may be performed, as appropriate, with a referral
from an IPPE.
F. HCPCS Codes Used to Bill the IPPE or AWV
1. HCPCS Codes Used to Bill the IPPE
For IPPE and EKG services provided prior to January 1, 2009, the physician or qualified
NPP shall bill HCPCS code G0344 for the IPPE performed face-to-face, and HCPCS
code G0366 for performing a screening EKG that includes both the interpretation and
report. If the primary physician or qualified NPP performs only the IPPE, he/she shall
bill HCPCS code G0344 only. The physician or entity that performs the screening EKG
that includes both the interpretation and report shall bill HCPCS code G0366. The
physician or entity that performs the screening EKG tracing only (without interpretation
and report) shall bill HCPCS code G0367. The physician or entity that performs the
interpretation and report only (without the EKG tracing) shall bill HCPCS code G0368.
Medicare will pay for a screening EKG only as part of the IPPE. HCPCS codes G0344,
G0366, G0367 and G0368 will not be billable codes effective on or after January 1, 2009.
Effective for a beneficiary who has the IPPE on or after January 1, 2009, and within
his/her 12-month enrollment period of Medicare Part B, the IPPE and screening EKG
services are billable with the appropriate HCPCS G code(s).
The physician or qualified NPP shall bill HCPCS code G0402 for the IPPE performed
face-to-face with the patient.
The physician or entity shall bill HCPCS code G0403 for performing the complete
screening EKG that includes the tracing, interpretation and report.
The physician or entity that performs the screening EKG tracing only (without
interpretation and report) shall bill HCPCS code G0404.
The physician or entity that performs the screening EKG interpretation and report only,
(without the EKG tracing) shall bill HCPCS code G0405.
2. HCPCS Codes Used to Bill the AWV
For the first AWV provided on or after January 1, 2011, the health professional shall bill
HCPCS G0438 (Annual wellness visit, including PPPS, first visit). This is a once per
beneficiary per lifetime allowable Medicare Part B benefit.
All subsequent AWVs shall be billed with HCPCS G0439 (Annual Wellness Visit,
including PPPS, subsequent visit). In the event that a beneficiary selects a new health
professional to complete a subsequent AWV, the new health professional will continue to
bill the subsequent AWV with HCPCS G0439.
NOTE: For an IPPE or AWV performed during the global period of surgery, refer to
chapter 12, §30.6.6 of this chapter for reporting instructions.
G. Documentation for the IPPE or AWV
Practitioners eligible to furnish an IPPE or an AWV are required to use the 1995 and
1997 E/M documentation guidelines to document the medical record with the appropriate
clinical information.
(http://xmarks.com/site/www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNEdWebGuide/25_EMDOC.asp). All
referrals and a written medical plan must be included in this documentation.
H. Reporting a Medically Necessary E/M Service Furnished During the Same
Encounter as an IPPE or AWV
When the physician or qualified NPP, or for AWV the health professional, provides a
significant, separately identifiable medically necessary E/M service in addition to the
IPPE or an AWV, CPT codes 99201 - 99215 may be reported depending on the clinical
appropriateness of the circumstances. CPT Modifier -25 shall be appended to the
medically necessary E/M service identifying this service as a significant, separately
identifiable service from the IPPE or AWV code reported (HCPCS code G0344 or
G0402, whichever applies based on the date the IPPE is performed, or HCPCS code
G0438 or G0439 whichever AWV code applies).
NOTE: Some of the components of a medically necessary E/M service (e.g., a portion of
history or physical exam portion) may have been part of the IPPE or AWV and should
not be included when determining the most appropriate level of E/M service to be billed
for the medically necessary, separately identifiable, E/M service.
30.6.2 - Billing for Medically Necessary Visit on Same Occasion as
Preventive Medicine Service
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
See Chapter 18 for payment for covered preventive services.
When a physician furnishes a Medicare beneficiary a covered visit at the same place and
on the same occasion as a noncovered preventive medicine service (CPT codes 99381-
99397), consider the covered visit to be provided in lieu of a part of the preventive
medicine service of equal value to the visit. A preventive medicine service (CPT codes
99381-99397) is a noncovered service. The physician may charge the beneficiary, as a
charge for the noncovered remainder of the service, the amount by which the physician’s
current established charge for the preventive medicine service exceeds his/her current
established charge for the covered visit. Pay for the covered visit based on the lesser of
the fee schedule amount or the physician’s actual charge for the visit. The physician is
not required to give the beneficiary written advance notice of noncoverage of the part of
the visit that constitutes a routine preventive visit. However, the physician is responsible
for notifying the patient in advance of his/her liability for the charges for services that are
not medically necessary to treat the illness or injury.
There could be covered and noncovered procedures performed during this encounter
(e.g., screening x-ray, EKG, lab tests.). These are considered individually. Those
procedures which are for screening for asymptomatic conditions are considered
noncovered and, therefore, no payment is made. Those procedures ordered to diagnose
or monitor a symptom, medical condition, or treatment are evaluated for medical
necessity and, if covered, are paid.
30.6.3 - Payment for Immunosuppressive Therapy Management
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-4820-4824
Physicians bill for management of immunosuppressive therapy using the office or
subsequent hospital visit codes that describe the services furnished. If the physician who
is managing the immunotherapy is also the transplant surgeon, he or she bills these visits
with modifier “-24” indicating that the visit during the global period is not related to the
original procedure if the physician also performed the transplant surgery and submits
documentation that shows that the visit is for immunosuppressive therapy.
30.6.4 - Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services Furnished Incident
to Physician’s Service by Nonphysician Practitioners
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
When evaluation and management services are furnished incident to a physician’s service
by a nonphysician practitioner, the physician may bill the CPT code that describes the
evaluation and management service furnished.
When evaluation and management services are furnished incident to a physician’s service
by a nonphysician employee of the physician, not as part of a physician service, the
physician bills code 99211 for the service.
A physician is not precluded from billing under the “incident to” provision for services
provided by employees whose services cannot be paid for directly under the Medicare
program. Employees of the physician may provide services incident to the physician’s
service, but the physician alone is permitted to bill Medicare.
Services provided by employees as “incident to” are covered when they meet all the
requirements for incident to and are medically necessary for the individual needs of the
patient.
30.6.5 - Physicians in Group Practice
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
Physicians in the same group practice who are in the same specialty must bill and be paid
as though they were a single physician. If more than one evaluation and management
(face-to-face) service is provided on the same day to the same patient by the same
physician or more than one physician in the same specialty in the same group, only one
evaluation and management service may be reported unless the evaluation and
management services are for unrelated problems. Instead of billing separately, the
physicians should select a level of service representative of the combined visits and
submit the appropriate code for that level.
Physicians in the same group practice but who are in different specialties may bill and be
paid without regard to their membership in the same group.
30.6.6 - Payment for Evaluation and Management Services Provided
During Global Period of Surgery
(Rev. 954, Issued: 05-19-06, Effective: 06-01-06, Implementation: 08-20-06)
A. CPT Modifier “-24” - Unrelated Evaluation and Management Service by Same
Physician During Postoperative Period
A/B MACs (B) pay for an evaluation and management service other than inpatient
hospital care before discharge from the hospital following surgery (CPT codes 99221-
99238) if it was provided during the postoperative period of a surgical procedure,
furnished by the same physician who performed the procedure, billed with CPT modifier
“-24,” and accompanied by documentation that supports that the service is not related to
the postoperative care of the procedure. They do not pay for inpatient hospital care that
is furnished during the hospital stay in which the surgery occurred unless the doctor is
also treating another medical condition that is unrelated to the surgery. All care provided
during the inpatient stay in which the surgery occurred is compensated through the global
surgical payment.
B. CPT Modifier “-25” - Significant Evaluation and Management Service by Same
Physician on Date of Global Procedure
Medicare requires that Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) modifier -25 should only
be used on claims for evaluation and management (E/M) services, and only when these
services are provided by the same physician (or same qualified nonphysician practitioner)
to the same patient on the same day as another procedure or other service. A/B MACs
(B) pay for an E/M service provided on the day of a procedure with a global fee period if
the physician indicates that the service is for a significant, separately identifiable E/M
service that is above and beyond the usual pre- and post-operative work of the procedure.
Different diagnoses are not required for reporting the E/M service on the same date as the
procedure or other service. Modifier -25 is added to the E/M code on the claim.
Both the medically necessary E/M service and the procedure must be appropriately and
sufficiently documented by the physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner in the
patient’s medical record to support the claim for these services, even though the
documentation is not required to be submitted with the claim.
If the physician bills the service with the CPT modifier “-25,” A/B MACs (B) pay for the
service in addition to the global fee without any other requirement for documentation
unless one of the following conditions is met:
• When inpatient dialysis services are billed (CPT codes 90935, 90945, 90947, and
93937), the physician must document that the service was unrelated to the
dialysis and could not be performed during the dialysis procedure;
• When preoperative critical care codes are being billed on the date of the
procedure, the diagnosis must support that the service is unrelated to the
performance of the procedure; or
• When an A/B MAC (B) has conducted a specific medical review process and
determined, after reviewing the data, that an individual or a group has high use of
modifier “-25” compared to other physicians, has done a case-by-case review of
the records to verify that the use of modifier was inappropriate, and has educated
the individual or group, the A/B MAC (B) may impose prepayment screens or
documentation requirements for that provider or group. When a A/B MAC (B)
has completed a review and determined that a high usage rate of modifier “-57,”
the A/B MAC (B) must complete a case-by-case review of the records. Based
upon this review, the A/B MAC (B) will educate providers regarding the
appropriate use of modifier “-57.” If high usage rates continue, the A/B MAC
(B) may impose prepayment screens or documentation requirements for that
provider or group.
A/B MACs (B) may not permit the use of CPT modifier “-25” to generate payment for
multiple evaluation and management services on the same day by the same physician,
notwithstanding the CPT definition of the modifier.
C. CPT Modifier “-57” - Decision for Surgery Made Within Global Surgical Period
A/B MACs (B) pay for an evaluation and management service on the day of or on the
day before a procedure with a 90-day global surgical period if the physician uses CPT
modifier “-57” to indicate that the service resulted in the decision to perform the
procedure. A/B MACs (B) may not pay for an evaluation and management service billed
with the CPT modifier “-57” if it was provided on the day of or the day before a
procedure with a 0 or 10-day global surgical period.
30.6.7 - Payment for Office or Other Outpatient Evaluation and
Management (E/M) Visits (Codes 99201 - 99215)
(Rev. 3315, Issued: 08-06-15, Effective: 01-01-16, Implementation: 01-04-16)
A. Definition of New Patient for Selection of E/M Visit Code
Interpret the phrase “new patient” to mean a patient who has not received any
professional services, i.e., E/M service or other face-to-face service (e.g., surgical
procedure) from the physician or physician group practice (same physician specialty)
within the previous 3 years. For example, if a professional component of a previous
procedure is billed in a 3 year time period, e.g., a lab interpretation is billed and no E/M
service or other face-to-face service with the patient is performed, then this patient
remains a new patient for the initial visit. An interpretation of a diagnostic test, reading
an x-ray or EKG etc., in the absence of an E/M service or other face-to-face service with
the patient does not affect the designation of a new patient.
B. Office/Outpatient E/M Visits Provided on Same Day for Unrelated Problems
As for all other E/M services except where specifically noted, the Medicare
Administrative Contractors (MACs) may not pay two E/M office visits billed by a
physician (or physician of the same specialty from the same group practice) for the same
beneficiary on the same day unless the physician documents that the visits were for
unrelated problems in the office, off campus-outpatient hospital, or on campus-outpatient
hospital setting which could not be provided during the same encounter (e.g., office visit
for blood pressure medication evaluation, followed five hours later by a visit for
evaluation of leg pain following an accident).
C. Office/Outpatient or Emergency Department E/M Visit on Day of Admission to
Nursing Facility
MACs may not pay a physician for an emergency department visit or an office visit and a
comprehensive nursing facility assessment on the same day. Bundle E/M visits on the
same date provided in sites other than the nursing facility into the initial nursing facility
care code when performed on the same date as the nursing facility admission by the same
physician.
D. Drug Administration Services and E/M Visits Billed on Same Day of Service
MACs must advise physicians that CPT code 99211 cannot be paid if it is billed with a
drug administration service such as a chemotherapy or nonchemotherapy drug infusion
code (effective January 1, 2004). This drug administration policy was expanded in the
Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, November 15, 2004, to also include a therapeutic or
diagnostic injection code (effective January 1, 2005). Therefore, when a medically
necessary, significant and separately identifiable E/M service (which meets a higher
complexity level than CPT code 99211) is performed, in addition to one of these drug
administration services, the appropriate E/M CPT code should be reported with modifier
-25. Documentation should support the level of E/M service billed. For an E/M service
provided on the same day, a different diagnosis is not required.
30.6.8 - Payment for Hospital Observation Services and Observation or
Inpatient Care Services (Including Admission and Discharge Services)
(Rev. 2282, Issued: 08-26-11, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 11-28-11)
A. Who May Bill Observation Care Codes
Observation care is a well-defined set of specific, clinically appropriate services, which
include ongoing short term treatment, assessment, and reassessment, that are furnished
while a decision is being made regarding whether patients will require further treatment
as hospital inpatients or if they are able to be discharged from the hospital. Observation
services are commonly ordered for patients who present to the emergency department and
who then require a significant period of treatment or monitoring in order to make a
decision concerning their admission or discharge.
In only rare and exceptional cases do reasonable and necessary outpatient observation
services span more than 48 hours. In the majority of cases, the decision whether to
discharge a patient from the hospital following resolution of the reason for the
observation care or to admit the patient as an inpatient can be made in less than 48 hours,
usually in less than 24 hours.
A/B MACs (B) pay for initial observation care billed by only the physician who ordered
hospital outpatient observation services and was responsible for the patient during his/her
observation care. A physician who does not have inpatient admitting privileges but who
is authorized to furnish hospital outpatient observation services may bill these codes.
For a physician to bill observation care codes, there must be a medical observation record
for the patient which contains dated and timed physician’s orders regarding the
observation services the patient is to receive, nursing notes, and progress notes prepared
by the physician while the patient received observation services. This record must be in
addition to any record prepared as a result of an emergency department or outpatient
clinic encounter.
Payment for an initial observation care code is for all the care rendered by the ordering
physician on the date the patient’s observation services began. All other physicians who
furnish consultations or additional evaluations or services while the patient is receiving
hospital outpatient observation services must bill the appropriate outpatient service codes.
For example, if an internist orders observation services and asks another physician to
additionally evaluate the patient, only the internist may bill the initial and subsequent
observation care codes. The other physician who evaluates the patient must bill the new
or established office or other outpatient visit codes as appropriate.
For information regarding hospital billing of observation services, see Chapter 4, §290.
B. Physician Billing for Observation Care Following Initiation of Observation
Services
Similar to initial observation codes, payment for a subsequent observation care code is
for all the care rendered by the treating physician on the day(s) other than the initial or
discharge date. All other physicians who furnish consultations or additional evaluations
or services while the patient is receiving hospital outpatient observation services must bill
the appropriate outpatient service codes.
When a patient receives observation care for less than 8 hours on the same calendar date,
the Initial Observation Care, from CPT code range 99218 - 99220, shall be reported by
the physician. The Observation Care Discharge Service, CPT code 99217, shall not be
reported for this scenario.
When a patient is admitted for observation care and then is discharged on a different
calendar date, the physician shall report Initial Observation Care, from CPT code range
99218 - 99220, and CPT observation care discharge CPT code 99217. On the rare
occasion when a patient remains in observation care for 3 days, the physician shall report
an initial observation care code (99218-99220) for the first day of observation care, a
subsequent observation care code (99224-99226) for the second day of observation care,
and an observation care discharge CPT code 99217 for the observation care on the
discharge date. When observation care continues beyond 3 days, the physician shall
report a subsequent observation care code (99224-99226) for each day between the first
day of observation care and the discharge date.
When a patient receives observation care for a minimum of 8 hours, but less than 24
hours, and is discharged on the same calendar date, Observation or Inpatient Care
Services (Including Admission and Discharge Services) from CPT code range 99234 -
99236 shall be reported. The observation discharge, CPT code 99217, cannot also be
reported for this scenario.
C. Documentation Requirements for Billing Observation or Inpatient Care Services
(Including Admission and Discharge Services)
The physician shall satisfy the E/M documentation guidelines for furnishing observation
care or inpatient hospital care. In addition to meeting the documentation requirements for
history, examination, and medical decision making, documentation in the medical record
shall include:
• Documentation stating the stay for observation care or inpatient hospital care
involves 8 hours, but less than 24 hours;
• Documentation identifying the billing physician was present and personally
performed the services; and
• Documentation identifying the order for observation services, progress notes, and
discharge notes were written by the billing physician.
In the rare circumstance when a patient receives observation services for more than 2
calendar dates, the physician shall bill observation services furnished on day(s) other than
the initial or discharge date using subsequent observation care codes. The physician may
not use the subsequent hospital care codes since the patient is not an inpatient of the
hospital.
D. Admission to Inpatient Status Following Observation Care
If the same physician who ordered hospital outpatient observation services also admits
the patient to inpatient status before the end of the date on which the patient began
receiving hospital outpatient observation services, pay only an initial hospital visit for the
evaluation and management services provided on that date. Medicare payment for the
initial hospital visit includes all services provided to the patient on the date of admission
by that physician, regardless of the site of service. The physician may not bill an initial
or subsequent observation care code for services on the date that he or she admits the
patient to inpatient status. If the patient is admitted to inpatient status from hospital
outpatient observation care subsequent to the date of initiation of observation services,
the physician must bill an initial hospital visit for the services provided on that date. The
physician may not bill the hospital observation discharge management code (code 99217)
or an outpatient/office visit for the care provided while the patient received hospital
outpatient observation services on the date of admission to inpatient status.
E. Hospital Observation Services During Global Surgical Period
The global surgical fee includes payment for hospital observation (codes 99217, 99218,
99219, 99220, 99224, 99225, 99226, 99234, 99235, and 99236) services unless the
criteria for use of CPT modifiers “-24,” “-25,” or “-57” are met. A/B MACs (B) must
pay for these services in addition to the global surgical fee only if both of the following
requirements are met:
• The hospital observation service meets the criteria needed to justify billing it with
CPT modifiers “-24,” “-25,” or “-57” (decision for major surgery); and
• The hospital observation service furnished by the surgeon meets all of the criteria
for the hospital observation code billed.
Examples of the decision for surgery during a hospital observation period are:
• An emergency department physician orders hospital outpatient observation
services for a patient with a head injury. A neurosurgeon is called in to evaluate
the need for surgery while the patient is receiving observation services and
decides that the patient requires surgery. The surgeon would bill a new or
established office or other outpatient visit code as appropriate with the “-57”
modifier to indicate that the decision for surgery was made during the evaluation.
The surgeon must bill the office or other outpatient visit code because the patient
receiving hospital outpatient observation services is not an inpatient of the
hospital. Only the physician who ordered hospital outpatient observation services
may bill for observation care.
• A neurosurgeon orders hospital outpatient observation services for a patient with
a head injury. During the observation period, the surgeon makes the decision for
surgery. The surgeon would bill the appropriate level of hospital observation
code with the “-57” modifier to indicate that the decision for surgery was made
while the surgeon was providing hospital observation care.
Examples of hospital observation services during the postoperative period of a surgery
are:
• A surgeon orders hospital outpatient observation services for a patient with
abdominal pain from a kidney stone on the 80th day following a TURP
(performed by that surgeon). The surgeon decides that the patient does not
require surgery. The surgeon would bill the observation code with CPT modifier
“-24” and documentation to support that the observation services are unrelated to
the surgery.
• A surgeon orders hospital outpatient observation services for a patient with
abdominal pain on the 80th day following a TURP (performed by that surgeon).
While the patient is receiving hospital outpatient observation services, the surgeon
decides that the patient requires kidney surgery. The surgeon would bill the
observation code with HCPCS modifier “-57” to indicate that the decision for
surgery was made while the patient was receiving hospital outpatient observation
services. The subsequent surgical procedure would be reported with modifier “-
79.”
• A surgeon orders hospital outpatient observation services for a patient with
abdominal pain on the 20th day following a resection of the colon (performed by
that surgeon). The surgeon determines that the patient requires no further colon
surgery and discharges the patient. The surgeon may not bill for the observation
services furnished during the global period because they were related to the
previous surgery.
An example of a billable hospital observation service on the same day as a procedure is
when a physician repairs a laceration of the scalp in the emergency department for a
patient with a head injury and then subsequently orders hospital outpatient observation
services for that patient. The physician would bill the observation code with a CPT
modifier 25 and the procedure code.
30.6.9 - Payment for Inpatient Hospital Visits - General
(Rev. 2282, Issued: 08-26-11, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 11-28-11)
A. Hospital Visit and Critical Care on Same Day
When a hospital inpatient or office/outpatient evaluation and management service (E/M)
are furnished on a calendar date at which time the patient does not require critical care
and the patient subsequently requires critical care both the critical Care Services (CPT
codes 99291 and 99292) and the previous E/M service may be paid on the same date of
service. Hospital emergency department services are not paid for the same date as
critical care services when provided by the same physician to the same patient.
During critical care management of a patient those services that do not meet the level of
critical care shall be reported using an inpatient hospital care service with CPT
Subsequent Hospital Care using a code from CPT code range 99231 - 99233.
Both Initial Hospital Care (CPT codes 99221 - 99223) and Subsequent Hospital Care
codes are “per diem” services and may be reported only once per day by the same
physician or physicians of the same specialty from the same group practice.
Physicians and qualified nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) are advised to retain
documentation for discretionary A/B MAC (B) review should claims be questioned for
both hospital care and critical care claims. The retained documentation shall support
claims for critical care when the same physician or physicians of the same specialty in a
group practice report critical care services for the same patient on the same calendar date
as other E/M services.
B. Two Hospital Visits Same Day
A/B MACs (B) pay a physician for only one hospital visit per day for the same patient,
whether the problems seen during the encounters are related or not. The inpatient
hospital visit descriptors contain the phrase “per day” which means that the code and the
payment established for the code represent all services provided on that date. The
physician should select a code that reflects all services provided during the date of the
service.
C. Hospital Visits Same Day But by Different Physicians
In a hospital inpatient situation involving one physician covering for another, if physician
A sees the patient in the morning and physician B, who is covering for A, sees the same
patient in the evening, A/B MACs (B) do not pay physician B for the second visit. The
hospital visit descriptors include the phrase “per day” meaning care for the day.
If the physicians are each responsible for a different aspect of the patient’s care, pay both
visits if the physicians are in different specialties and the visits are billed with different
diagnoses. There are circumstances where concurrent care may be billed by physicians
of the same specialty.
D. Visits to Patients in Swing Beds
If the inpatient care is being billed by the hospital as inpatient hospital care, the hospital
care codes apply. If the inpatient care is being billed by the hospital as nursing facility
care, then the nursing facility codes apply.
30.6.9.1 - Payment for Initial Hospital Care Services and Observation or
Inpatient Care Services (Including Admission and Discharge Services)
(Rev. 2282, Issued: 08-26-11, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 11-28-11)
A. Initial Hospital Care From Emergency Room
A/B MACs (B) pay for an initial hospital care service if a physician sees a patient in the
emergency room and decides to admit the person to the hospital. They do not pay for
both E/M services. Also, they do not pay for an emergency department visit by the same
physician on the same date of service. When the patient is admitted to the hospital via
another site of service (e.g., hospital emergency department, physician’s office, nursing
facility), all services provided by the physician in conjunction with that admission are
considered part of the initial hospital care when performed on the same date as the
admission.
B. Initial Hospital Care on Day Following Visit
A/B MACs (B) pay both visits if a patient is seen in the office on one date and admitted
to the hospital on the next date, even if fewer than 24 hours has elapsed between the visit
and the admission.
C. Initial Hospital Care and Discharge on Same Day
When the patient is admitted to inpatient hospital care for less than 8 hours on the same
date, then Initial Hospital Care, from CPT code range 99221 - 99223, shall be reported by
the physician. The Hospital Discharge Day Management service, CPT codes 99238 or
99239, shall not be reported for this scenario.
When a patient is admitted to inpatient initial hospital care and then discharged on a
different calendar date, the physician shall report an Initial Hospital Care from CPT code
range 99221 - 99223 and a Hospital Discharge Day Management service, CPT code
99238 or 99239.
When a patient has been admitted to inpatient hospital care for a minimum of 8 hours but
less than 24 hours and discharged on the same calendar date, Observation or Inpatient
Hospital Care Services (Including Admission and Discharge Services), from CPT code
range 99234 - 99236, shall be reported.
D. Documentation Requirements for Billing Observation or Inpatient Care Services
(Including Admission and Discharge Services)
The physician shall satisfy the E/M documentation guidelines for admission to and
discharge from inpatient observation or hospital care. In addition to meeting the
documentation requirements for history, examination and medical decision making
documentation in the medical record shall include:
• Documentation stating the stay for hospital treatment or observation care
status involves 8 hours but less than 24 hours;
• Documentation identifying the billing physician was present and personally
performed the services; and
• Documentation identifying the admission and discharge notes were written by
the billing physician.
E. Physician Services Involving Transfer From One Hospital to Another; Transfer
Within Facility to Prospective Payment System (PPS) Exempt Unit of Hospital;
Transfer From One Facility to Another Separate Entity Under Same Ownership
and/or Part of Same Complex; or Transfer From One Department to Another
Within Single Facility
Physicians may bill both the hospital discharge management code and an initial hospital
care code when the discharge and admission do not occur on the same day if the transfer
is between:
• Different hospitals;
• Different facilities under common ownership which do not have merged
records; or
• Between the acute care hospital and a PPS exempt unit within the same
hospital when there are no merged records.
In all other transfer circumstances, the physician should bill only the appropriate level of
subsequent hospital care for the date of transfer.
F. Initial Hospital Care Service History and Physical That Is Less Than
Comprehensive
When a physician performs a visit that meets the definition of a Level 5 office visit
several days prior to an admission and on the day of admission performs less than a
comprehensive history and physical, he or she should report the office visit that reflects
the services furnished and also report the lowest level initial hospital care code (i.e., code
99221) for the initial hospital admission. A/B MACs (B) pay the office visit as billed and
the Level 1 initial hospital care code.
Physicians who provide an initial visit to a patient during inpatient hospital care that
meets the minimum key component work and/or medical necessity requirements shall
report an initial hospital care code (99221-99223). The principal physician of record shall
append modifier “-AI” (Principal Physician of Record) to the claim for the initial hospital
care code. This modifier will identify the physician who oversees the patient’s care from
all other physicians who may be furnishing specialty care.
Physicians may bill initial hospital care service codes (99221-99223), for services that
were reported with CPT consultation codes (99241 - 99255) prior to January 1, 2010,
when the furnished service and documentation meet the minimum key component work
and/or medical necessity requirements. Physicians must meet all the requirements of the
initial hospital care codes, including “a detailed or comprehensive history” and “a
detailed or comprehensive examination” to report CPT code 99221, which are greater
than the requirements for consultation codes 99251 and 99252.
Subsequent hospital care CPT codes 99231 and 99232, respectively, require “a problem
focused interval history” and “an expanded problem focused interval history.” An E/M
service that could be described by CPT consultation code 99251 or 99252 could
potentially meet the component work and medical necessity requirements to report 99231
or 99232. Physicians may report a subsequent hospital care CPT code for services that
were reported as CPT consultation codes (99241 - 99255) prior to January 1, 2010, where
the medical record appropriately demonstrates that the work and medical necessity
requirements are met for reporting a subsequent hospital care code (under the level
selected), even though the reported code is for the provider's first E/M service to the
inpatient during the hospital stay.
Reporting CPT code 99499 (Unlisted evaluation and management service) should be
limited to cases where there is no other specific E/M code payable by Medicare that
describes that service. Reporting CPT code 99499 requires submission of medical
records and A/B MAC (B) manual medical review of the service prior to payment. A/B
MACs (B) shall expect reporting under these circumstances to be unusual.
G. Initial Hospital Care Visits by Two Different M.D.s or D.O.s When They Are
Involved in Same Admission
In the inpatient hospital setting all physicians (and qualified nonphysician practitioners
where permitted) who perform an initial evaluation may bill the initial hospital care codes
(99221 - 99223) or nursing facility care codes (99304 - 99306). A/B MACs (B) consider
only one M.D. or D.O. to be the principal physician of record (sometimes referred to as
the admitting physician.) The principal physician of record is identified in Medicare as
the physician who oversees the patient’s care from other physicians who may be
furnishing specialty care. Only the principal physician of record shall append modifier “-
AI” (Principal Physician of Record) in addition to the E/M code. Follow-up visits in the
facility setting shall be billed as subsequent hospital care visits and subsequent nursing
facility care visits.
30.6.9.2 - Subsequent Hospital Visit and Hospital Discharge Day
Management (Codes 99231 - 99239)
(Rev. 1460, Issued: 02-22-08, Effective: 04-01-08, Implementation: 04-07-08)
A. Subsequent Hospital Visits During the Global Surgery Period
(Refer to §§40-40.4 on global surgery)
The Medicare physician fee schedule payment amount for surgical procedures includes
all services (e.g., evaluation and management visits) that are part of the global surgery
payment; therefore, A/B MACs (B) shall not pay more than that amount when a bill is
fragmented for staged procedures.
B. Hospital Discharge Day Management Service
Hospital Discharge Day Management Services, CPT code 99238 or 99239 is a face-to-
face evaluation and management (E/M) service between the attending physician and the
patient. The E/M discharge day management visit shall be reported for the date of the
actual visit by the physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner even if the patient is
discharged from the facility on a different calendar date. Only one hospital discharge day
management service is payable per patient per hospital stay.
Only the attending physician of record reports the discharge day management service.
Physicians or qualified nonphysician practitioners, other than the attending physician,
who have been managing concurrent health care problems not primarily managed by the
attending physician, and who are not acting on behalf of the attending physician, shall use
Subsequent Hospital Care (CPT code range 99231 - 99233) for a final visit.
Medicare pays for the paperwork of patient discharge day management through the pre-
and post- service work of an E/M service.
C. Subsequent Hospital Visit and Discharge Management on Same Day
Pay only the hospital discharge management code on the day of discharge (unless it is
also the day of admission, in which case, refer to §30.6.9.1 C for the policy on
Observation or Inpatient Care Services (Including Admission and Discharge Services
CPT Codes 99234 - 99236). A/B MACs (B) do not pay both a subsequent hospital visit
in addition to hospital discharge day management service on the same day by the same
physician. Instruct physicians that they may not bill for both a hospital visit and hospital
discharge management for the same date of service.
D. Hospital Discharge Management (CPT Codes 99238 and 99239) and Nursing
Facility Admission Code When Patient Is Discharged From Hospital and Admitted
to Nursing Facility on Same Day
A/B MACs (B) pay the hospital discharge code (codes 99238 or 99239) in addition to a
nursing facility admission code when they are billed by the same physician with the same
date of service.
If a surgeon is admitting the patient to the nursing facility due to a condition that is not as
a result of the surgery during the postoperative period of a service with the global
surgical period, he/she bills for the nursing facility admission and care with a modifier
“-24” and provides documentation that the service is unrelated to the surgery (e.g., return
of an elderly patient to the nursing facility in which he/she has resided for five years
following discharge from the hospital for cholecystectomy).
A/B MACs (B) do not pay for a nursing facility admission by a surgeon in the
postoperative period of a procedure with a global surgical period if the patient’s
admission to the nursing facility is to receive post operative care related to the surgery
(e.g., admission to a nursing facility to receive physical therapy following a hip
replacement). Payment for the nursing facility admission and subsequent nursing facility
services are included in the global fee and cannot be paid separately.
E. Hospital Discharge Management and Death Pronouncement
Only the physician who personally performs the pronouncement of death shall bill for the
face-to-face Hospital Discharge Day Management Service, CPT code 99238 or 99239.
The date of the pronouncement shall reflect the calendar date of service on the day it was
performed even if the paperwork is delayed to a subsequent date.
30.6.10 - Consultation Services
(Rev. 2282, Issued: 08-26-11, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 11-28-11)
Consultation Services versus Other Evaluation and Management (E/M) Visits
Effective January 1, 2010, the consultation codes are no longer recognized for Medicare
Part B payment. Physicians shall code patient evaluation and management visits with
E/M codes that represent where the visit occurs and that identify the complexity of the
visit performed.
In the inpatient hospital setting and the nursing facility setting, physicians (and qualified
nonphysician practitioners where permitted) may bill the most appropriate initial
hospital care code (99221-99223), subsequent hospital care code (99231 and 99232),
initial nursing facility care code (99304-99306), or subsequent nursing facility care
code (99307-99310) that reflects the services the physician or practitioner furnished.
Subsequent hospital care codes could potentially meet the component work and medical
necessity requirements to be reported for an E/M service that could be described by CPT
consultation code 99251 or 99252. A/B MACs (B) shall not find fault in cases where the
medical record appropriately demonstrates that the work and medical necessity
requirements are met for reporting a subsequent hospital care code (under the level
selected), even though the reported code is for the provider's first E/M service to the
inpatient during the hospital stay. Unlisted evaluation and management service (code
99499) shall only be reported for consultation services when an E/M service that could be
described by codes 99251 or 99252 is furnished, and there is no other specific E/M code
payable by Medicare that describes that service. Reporting code 99499 requires
submission of medical records and A/B MAC (B) manual medical review of the service
prior to payment. CMS expects reporting under these circumstances to be unusual. The
principal physician of record is identified in Medicare as the physician who oversees the
patient’s care from other physicians who may be furnishing specialty care. The principal
physician of record shall append modifier “-AI” (Principal Physician of Record), in
addition to the E/M code. Follow-up visits in the facility setting shall be billed as
subsequent hospital care visits and subsequent nursing facility care visits.
In the CAH setting, those CAHs that use method II shall bill the appropriate new or
established visit code for those physician and non-physician practitioners who have
reassigned their billing rights, depending on the relationship status between the physician
and patient.
In the office or other outpatient setting where an evaluation is performed, physicians and
qualified nonphysician practitioners shall use the CPT codes (99201 - 99215) depending
on the complexity of the visit and whether the patient is a new or established patient to
that physician. All physicians and qualified nonphysician practitioners shall follow the
E/M documentation guidelines for all E/M services. These rules are applicable for
Medicare secondary payer claims as well as for claims in which Medicare is the primary
payer.
30.6.11 - Emergency Department Visits (Codes 99281 - 99288)
(Rev. 1875, Issued: 12-14-09, Effective: 01-01-10, Implementation: 01-04-10)
A. Use of Emergency Department Codes by Physicians Not Assigned to Emergency
Department
Any physician seeing a patient registered in the emergency department may use
emergency department visit codes (for services matching the code description). It is not
required that the physician be assigned to the emergency department.
B. Use of Emergency Department Codes In Office
Emergency department coding is not appropriate if the site of service is an office or
outpatient setting or any sight of service other than an emergency department. The
emergency department codes should only be used if the patient is seen in the emergency
department and the services described by the HCPCS code definition are provided. The
emergency department is defined as an organized hospital-based facility for the provision
of unscheduled or episodic services to patients who present for immediate medical
attention.
C. Use of Emergency Department Codes to Bill Nonemergency Services
Services in the emergency department may not be emergencies. However the codes
(99281 - 99288) are payable if the described services are provided.
However, if the physician asks the patient to meet him or her in the emergency
department as an alternative to the physician’s office and the patient is not registered as a
patient in the emergency department, the physician should bill the appropriate
office/outpatient visit codes. Normally a lower level emergency department code would
be reported for a nonemergency condition.
D. Emergency Department or Office/Outpatient Visits on Same Day As Nursing
Facility Admission
Emergency department visit provided on the same day as a comprehensive nursing
facility assessment are not paid. Payment for evaluation and management services on the
same date provided in sites other than the nursing facility are included in the payment for
initial nursing facility care when performed on the same date as the nursing facility
admission.
E. Physician Billing for Emergency Department Services Provided to Patient by
Both Patient’s Personal Physician and Emergency Department Physician
If a physician advises his/her own patient to go to an emergency department (ED) of a
hospital for care and the physician subsequently is asked by the ED physician to come to
the hospital to evaluate the patient and to advise the ED physician as to whether the
patient should be admitted to the hospital or be sent home, the physicians should bill as
follows:
• If the patient is admitted to the hospital by the patient’s personal physician, then
the patient’s regular physician should bill only the appropriate level of the initial
hospital care (codes 99221 - 99223) because all evaluation and management
services provided by that physician in conjunction with that admission are
considered part of the initial hospital care when performed on the same date as the
admission. The ED physician who saw the patient in the emergency department
should bill the appropriate level of the ED codes.
• If the ED physician, based on the advice of the patient’s personal physician who
came to the emergency department to see the patient, sends the patient home, then
the ED physician should bill the appropriate level of emergency department
service. The patient’s personal physician should also bill the level of emergency
department code that describes the service he or she provided in the emergency
department. If the patient’s personal physician does not come to the hospital to
see the patient, but only advises the emergency department physician by
telephone, then the patient’s personal physician may not bill.
F. Emergency Department Physician Requests Another Physician to See the Patient
in Emergency Department or Office/Outpatient Setting
If the emergency department physician requests that another physician evaluate a given
patient, the other physician should bill an emergency department visit code. If the patient
is admitted to the hospital by the second physician performing the evaluation, he or she
should bill an initial hospital care code and not an emergency department visit code.
30.6.12 - Critical Care Visits and Neonatal Intensive Care (Codes
99291 - 99292)
(Rev. 2997, Issued: 07-25-14, Effective: Upon implementation of ICD-10; 01-01-
2012 - ASC X12, Implementation: 08-25-2014 - ASC X12; Upon Implementation of
ICD-10)
CRITICAL CARE SERVICES (CODES 99291-99292)
A. Use of Critical Care Codes
Pay for services reported with CPT codes 99291 and 99292 when all the criteria for
critical care and critical care services are met. Critical care is defined as the direct
delivery by a physician(s) medical care for a critically ill or critically injured patient. A
critical illness or injury acutely impairs one or more vital organ systems such that there is
a high probability of imminent or life threatening deterioration in the patient’s condition.
Critical care involves high complexity decision making to assess, manipulate, and
support vital system functions(s) to treat single or multiple vital organ system failure
and/or to prevent further life threatening deterioration of the patient’s condition.
Examples of vital organ system failure include, but are not limited to: central nervous
system failure, circulatory failure, shock, renal, hepatic, metabolic, and/or respiratory
failure. Although critical care typically requires interpretation of multiple physiologic
parameters and/or application of advanced technology(s), critical care may be provided in
life threatening situations when these elements are not present.
Providing medical care to a critically ill, injured, or post-operative patient qualifies as a
critical care service only if both the illness or injury and the treatment being provided
meet the above requirements.
Critical care is usually, but not always, given in a critical care area such as a coronary
care unit, intensive care unit, respiratory care unit, or the emergency department.
However, payment may be made for critical care services provided in any location as
long as the care provided meets the definition of critical care.
Consult the American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Manual for the applicable codes
and guidance for critical care services provided to neonates, infants and children.
B. Critical Care Services and Medical Necessity
Critical care services must be medically necessary and reasonable. Services provided that
do not meet critical care services or services provided for a patient who is not critically ill
or injured in accordance with the above definitions and criteria but who happens to be in
a critical care, intensive care, or other specialized care unit should be reported using
another appropriate E/M code (e.g., subsequent hospital care, CPT codes 99231 - 99233).
As described in Section A, critical care services encompass both treatment of “vital organ
failure” and “prevention of further life threatening deterioration of the patient’s
condition.” Therefore, although critical care may be delivered in a moment of crisis or
upon being called to the patient’s bedside emergently, this is not a requirement for
providing critical care service. The treatment and management of the patient’s condition,
while not necessarily emergent, shall be required, based on the threat of imminent
deterioration (i.e., the patient shall be critically ill or injured at the time of the physician’s
visit).
Chronic Illness and Critical Care:
Examples of patients whose medical condition may not warrant critical care services:
1. Daily management of a patient on chronic ventilator therapy does not meet the
criteria for critical care unless the critical care is separately identifiable from the
chronic long term management of the ventilator dependence.
2. Management of dialysis or care related to dialysis for a patient receiving ESRD
hemodialysis does not meet the criteria for critical care unless the critical care is
separately identifiable from the chronic long term management of the dialysis
dependence (refer to Chapter 8, §160.4). When a separately identifiable condition
(e.g., management of seizures or pericardial tamponade related to renal failure) is
being managed, it may be billed as critical care if critical care requirements are
met. Modifier -25 should be appended to the critical care code when applicable in
this situation.
Examples of patients whose medical condition may warrant critical care services:
1. An 81 year old male patient is admitted to the intensive care unit following
abdominal aortic aneurysm resection. Two days after surgery he requires fluids
and pressors to maintain adequate perfusion and arterial pressures. He remains
ventilator dependent.
2. A 67 year old female patient is 3 days status post mitral valve repair. She
develops petechiae, hypotension and hypoxia requiring respiratory and circulatory
support.
3. A 70 year old admitted for right lower lobe pneumococcal pneumonia with a
history of COPD becomes hypoxic and hypotensive 2 days after admission.
4. A 68 year old admitted for an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction continues
to have symptomatic ventricular tachycardia that is marginally responsive to
antiarrhythmic therapy.
Examples of patients who may not satisfy Medicare medical necessity criteria, or do not
meet critical care criteria or who do not have a critical care illness or injury and therefore
not eligible for critical care payment:
1. Patients admitted to a critical care unit because no other hospital beds were
available;
2. Patients admitted to a critical care unit for close nursing observation and/or
frequent monitoring of vital signs (e.g., drug toxicity or overdose); and
3. Patients admitted to a critical care unit because hospital rules require certain
treatments (e.g., insulin infusions) to be administered in the critical care unit.
Providing medical care to a critically ill patient should not be automatically deemed to be
a critical care service for the sole reason that the patient is critically ill or injured. While
more than one physician may provide critical care services to a patient during the critical
care episode of an illness or injury each physician must be managing one or more critical
illness(es) or injury(ies) in whole or in part.
EXAMPLE: A dermatologist evaluates and treats a rash on an ICU patient who is
maintained on a ventilator and nitroglycerine infusion that are being managed by an
intensivist. The dermatologist should not report a service for critical care.
C. Critical Care Services and Full Attention of the Physician
The duration of critical care services to be reported is the time the physician spent
evaluating, providing care and managing the critically ill or injured patient's care. That
time must be spent at the immediate bedside or elsewhere on the floor or unit so long as
the physician is immediately available to the patient.
For example, time spent reviewing laboratory test results or discussing the critically ill
patient's care with other medical staff in the unit or at the nursing station on the floor may
be reported as critical care, even when it does not occur at the bedside, if this time
represents the physician’s full attention to the management of the critically ill/injured
patient.
For any given period of time spent providing critical care services, the physician must
devote his or her full attention to the patient and, therefore, cannot provide services to
any other patient during the same period of time.
D. Critical Care Services and Qualified Non-Physician Practitioners (NPP)
Critical care services may be provided by qualified NPPs and reported for payment under
the NPP’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) when the services meet the definition and
requirements of critical care services in Sections A and B. The provision of critical care
services must be within the scope of practice and licensure requirements for the State in
which the qualified NPP practices and provides the service(s). Collaboration, physician
supervision and billing requirements must also be met. A physician assistant shall meet
the general physician supervision requirements.
E. Critical Care Services and Physician Time
Critical care is a time- based service, and for each date and encounter entry, the
physician's progress note(s) shall document the total time that critical care services were
provided. More than one physician can provide critical care at another time and be paid
if the service meets critical care, is medically necessary and is not duplicative care.
Concurrent care by more than one physician (generally representing different physician
specialties) is payable if these requirements are met (refer to the Medicare Benefit Policy
Manual, Pub. 100-02, Chapter 15, §30 for concurrent care policy discussion).
The CPT critical care codes 99291 and 99292 are used to report the total duration of time
spent by a physician providing critical care services to a critically ill or critically injured
patient, even if the time spent by the physician on that date is not continuous. Non-
continuous time for medically necessary critical care services may be aggregated.
Reporting CPT code 99291 is a prerequisite to reporting CPT code 99292. Physicians of
the same specialty within the same group practice bill and are paid as though they were a
single physician (§30.6.5).
1. Off the Unit/Floor
Time spent in activities (excluding those identified previously in Section C)
that occur outside of the unit or off the floor (i.e., telephone calls, whether
taken at home, in the office, or elsewhere in the hospital) may not be
reported as critical care because the physician is not immediately available
to the patient. This time is regarded as pre- and post service work bundled
in evaluation and management services.
2. Split/Shared Service
A split/shared E/M service performed by a physician and a qualified NPP of
the same group practice (or employed by the same employer) cannot be
reported as a critical care service. Critical care services are reflective of the
care and management of a critically ill or critically injured patient by an
individual physician or qualified non-physician practitioner for the specified
reportable period of time.
Unlike other E/M services where a split/shared service is allowed the critical
care service reported shall reflect the evaluation, treatment and management
of a patient by an individual physician or qualified non-physician
practitioner and shall not be representative of a combined service between a
physician and a qualified NPP.
When CPT code time requirements for both 99291 and 99292 and critical
care criteria are met for a medically necessary visit by a qualified NPP the
service shall be billed using the appropriate individual NPI number.
Medically necessary visit(s) that do not meet these requirements shall be
reported as subsequent hospital care services.
3. Unbundled Procedures
Time involved performing procedures that are not bundled into critical care
(i.e., billed and paid separately) may not be included and counted toward
critical care time. The physician's progress note(s) in the medical record
should document that time involved in the performance of separately
billable procedures was not counted toward critical care time.
4. Family Counseling/Discussions
Critical care CPT codes 99291 and 99292 include pre and post service work.
Routine daily updates or reports to family members and or surrogates are
considered part of this service. However, time involved with family
members or other surrogate decision makers, whether to obtain a history or
to discuss treatment options (as described in CPT), may be counted toward
critical care time when these specific criteria are met:
a) The patient is unable or incompetent to participate in giving a history
and/or making treatment decisions, and
b) The discussion is necessary for determining treatment decisions.
For family discussions, the physician should document:
a. The patient is unable or incompetent to participate in giving history
and/or making treatment decisions
b. The necessity to have the discussion (e.g., "no other source was
available to obtain a history" or "because the patient was
deteriorating so rapidly I needed to immediately discuss treatment
options with the family",
c. Medically necessary treatment decisions for which the discussion was
needed, and
d. A summary in the medical record that supports the medical
necessity of the discussion
All other family discussions, no matter how lengthy, may not be
additionally counted towards critical care. Telephone calls to
family members and or surrogate decision-makers may be counted
towards critical care time, but only if they meet the same criteria as
described in the aforementioned paragraph.
5. Inappropriate Use of Time for Payment of Critical Care Services.
Time involved in activities that do not directly contribute to the treatment
of the critically ill or injured patient may not be counted towards the
critical care time, even when they are performed in the critical care unit at
a patient's bedside (e.g., review of literature, and teaching sessions with
physician residents whether conducted on hospital rounds or in other
venues).
F. Hours and Days of Critical Care that May Be Billed
Critical care service is a time-based service provided on an hourly or fraction of an hour
basis. Payment should not be restricted to a fixed number of hours, a fixed number of
physicians, or a fixed number of days, on a per patient basis, for medically necessary
critical care services. Time counted towards critical care services may be continuous or
intermittent and aggregated in time increments (e.g., 50 minutes of continuous clock time
or (5) 10 minute blocks of time spread over a given calendar date). Only one physician
may bill for critical care services during any one single period of time even if more than
one physician is providing care to a critically ill patient.
For Medicare Part B physician services paid under the physician fee schedule, critical
care is not a service that is paid on a “shift” basis or a “per day” basis. Documentation
may be requested for any claim to determine medical necessity. Examples of critical care
billing that may require further review could include: claims from several physicians
submitting multiple units of critical care for a single patient, and submitting claims for
more than 12 hours of critical care time by a physician for one or more patients on the
same given calendar date. Physicians assigned to a critical care unit (e.g., hospitalist,
intensivist, etc.) may not report critical care for patients based on a ‘per shift” basis.
The CPT code 99291 is used to report the first 30 - 74 minutes of critical care on a given
calendar date of service. It should only be used once per calendar date per patient by the
same physician or physician group of the same specialty. CPT code 99292 is used to
report additional block(s) of time, of up to 30 minutes each beyond the first 74 minutes of
critical care (See table below). Critical care of less than 30 minutes total duration on a
given calendar date is not reported separately using the critical care codes. This service
should be reported using another appropriate E/M code such as subsequent hospital care.
Clinical Example of Correct Billing of Time:
A patient arrives in the emergency department in cardiac arrest. The emergency
department physician provides 40 minutes of critical care services. A cardiologist is
called to the ED and assumes responsibility for the patient, providing 35 minutes of
critical care services. The patient stabilizes and is transferred to the CCU. In this
instance, the ED physician provided 40 minutes of critical care services and reports only
the critical care code (CPT code 99291) and not also emergency department services. The
cardiologist may report the 35 minutes of critical care services (also CPT code 99291)
provided in the ED. Additional critical care services by the cardiologist in the CCU may
be reported on the same calendar date using 99292 or another appropriate E/M code
depending on the clock time involved.
G. Counting of Units of Critical Care Services
The CPT code 99291 (critical care, first hour) is used to report the services of a
physician providing full attention to a critically ill or critically injured patient from 30-74
minutes on a given date. Only one unit of CPT code 99291 may be billed by a physician
for a patient on a given date. Physicians of the same specialty within the same group
practice bill and are paid as though they were a single physician and would not each
report CPT 99291on the same date of service.
The following table illustrates the correct reporting of critical care services:
Total Duration of Critical Care
Codes
Less than 30 minutes
99232 or 99233 or other appropriate E/M code
30 - 74 minutes
99291 x 1
75 - 104 minutes
99291 x 1 and 99292 x 1
105 - 134 minutes
99291 x1 and 99292 x 2
135 - 164 minutes
99291 x 1 and 99292 x 3
165 - 194 minutes
99291 x 1 and 99292 x 4
194 minutes or longer
99291 - 99292 as appropriate (per the above
illustrations)
H. Critical Care Services and Other Evaluation and Management Services Provided
on Same Day
When critical care services are required upon the patient's presentation to the hospital
emergency department, only critical care codes 99291 - 99292 may be reported. An
emergency department visit code may not also be reported.
When critical care services are provided on a date where an inpatient hospital or
office/outpatient evaluation and management service was furnished earlier on the same
date at which time the patient did not require critical care, both the critical care and the
previous evaluation and management service may be paid. Hospital emergency
department services are not payable for the same calendar date as critical care services
when provided by the same physician to the same patient.
Physicians are advised to submit documentation to support a claim when critical care is
additionally reported on the same calendar date as when other evaluation and
management services are provided to a patient by the same physician or physicians of the
same specialty in a group practice.
I. Critical Care Services Provided by Physicians in Group Practice(s)
Medically necessary critical care services provided on the same calendar date to the same
patient by physicians representing different medical specialties that are not duplicative
services are payable. The medical specialists may be from the same group practice or
from different group practices.
Critically ill or critically injured patients may require the care of more than one physician
medical specialty. Concurrent critical care services provided by each physician must be
medically necessary and not provided during the same instance of time. Medical record
documentation must support the medical necessity of critical care services provided by
each physician (or qualified NPP). Each physician must accurately report the service(s)
he/she provided to the patient in accordance with any applicable global surgery rules or
concurrent care rules. (Refer to Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04,
Chapter 12, §40, and the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Pub. 100-02, Chapter 15,
§30.)
CPT Code 99291
The initial critical care time, billed as CPT code 99291, must be met by a single physician
or qualified NPP. This may be performed in a single period of time or be cumulative by
the same physician on the same calendar date. A history or physical exam performed by
one group partner for another group partner in order for the second group partner to make
a medical decision would not represent critical care services.
CPT Code 99292
Subsequent critical care visits performed on the same calendar date are reported using
CPT code 99292. The service may represent aggregate time met by a single physician or
physicians in the same group practice with the same medical specialty in order to meet
the duration of minutes required for CPT code 99292. The aggregated critical care visits
must be medically necessary and each aggregated visit must meet the definition of critical
care in order to combine the times.
Physicians in the same group practice who have the same specialty may not each report
CPT initial critical care code 99291 for critical care services to the same patient on the
same calendar date. Medicare payment policy states that physicians in the same group
practice who are in the same specialty must bill and be paid as though each were the
single physician. (Refer to the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04,
Chapter 12, §30.6.)
Physician specialty means the self-designated primary specialty by which the physician
bills Medicare and is known to the A/B MAC (B) that adjudicates the claims. Physicians
in the same group practice who have different medical specialties may bill and be paid
without regard to their membership in the same group. For example, if a cardiologist and
an endocrinologist are group partners and the critical care services of each are medically
necessary and not duplicative, the critical care services may be reported by each
regardless of their group practice relationship.
Two or more physicians in the same group practice who have different specialties and
who provide critical care to a critically ill or critically injured patient may not in all cases
each report the initial critical care code (CPT 99291) on the same date. When the group
physicians are providing care that is unique to his/her individual medical specialty and
managing at least one of the patient’s critical illness(es) or critical injury(ies) then the
initial critical care service may be payable to each.
However, if a physician or qualified NPP within a group provides “staff coverage” or
“follow-up” for each other after the first hour of critical care services was provided on the
same calendar date by the previous group clinician (physician or qualified NPP), the
subsequent visits by the “covering” physician or qualified NPP in the group shall be
billed using CPT critical care add-on code 99292. The appropriate individual NPI number
shall be reported on the claim. The services will be paid at the specific physician fee
schedule rate for the individual clinician (physician or qualified NPP) billing the service.
Clinical Examples of Critical Care Services
1. Drs. Smith and Jones, pulmonary specialists, share a group practice. On Tuesday
Dr. Smith provides critical care services to Mrs. Benson who is comatose and has
been in the intensive care unit for 4 days following a motor vehicle accident. She
has multiple organ dysfunction including cerebral hematoma, flail chest and
pulmonary contusion. Later on the same calendar date Dr. Jones covers for Dr.
Smith and provides critical care services. Medically necessary critical care services
provided at the different time periods may be reported by both Drs. Smith and
Jones. Dr. Smith would report CPT code 99291 for the initial visit and Dr. Jones,
as part of the same group practice would report CPT code 99292 on the same
calendar date if the appropriate time requirements are met.
2. Mr. Marks, a 79 year old comes to the emergency room with vague joint pains and
lethargy. The ED physician evaluates Mr. Marks and phones his primary care
physician to discuss his medical evaluation. His primary care physician visits the
ER and admits Mr. Marks to the observation unit for monitoring, and diagnostic and
laboratory tests. In observation Mr. Marks has a cardiac arrest. His primary care
physician provides 50 minutes of critical care services. Mr. Marks’ is admitted to
the intensive care unit. On the same calendar day Mr. Marks’ condition deteriorates
and he requires intermittent critical care services. In this scenario the ED physician
should report an emergency department visit and the primary care physician should
report both an initial hospital visit and critical care services.
J. Critical Care Services and Other Procedures Provided on the Same Day by the
Same Physician as Critical Care Codes 99291 - 99292
The following services when performed on the day a physician bills for critical care are
included in the critical care service and should not be reported separately:
• The interpretation of cardiac output measurements (CPT 93561, 93562);
• Chest x-rays, professional component (CPT 71010, 71015, 71020);
• Blood draw for specimen (CPT 36415);
• Blood gases, and information data stored in computers (e.g., ECGs, blood
pressures, hematologic data-CPT 99090);
• Gastric intubation (CPT 43752, 91105);
• Pulse oximetry (CPT 94760, 94761, 94762);
• Temporary transcutaneous pacing (CPT 92953);
• Ventilator management (CPT 94002 - 94004, 94660, 94662); and
• Vascular access procedures (CPT 36000, 36410, 36415, 36591, 36600).
No other procedure codes are bundled into the critical care services. Therefore, other
medically necessary procedure codes may be billed separately.
K. Global Surgery
Critical care services shall not be paid on the same calendar date the physician also
reports a procedure code with a global surgical period unless the critical care is billed
with CPT modifier -25 to indicate that the critical care is a significant, separately
identifiable evaluation and management service that is above and beyond the usual pre
and post operative care associated with the procedure that is performed.
Services such as endotracheal intubation (CPT code 31500) and the insertion and
placement of a flow directed catheter e.g., Swan-Ganz (CPT code 93503) are not bundled
into the critical care codes. Therefore, separate payment may be made for critical care in
addition to these services if the critical care was a significant, separately identifiable
service and it was reported with modifier -25. The time spent performing the pre, intra,
and post procedure work of these unbundled services, e.g., endotracheal intubation, shall
be excluded from the determination of the time spent providing critical care.
This policy applies to any procedure with a 0, 10 or 90 day global period including
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPT code 92950). CPR has a global period of 0 days and
is not bundled into critical care codes. Therefore, critical care may be billed in addition
to CPR if critical care was a significant, separately identifiable service and it was
reported with modifier -25. The time spent performing CPR shall be excluded from the
determination of the time spent providing critical care. In this instance it must be the
physician who performs the resuscitation who bills for this service. Members of a code
team must not each bill Medicare Part B for this service.
When postoperative critical care services (for procedures with a global surgical period)
are provided by a physician other than the surgeon, no modifier is required unless all
surgical postoperative care has been officially transferred from the surgeon to the
physician performing the critical care services. In this situation, CPT modifiers "-54"
(surgical care only) and "-55"(postoperative management only) must be used by the
surgeon and intensivist who are submitting claims. Medical record documentation by the
surgeon and the physician who assumes a transfer (e.g., intensivist) is required to support
claims for services when CPT modifiers -54 and -55 are used indicating the transfer of
care from the surgeon to the intensivist. Critical care services must meet all the
conditions previously described in this manual section.
L. Critical Care Services Provided During Preoperative Portion and Postoperative
Portion of Global Period of Procedure with 90 Day Global Period in Trauma and
Burn Cases
Preoperative critical care and/or postoperative care may be paid in addition to a global fee
if the patient is critically ill and requires the full attention of the physician, and the critical
care is unrelated to the specific anatomic injury or general surgical procedure performed.
Such patients may meet the definition of being critically ill and criteria for conditions
where there is a high probability of imminent or life threatening deterioration in the
patient’s condition.
• For preoperative care modifier -25 (significant, separately identifiable evaluation
and management services by the same physician on the day of the procedure)
must be used with the HCPCS code
• For postoperative care modifier -24 (unrelated evaluation and management
service by the same physician during a postoperative period) must be used with
the HCPCS code.
In addition, for each preoperative and postoperative care the diagnosis must clearly
indicate that the critical care was unrelated to the surgery.
M. Teaching Physician Criteria
In order for the teaching physician to bill for critical care services the teaching physician
must meet the requirements for critical care described in the preceding sections. For CPT
codes determined on the basis of time, such as critical care, the teaching physician must
be present for the entire period of time for which the claim is submitted. For example,
payment will be made for 35 minutes of critical care services only if the teaching
physician is present for the full 35 minutes. (See IOM, Pub 100-04, Chapter12, § 100.1.4)
1. Teaching
Time spent teaching may not be counted towards critical care time. Time spent by the
resident, in the absence of the teaching physician, cannot be billed by the teaching
physician as critical care or other time-based services. Only time spent by the resident
and teaching physician together with the patient or the teaching physician alone with the
patient can be counted toward critical care time.
2. Documentation
A combination of the teaching physician’s documentation and the resident’s
documentation may support critical care services. Provided that all requirements for
critical care services are met, the teaching physician documentation may tie into the
resident's documentation. The teaching physician may refer to the resident’s
documentation for specific patient history, physical findings and medical assessment.
However, the teaching physician medical record documentation must provide substantive
information including: (1) the time the teaching physician spent providing critical care,
(2) that the patient was critically ill during the time the teaching physician saw the
patient, (3) what made the patient critically ill, and (4) the nature of the treatment and
management provided by the teaching physician. The medical review criteria are the
same for the teaching physician as for all physicians. (See the Medicare Claims
Processing, Pub. 100-04, Chapter 12, §100.1.1 for teaching physician documentation
guidance.)
Unacceptable Example of Documentation:
“I came and saw (the patient) and agree with (the resident)”.
Acceptable Example of Documentation:
"Patient developed hypotension and hypoxia; I spent 45 minutes while the patient
was in this condition, providing fluids, pressor drugs, and oxygen. I reviewed the
resident's documentation and I agree with the resident's assessment and plan of
care."
N. Ventilator Management
Medicare recognizes the ventilator codes (CPT codes 94002 - 94004, 94660 and 94662)
as physician services payable under the physician fee schedule. Medicare Part B under
the physician fee schedule does not pay for ventilator management services in addition to
an evaluation and management service (e.g., critical care services, CPT codes 99291 -
99292) on the same day for the patient even when the evaluation and management service
is billed with CPT modifier -25.
30.6.13 - Nursing Facility Services
(Rev. 2282, Issued: 08-26-11, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 11-28-11)
A. Visits to Perform the Initial Comprehensive Assessment and Annual Assessments
The distinction made between the delegation of physician visits and tasks in a skilled
nursing facility (SNF) and in a nursing facility (NF) is based on the Medicare Statute.
Section 1819 (b) (6) (A) of the Social Security Act (the Act) governs SNFs while section
1919 (b) (6) (A) of the Act governs NFs. For further information refer to the Medicare
Learning Network article SE0418 at: http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-
Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-
MLN/MLNGenInfo/index.html?redirect=/MLNGenInfo
The federally mandated visits in a SNF and NF must be performed by the physician
except as otherwise permitted (42 CFR 483.40 (c) (4) and (f)). The principal physician of
record must append the modifier “-AI”, (Principal Physician of Record), to the initial
nursing facility care code. This modifier will identify the physician who oversees the
patient’s care from other physicians who may be furnishing specialty care. All other
physicians or qualified NPPs who perform an initial evaluation in the NF or SNF may bill
the initial nursing facility care code. The initial federally mandated visit is defined in
S&C-04-08 (see http://www.cms.gov/site-search/search-results.html?q=S%26C-04-08)
as the initial comprehensive visit during which the physician completes a thorough
assessment, develops a plan of care, and writes or verifies admitting orders for the
nursing facility resident. For Survey and Certification requirements, a visit must occur
no later than 30 days after admission.
Further, per the Long Term Care regulations at 42 CFR 483.40 (c) (4) and (e) (2), in a
SNF the physician may not delegate a task that the physician must personally perform.
Therefore, as stated in S&C-04-08 the physician may not delegate the initial federally
mandated comprehensive visit in a SNF.
The only exception, as to who performs the initial visit, relates to the NF setting. In the
NF setting, a qualified NPP (i.e., a nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), or a
clinical nurse specialist (CNS)), who is not employed by the facility, may perform the
initial visit when the State law permits. The evaluation and management (E/M) visit shall
be within the State scope of practice and licensure requirements where the E/M visit is
performed and the requirements for physician collaboration and physician supervision
shall be met.
Under Medicare Part B payment policy, other medically necessary E/M visits may be
performed and reported prior to and after the initial visit, if the medical needs of the
patient require an E/M visit. A qualified NPP may perform medically necessary E/M
visits prior to and after the initial visit if all the requirements for collaboration, general
physician supervision, licensure, and billing are met.
The CPT Nursing Facility Services codes shall be used with place of service (POS) 31
(SNF) if the patient is in a Part A SNF stay. They shall be used with POS 32 (nursing
facility) if the patient does not have Part A SNF benefits or if the patient is in a NF or in a
non-covered SNF stay (e.g., there was no preceding 3-day hospital stay). The CPT
Nursing Facility code definition also includes POS 54 (Intermediate Care
Facility/Mentally Retarded) and POS 56 (Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center). For
further guidance on POS codes and associated CPT codes refer to §30.6.14.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Initial Nursing Facility Care codes 99301- 99303 are
deleted.
Beginning January 1, 2006, the new CPT codes, Initial Nursing Facility Care, per day,
(99304 - 99306) shall be used to report the initial federally mandated visit. Only a
physician may report these codes for an initial federally mandated visit performed in a
SNF or NF (with the exception of the qualified NPP in the NF setting who is not
employed by the facility and when State law permits, as explained above).
A readmission to a SNF or NF shall have the same payment policy requirements as an
initial admission in both the SNF and NF settings.
A physician who is employed by the SNF/NF may perform the E/M visits and bill
independently to Medicare Part B for payment. An NPP who is employed by the SNF or
NF may perform and bill Medicare Part B directly for those services where it is permitted
as discussed above. The employer of the PA shall always report the visits performed by
the PA. A physician, NP or CNS has the option to bill Medicare directly or to reassign
payment for his/her professional service to the facility.
As with all E/M visits for Medicare Part B payment policy, the E/M documentation
guidelines apply.
Medically Necessary Visits
Qualified NPPs may perform medically necessary E/M visits prior to and after the
physician’s initial federally mandated visit in both the SNF and NF. Medically necessary
E/M visits for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury or to improve the
functioning of a malformed body member are payable under the physician fee schedule
under Medicare Part B. A physician or NPP may bill the most appropriate initial
nursing facility care code (CPT codes 99304-99306) or subsequent nursing facility
care code (CPT codes 99307-99310), even if the E/M service is provided prior to the
initial federally mandated visit.
SNF Setting--Place of Service Code 31
Following the initial federally mandated visit by the physician, the physician may
delegate alternate federally mandated physician visits to a qualified NPP who meets
collaboration and physician supervision requirements and is licensed as such by the State
and performing within the scope of practice in that State.
NF Setting--Place of Service Code 32
Per the regulations at 42 CFR 483.40 (f), a qualified NPP, who meets the collaboration
and physician supervision requirements, the State scope of practice and licensure
requirements, and who is not employed by the NF, may at the option of the State,
perform the initial federally mandated visit in a NF, and may perform any other federally
mandated physician visit in a NF in addition to performing other medically necessary
E/M visits.
Questions pertaining to writing orders or certification and recertification issues in the
SNF and NF settings shall be addressed to the appropriate State Survey and Certification
Agency departments for clarification.
B. Visits to Comply With Federal Regulations (42 CFR 483.40 (c) (1)) in the SNF
and NF
Payment is made under the physician fee schedule by Medicare Part B for federally
mandated visits. Following the initial federally mandated visit by the physician or
qualified NPP where permitted, payment shall be made for federally mandated visits that
monitor and evaluate residents at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days after
admission and at least once every 60 days thereafter.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Subsequent Nursing Facility Care, per day, codes 99311-
99313 are deleted.
Beginning January 1, 2006, the new CPT codes, Subsequent Nursing Facility Care, per
day, (99307 - 99310) shall be used to report federally mandated physician E/M visits and
medically necessary E/M visits.
A/B MACs (B) shall not pay for more than one E/M visit performed by the physician or
qualified NPP for the same patient on the same date of service. The Nursing Facility
Services codes represent a “per day” service.
The federally mandated E/M visit may serve also as a medically necessary E/M visit if
the situation arises (i.e., the patient has health problems that need attention on the day the
scheduled mandated physician E/M visit occurs). The physician/qualified NPP shall bill
only one E/M visit.
Beginning January 1, 2006, the new CPT code, Other Nursing Facility Service (99318),
may be used to report an annual nursing facility assessment visit on the required schedule
of visits on an annual basis. For Medicare Part B payment policy, an annual nursing
facility assessment visit code may substitute as meeting one of the federally mandated
physician visits if the code requirements for CPT code 99318 are fully met and in lieu of
reporting a Subsequent Nursing Facility Care, per day, service (codes 99307 - 99310). It
shall not be performed in addition to the required number of federally mandated
physician visits. The new CPT annual assessment code does not represent a new benefit
service for Medicare Part B physician services.
Qualified NPPs, whether employed or not by the SNF, may perform alternating federally
mandated physician visits, at the option of the physician, after the initial federally
mandated visit by the physician in a SNF.
Qualified NPPs in the NF setting, who are not employed by the NF and who are working
in collaboration with a physician, may perform federally mandated physician visits, at the
option of the State.
Medicare Part B payment policy does not pay for additional E/M visits that may be
required by State law for a facility admission or for other additional visits to satisfy
facility or other administrative purposes. E/M visits, prior to and after the initial federally
mandated physician visit, that are reasonable and medically necessary to meet the
medical needs of the individual patient (unrelated to any State requirement or
administrative purpose) are payable under Medicare Part B.
C. Visits by Qualified Nonphysician Practitioners
All E/M visits shall be within the State scope of practice and licensure requirements
where the visit is performed and all the requirements for physician collaboration and
physician supervision shall be met when performed and reported by qualified NPPs.
General physician supervision and employer billing requirements shall be met for PA
services in addition to the PA meeting the State scope of practice and licensure
requirements where the E/M visit is performed.
Medically Necessary Visits
Qualified NPPs may perform medically necessary E/M visits prior to and after the
physician’s initial visit in both the SNF and NF. Medically necessary E/M visits for the
diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a
malformed body member are payable under the physician fee schedule under Medicare
Part B. A physician or NPP may bill the most appropriate initial nursing facility
care code (CPT codes 99304-99306) or subsequent nursing facility care code (CPT
codes 99307-99310), even if the E/M service is provided prior to the initial federally
mandated visit.
SNF Setting--Place of Service Code 31
Following the initial federally mandated visit by the physician, the physician may
delegate alternate federally mandated physician visits to a qualified NPP who meets
collaboration and physician supervision requirements and is licensed as such by the State
and performing within the scope of practice in that State.
NF Setting--Place of Service Code 32
Per the regulations at 42 CFR 483.40 (f), a qualified NPP, who meets the collaboration
and physician supervision requirements, the State scope of practice and licensure
requirements, and who is not employed by the NF, may at the option of the State,
perform the initial federally mandated visit in a NF, and may perform any other federally
mandated physician visit in a NF in addition to performing other medically necessary
E/M visits.
Questions pertaining to writing orders or certification and recertification issues in the
SNF and NF settings shall be addressed to the appropriate State Survey and Certification
Agency departments for clarification.
D. Medically Complex Care
Payment is made for E/M visits to patients in a SNF who are receiving services for
medically complex care upon discharge from an acute care facility when the visits are
reasonable and medically necessary and documented in the medical record. Physicians
and qualified NPPs shall report initial nursing facility care codes for their first visit with
the patient. The principal physician of record must append the modifier “-AI” (Principal
Physician of Record), to the initial nursing facility care code when billed to identify the
physician who oversees the patient’s care from other physicians who may be furnishing
specialty care. Follow-up visits shall be billed as subsequent nursing facility care visits.
E. Incident to Services
Where a physician establishes an office in a SNF/NF, the “incident to” services and
requirements are confined to this discrete part of the facility designated as his/her office.
“Incident to” E/M visits, provided in a facility setting, are not payable under the
Physician Fee Schedule for Medicare Part B. Thus, visits performed outside the
designated “office” area in the SNF/NF would be subject to the coverage and payment
rules applicable to the SNF/NF setting and shall not be reported using the CPT codes for
office or other outpatient visits or use place of service code 11.
F. Use of the Prolonged Services Codes and Other Time-Related Services
Beginning January 1, 2008, typical/average time units for E/M visits in the SNF/NF
settings are reestablished. Medically necessary prolonged services for E/M visits (codes
99356 and 99357) in a SNF or NF may be billed with the Nursing Facility Services in the
code ranges (99304 - 99306, 99307 - 99310 and 99318).
Counseling and Coordination of Care Visits
With the reestablishment of typical/average time units, medically necessary E/M visits
for counseling and coordination of care, for Nursing Facility Services in the code ranges
(99304 - 99306, 99307 - 99310 and 99318) that are time-based services, may be billed
with the appropriate prolonged services codes (99356 and 99357).
G. Multiple Visits
The complexity level of an E/M visit and the CPT code billed must be a covered and
medically necessary visit for each patient (refer to §§1862 (a)(1)(A) of the Act). Claims
for an unreasonable number of daily E/M visits by the same physician to multiple patients
at a facility within a 24-hour period may result in medical review to determine medical
necessity for the visits. The E/M visit (Nursing Facility Services) represents a “per day”
service per patient as defined by the CPT code. The medical record must be personally
documented by the physician or qualified NPP who performed the E/M visit and the
documentation shall support the specific level of E/M visit to each individual patient.
H. Split/Shared E/M Visit
A split/shared E/M visit cannot be reported in the SNF/NF setting. A split/shared E/M
visit is defined by Medicare Part B payment policy as a medically necessary encounter
with a patient where the physician and a qualified NPP each personally perform a
substantive portion of an E/M visit face-to-face with the same patient on the same date of
service. A substantive portion of an E/M visit involves all or some portion of the history,
exam or medical decision making key components of an E/M service. The physician and
the qualified NPP must be in the same group practice or be employed by the same
employer. The split/shared E/M visit applies only to selected E/M visits and settings (i.e.,
hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, hospital observation, emergency department,
hospital discharge, office and non facility clinic visits, and prolonged visits associated
with these E/M visit codes). The split/shared E/M policy does not apply to critical care
services or procedures.
I. SNF/NF Discharge Day Management Service
Medicare Part B payment policy requires a face-to-face visit with the patient provided by
the physician or the qualified NPP to meet the SNF/NF discharge day management
service as defined by the CPT code. The E/M discharge day management visit shall be
reported for the date of the actual visit by the physician or qualified NPP even if the
patient is discharged from the facility on a different calendar date. The CPT codes 99315
- 99316 shall be reported for this visit. The Discharge Day Management Service may be
reported using CPT code 99315 or 99316, depending on the code requirement, for a
patient who has expired, but only if the physician or qualified NPP personally performed
the death pronouncement.
30.6.14 - Home Care and Domiciliary Care Visits (Codes 99324- 99350)
(Rev. 775, Issued: 12-02-05, Effective: 01-01-06, Implementation: 01-03-06)
Physician Visits to Patients Residing in Various Places of Service
The American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 2006 new
patient codes 99324 - 99328 and established patient codes 99334 - 99337(new codes
beginning January 2006), for Domiciliary, Rest Home (e.g., Boarding Home), or
Custodial Care Services, are used to report evaluation and management (E/M) services to
residents residing in a facility which provides room, board, and other personal assistance
services, generally on a long-term basis. These CPT codes are used to report E/M
services in facilities assigned places of service (POS) codes 13 (Assisted Living Facility),
14 (Group Home), 33 (Custodial Care Facility) and 55 (Residential Substance Abuse
Facility). Assisted living facilities may also be known as adult living facilities.
Physicians and qualified nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) furnishing E/M services to
residents in a living arrangement described by one of the POS listed above must use the
level of service code in the CPT code range 99324 - 99337 to report the service they
provide. The CPT codes 99321 - 99333 for Domiciliary, Rest Home (e.g., Boarding
Home), or Custodial Care Services are deleted beginning January, 2006.
Beginning in 2006, reasonable and medically necessary, face-to-face, prolonged services,
represented by CPT codes 99354 - 99355, may be reported with the appropriate
companion E/M codes when a physician or qualified NPP, provides a prolonged service
involving direct (face-to-face) patient contact that is beyond the usual E/M visit service
for a Domiciliary, Rest Home (e.g., Boarding Home) or Custodial Care Service. All the
requirements for prolonged services at §30.6.15.1 must be met.
The CPT codes 99341 through 99350, Home Services codes, are used to report E/M
services furnished to a patient residing in his or her own private residence (e.g., private
home, apartment, town home) and not residing in any type of congregate/shared facility
living arrangement including assisted living facilities and group homes. The Home
Services codes apply only to the specific 2-digit POS 12 (Home). Home Services codes
may not be used for billing E/M services provided in settings other than in the private
residence of an individual as described above.
Beginning in 2006, E/M services provided to patients residing in a Skilled Nursing
Facility (SNF) or a Nursing Facility (NF) must be reported using the appropriate CPT
level of service code within the range identified for Initial Nursing Facility Care (new
CPT codes 99304 - 99306) and Subsequent Nursing Facility Care (new CPT codes 99307
- 99310). Use the CPT code, Other Nursing Facility Services (new CPT code 99318), for
an annual nursing facility assessment. Use CPT codes 99315 - 99316 for SNF/NF
discharge services. The CPT codes 99301 - 99303 and 99311 - 99313 are deleted
beginning January, 2006. The Home Services codes should not be used for these places
of service.
The CPT SNF/NF code definition includes intermediate care facilities (ICFs) and long
term care facilities (LTCFs). These codes are limited to the specific 2-digit POS 31
(SNF), 32 (Nursing Facility), 54 (Intermediate Care Facility/Mentally Retarded) and 56
(Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center).
The CPT nursing facility codes should be used with POS 31 (SNF) if the patient is in a
Part A SNF stay and POS 32 (nursing facility) if the patient does not have Part A SNF
benefits. There is no longer a different payment amount for a Part A or Part B benefit
period in these POS settings.
30.6.14.1 - Home Services (Codes 99341 - 99350)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15515, B3-15066
A. Requirement for Physician Presence
Home services codes 99341-99350 are paid when they are billed to report evaluation and
management services provided in a private residence. A home visit cannot be billed by a
physician unless the physician was actually present in the beneficiary’s home.
B. Homebound Status
Under the home health benefit the beneficiary must be confined to the home for services
to be covered. For home services provided by a physician using these codes, the
beneficiary does not need to be confined to the home. The medical record must
document the medical necessity of the home visit made in lieu of an office or outpatient
visit.
C. Fee Schedule Payment for Services to Homebound Patients under General
Supervision
Payment may be made in some medically underserved areas where there is a lack of
medical personnel and home health services for injections, EKGs, and venipunctures that
are performed for homebound patients under general physician supervision by nurses and
paramedical employees of physicians or physician-directed clinics. Section 10 provides
additional information on the provision of services to homebound Medicare patients.
30.6.15 - Prolonged Services and Standby Services (Codes
99354 - 99360)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15511-15511.3
30.6.15.1 - Prolonged Services With Direct Face-to-Face Patient Contact
Service (ZZZ codes)
(Rev. 2282, Issued: 08-26-11, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 11-28-11)
A. Definition
Prolonged physician services (CPT code 99354) in the office or other outpatient setting
with direct face-to-face patient contact which require 1 hour beyond the usual service are
payable when billed on the same day by the same physician or qualified nonphysician
practitioner (NPP) as the companion evaluation and management codes. The time for
usual service refers to the typical/average time units associated with the companion
evaluation and management service as noted in the CPT code. Each additional 30
minutes of direct face-to-face patient contact following the first hour of prolonged
services may be reported by CPT code 99355.
Prolonged physician services (code 99356) in the inpatient setting, with direct face-to-
face patient contact which require 1 hour beyond the usual service are payable when they
are billed on the same day by the same physician or qualified NPP as the companion
evaluation and management codes. Each additional 30 minutes of direct face-to-face
patient contact following the first hour of prolonged services may be reported by CPT
code 99357.
Prolonged service of less than 30 minutes total duration on a given date is not separately
reported because the work involved is included in the total work of the evaluation and
management codes.
Code 99355 or 99357 may be used to report each additional 30 minutes beyond the first
hour of prolonged services, based on the place of service. These codes may be used to
report the final 15 - 30 minutes of prolonged service on a given date, if not otherwise
billed. Prolonged service of less than 15 minutes beyond the first hour or less than 15
minutes beyond the final 30 minutes is not reported separately.
B. Required Companion Codes
The companion evaluation and management codes for 99354 are the Office or Other
Outpatient visit codes (99201 - 99205, 99212 - 99215), the Domiciliary, Rest Home, or
Custodial Care Services codes (99324 - 99328, 99334 - 99337), the Home Services codes
(99341 - 99345, 99347 - 99350);
The companion codes for 99355 are 99354 and one of the evaluation and management
codes required for 99354 to be used;
The companion evaluation and management codes for 99356 are the Initial Hospital Care
codes and Subsequent Hospital Care codes (99221 - 99223, 99231 - 99233); Nursing
Facility Services codes (99304 -99318); or
The companion codes for 99357 are 99356 and one of the evaluation and management
codes required for 99356 to be used.
Prolonged services codes 99354 - 99357 are not paid unless they are accompanied by the
companion codes as indicated.
C. Requirement for Physician Presence
Physicians may count only the duration of direct face-to-face contact between the
physician and the patient (whether the service was continuous or not) beyond the
typical/average time of the visit code billed to determine whether prolonged services can
be billed and to determine the prolonged services codes that are allowable. In the case of
prolonged office services, time spent by office staff with the patient, or time the patient
remains unaccompanied in the office cannot be billed. In the case of prolonged hospital
services, time spent reviewing charts or discussion of a patient with house medical staff
and not with direct face-to-face contact with the patient, or waiting for test results, for
changes in the patient’s condition, for end of a therapy, or for use of facilities cannot be
billed as prolonged services.
D. Documentation
Documentation is not required to accompany the bill for prolonged services unless the
physician has been selected for medical review. Documentation is required in the
medical record about the duration and content of the medically necessary evaluation and
management service and prolonged services billed. The medical record must be
appropriately and sufficiently documented by the physician or qualified NPP to show that
the physician or qualified NPP personally furnished the direct face-to-face time with the
patient specified in the CPT code definitions. The start and end times of the visit shall be
documented in the medical record along with the date of service.
E. Use of the Codes
Prolonged services codes can be billed only if the total duration of the physician or
qualified NPP direct face-to-face service (including the visit) equals or exceeds the
threshold time for the evaluation and management service the physician or qualified NPP
provided (typical/average time associated with the CPT E/M code plus 30 minutes). If
the total duration of direct face-to-face time does not equal or exceed the threshold time
for the level of evaluation and management service the physician or qualified NPP
provided, the physician or qualified NPP may not bill for prolonged services.
F. Threshold Times for Codes 99354 and 99355 (Office or Other Outpatient Setting)
If the total direct face-to-face time equals or exceeds the threshold time for code 99354,
but is less than the threshold time for code 99355, the physician should bill the evaluation
and management visit code and code 99354. No more than one unit of 99354 is
acceptable. If the total direct face-to-face time equals or exceeds the threshold time for
code 99355 by no more than 29 minutes, the physician should bill the visit code 99354
and one unit of code 99355. One additional unit of code 99355 is billed for each
additional increment of 30 minutes extended duration. A/B MACs (B) use the following
threshold times to determine if the prolonged services codes 99354 and/or 99355 can be
billed with the office or other outpatient settings including domiciliary, rest home, or
custodial care services and home services codes.
Threshold Time for Prolonged Visit Codes 99354 and/or 99355 Billed with
Office/Outpatient
Code
Typical Time
for Code
Threshold Time
to Bill Code
99354
Threshold Time
to Bill Codes
99354 and
99355
99201
10
40
85
99202
20
50
95
99203
30
60
105
99204
45
75
120
99205
60
90
135
Code
Typical Time
for Code
Threshold Time
to Bill Code
99354
Threshold Time
to Bill Codes
99354 and
99355
99212
10
40
85
99213
15
45
90
99214
25
55
100
99215
40
70
115
99324
20
50
95
99325
30
60
105
99326
45
75
120
99327
60
90
135
99328
75
105
150
99334
15
45
90
99335
25
55
100
99336
40
70
115
99337
60
90
135
99341
20
50
95
99342
30
60
105
99343
45
75
120
99344
60
90
135
99345
75
105
150
99347
15
45
90
99348
25
55
100
99349
40
70
115
99350
60
90
135
Add 30 minutes to the threshold time for billing codes 99354 and 99355 to get the
threshold time for billing code 99354 and two units of code 99355. For example, to bill
code 99354 and two units of code 99355 when billing a code 99205, the threshold time is
150 minutes.
G. Threshold Times for Codes 99356 and 99357
(Inpatient Setting) If the total direct face-to-face time equals or exceeds the threshold
time for code 99356, but is less than the threshold time for code 99357, the physician
should bill the visit and code 99356. A/B MACs (B) do not accept more than one unit of
code 99356. If the total direct face-to-face time equals or exceeds the threshold time for
code 99356 by no more than 29 minutes, the physician bills the visit code 99356 and one
unit of code 99357. One additional unit of code 99357 is billed for each additional
increment of 30 minutes extended duration. A/B MACs (B) use the following threshold
times to determine if the prolonged services codes 99356 and/or 99357 can be billed with
the inpatient setting codes.
Threshold Time for Prolonged Visit Codes 99356 and/or 99357 Billed with Inpatient
Setting Codes
Code
Typical Time for
Code
Threshold Time to Bill
Code 99356
Threshold Time to Bill
Codes 99356 and 99357
99221
30
60
105
99222
50
80
125
99223
70
100
145
99231
15
45
90
99232
25
55
100
Add 30 minutes to the threshold time for billing codes 99356 and 99357 to get the
threshold time for billing code 99356 and two units of 99357.
H. Prolonged Services Associated With Evaluation and Management Services Based
on Counseling and/or Coordination of Care (Time-Based)
When an evaluation and management service is dominated by counseling and/or
coordination of care (the counseling and/or coordination of care represents more than
50% of the total time with the patient) in a face-to-face encounter between the physician
or qualified NPP and the patient in the office/clinic or the floor time (in the scenario of an
inpatient service), then the evaluation and management code is selected based on the
typical/average time associated with the code levels. The time approximation must meet
or exceed the specific CPT code billed (determined by the typical/average time associated
with the evaluation and management code) and should not be “rounded” to the next
higher level.
In those evaluation and management services in which the code level is selected based on
time, prolonged services may only be reported with the highest code level in that family
of codes as the companion code.
I. Examples of Billable Prolonged Services
EXAMPLE 1
A physician performed a visit that met the definition of an office visit code 99213 and the
total duration of the direct face-to-face services (including the visit) was 65 minutes. The
physician bills code 99213 and one unit of code 99354.
EXAMPLE 2
A physician performed a visit that met the definition of a domiciliary, rest home care visit
code 99327 and the total duration of the direct face-to-face contact (including the visit)
was 140 minutes. The physician bills codes 99327, 99354, and one unit of code 99355.
EXAMPLE 3
A physician performed an office visit to an established patient that was predominantly
counseling, spending 75 minutes (direct face-to-face) with the patient. The physician
should report CPT code 99215 and one unit of code 99354.
J. Examples of Nonbillable Prolonged Services
EXAMPLE 1
A physician performed a visit that met the definition of visit code 99212 and the total
duration of the direct face-to-face contact (including the visit) was 35 minutes. The
physician cannot bill prolonged services because the total duration of direct face-to-face
service did not meet the threshold time for billing prolonged services.
EXAMPLE 2
A physician performed a visit that met the definition of code 99213 and, while the patient
was in the office receiving treatment for 4 hours, the total duration of the direct face-to-
face service of the physician was 40 minutes. The physician cannot bill prolonged
services because the total duration of direct face-to-face service did not meet the
threshold time for billing prolonged services.
EXAMPLE 3
A physician provided a subsequent office visit that was predominantly counseling,
spending 60 minutes (face-to-face) with the patient. The physician cannot code 99214,
which has a typical time of 25 minutes, and one unit of code 99354. The physician must
bill the highest level code in the code family (99215 which has 40 minutes
typical/average time units associated with it). The additional time spent beyond this code
is 20 minutes and does not meet the threshold time for billing prolonged services.
30.6.15.2 - Prolonged Services Without Direct Face-to-Face Patient
Contact Service (Codes 99358 - 99359)
(Rev. 3678, Issued: 12-16-16, Effective: 01-01-17, Implementation: 01-03-17)
Until CY 2017, CPT codes 99358 and 99359 were not separately payable and were
bundled (included for payment) under the related face-to-face E/M service code.
Practitioners were not permitted to bill the patient for services described by CPT codes
99358 and 99359 since they are Medicare covered services and payment was included in
the payment for other billable services.
Beginning in CY 2017, CPT codes 99358 and 99359 are separately payable under the
physician fee schedule. The CPT prefatory language and reporting rules for these codes
apply for Medicare billing. For example, CPT codes 99358 and 99359 cannot be
reported during the same service period as complex chronic care management (CCM)
services or transitional care management services. They are not reported for time spent
in non-face-to-face care described by more specific codes having no upper time limit in
the CPT code set. We have posted a file that notes the times assumed to be typical for
purposes of PFS rate-setting. That file is available on our website under downloads for
our annual regulation at http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-
Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices.html. We note that while
these typical times are not required to bill the displayed codes, we would expect that only
time spent in excess of these times would be reported under CPT codes 99358 and 99359.
We note that CPT codes 99358 and 99359 can only be used to report extended qualifying
time of the billing physician or other practitioner (not clinical staff). Prolonged services
cannot be reported in association with a companion E/M code that also qualifies as the
initiating visit for CCM services. Practitioners should instead report the add-on code for
CCM initiation, if applicable.
30.6.15.3 - Physician Standby Service (Code 99360)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
Standby services are not payable to physicians. Physicians may not bill Medicare or
beneficiaries for standby services. Payment for standby services is included in the Part A
payment to the facility. Such services are a part of hospital costs to provide quality care.
If hospitals pay physicians for standby services, such services are part of hospital costs to
provide quality care.
30.6.15.4 - Power Mobility Devices (PMDs) (Code G0372)
(Rev. 748, Issued: 11-04-05; Effective/Implementation Dates: 10-25-05)
Section 302(a)(2)(E)(iv) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) sets forth revised conditions for Medicare payment
of Power Mobility Devices (PMDs). This section of the MMA states that payment for
motorized or power wheelchairs may not be made unless a physician (as defined in
§1861(r)(1) of the Act), a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or a clinical nurse
specialist (as those terms are defined in §1861(aa)(5)) has conducted a face-to-face
examination of the beneficiary and written a prescription for the PMD.
Payment for the history and physical examination will be made through the appropriate
evaluation and management (E&M) code corresponding to the history and physical
examination of the patient. Due to the MMA requirement that the physician or treating
practitioner create a written prescription and a regulatory requirement that the physician
or treating practitioner prepare pertinent parts of the medical record for submission to the
durable medical equipment supplier, code G0372 (physician service required to establish and
document the need for a power mobility device) has been established to recognize additional
physician services and resources required to establish and document the need for the
PMD.
The G code indicates that all of the information necessary to document the PMD
prescription is included in the medical record, and the prescription and supporting
documentation is delivered to the PMD supplier within 30 days after the face-to-face
examination.
Effective October 25, 2005, G0372 will be used to recognize additional physician
services and resources required to establish and document the need for the PMD and will
be added to the Medicare physician fee schedule.
30.6.16 - Case Management Services (Codes 99362 and 99371 - 99373)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15512
A. Team Conferences
Team conferences (codes 99361-99362) may not be paid separately. Payment for these
services is included in the payment for the services to which they relate.
B. Telephone Calls
Telephone calls (codes 99371-99373) may not be paid separately. Payment for telephone
calls is included in payment for billable services (e.g., visit, surgery, diagnostic procedure
results).
40 - Surgeons and Global Surgery
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-4820
A national definition of a global surgical package has been established to ensure that
payment is made consistently for the same services across all A/B MAC (B) jurisdictions,
thus preventing Medicare payments for services that are more or less comprehensive than
intended. The national global surgery policy became effective for surgeries performed on
and after January 1, 1992.
The instructions that follow describe the components of a global surgical package and
payment rules for minor surgeries, endoscopies and global surgical packages that are split
between two or more physicians. In addition, billing, mandatory edits, claims review,
adjudication, and postpayment instructions are included.
In addition to the global policy, uniform payment policies and claims processing
requirements have been established for other surgical issues, including bilateral and
multiple surgeries, co-surgeons, and team surgeries.
40.1 - Definition of a Global Surgical Package
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-4821, B3-15900.2
Field 16 of the Medicare Fee Schedule Data Base (MFSDB) provides the postoperative
periods that apply to each surgical procedure. The payment rules for surgical procedures
apply to codes with entries of 000, 010, 090, and, sometimes, YYY.
Codes with “090” in Field 16 are major surgeries. Codes with “000” or “010” are either
minor surgical procedures or endoscopies.
Codes with “YYY” are A/B MAC (B)-priced codes, for which A/B MACs (B) determine
the global period (the global period for these codes will be 0, 10, or 90 days). Note that
not all A/B MAC (B)-priced codes have a “YYY” global surgical indicator; sometimes
the global period is specified.
While codes with “ZZZ” are surgical codes, they are add-on codes that are always billed
with another service. There is no postoperative work included in the fee schedule
payment for the “ZZZ” codes. Payment is made for both the primary and the add-on
codes, and the global period assigned is applied to the primary code.
A. Components of a Global Surgical Package
B3-15011, B3-4820-4831
A/B MACs (B) apply the national definition of a global surgical package to all
procedures with the appropriate entry in Field 16 of the MFSDB.
The Medicare approved amount for these procedures includes payment for the following
services related to the surgery when furnished by the physician who performs the surgery.
The services included in the global surgical package may be furnished in any setting, e.g.,
in hospitals, ASCs, physicians’ offices. Visits to a patient in an intensive care or critical
care unit are also included if made by the surgeon. However, critical care services
(99291 and 99292) are payable separately in some situations.
• Preoperative Visits - Preoperative visits after the decision is made to operate
beginning with the day before the day of surgery for major procedures and the day
of surgery for minor procedures;
• Intra-operative Services - Intra-operative services that are normally a usual and
necessary part of a surgical procedure;
• Complications Following Surgery - All additional medical or surgical services
required of the surgeon during the postoperative period of the surgery because of
complications which do not require additional trips to the operating room;
• Postoperative Visits - Follow-up visits during the postoperative period of the
surgery that are related to recovery from the surgery;
• Postsurgical Pain Management - By the surgeon;
• Supplies - Except for those identified as exclusions; and
• Miscellaneous Services - Items such as dressing changes; local incisional care;
removal of operative pack; removal of cutaneous sutures and staples, lines, wires,
tubes, drains, casts, and splints; insertion, irrigation and removal of urinary
catheters, routine peripheral intravenous lines, nasogastric and rectal tubes; and
changes and removal of tracheostomy tubes.
B. Services Not Included in the Global Surgical Package
A/B MACs (B) do not include the services listed below in the payment amount for a
procedure with the appropriate indicator in Field 16 of the MFSDB. These services may
be paid for separately.
• The initial consultation or evaluation of the problem by the surgeon to determine
the need for surgery. Please note that this policy only applies to major surgical
procedures. The initial evaluation is always included in the allowance for a minor
surgical procedure;
• Services of other physicians except where the surgeon and the other physician(s)
agree on the transfer of care. This agreement may be in the form of a letter or an
annotation in the discharge summary, hospital record, or ASC record;
• Visits unrelated to the diagnosis for which the surgical procedure is performed,
unless the visits occur due to complications of the surgery;
• Treatment for the underlying condition or an added course of treatment which is
not part of normal recovery from surgery;
• Diagnostic tests and procedures, including diagnostic radiological procedures;
• Clearly distinct surgical procedures during the postoperative period which are not
re-operations or treatment for complications. (A new postoperative period begins
with the subsequent procedure.) This includes procedures done in two or more
parts for which the decision to stage the procedure is made prospectively or at the
time of the first procedure. Examples of this are procedures to diagnose and treat
epilepsy (codes 61533, 61534-61536, 61539, 61541, and 61543) which may be
performed in succession within 90 days of each other;
• Treatment for postoperative complications which requires a return trip to the
operating room (OR). An OR for this purpose is defined as a place of service
specifically equipped and staffed for the sole purpose of performing procedures.
The term includes a cardiac catheterization suite, a laser suite, and an endoscopy
suite. It does not include a patient’s room, a minor treatment room, a recovery
room, or an intensive care unit (unless the patient’s condition was so critical there
would be insufficient time for transportation to an OR);
• If a less extensive procedure fails, and a more extensive procedure is required, the
second procedure is payable separately;
• For certain services performed in a physician’s office, separate payment can no
longer be made for a surgical tray (code A4550). This code is now a Status B and
is no longer a separately payable service on or after January 1, 2002. However,
splints and casting supplies are payable separately under the reasonable charge
payment methodology;
• Immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplants; and
• Critical care services (codes 99291 and 99292) unrelated to the surgery where a
seriously injured or burned patient is critically ill and requires constant attendance
of the physician.
C. Minor Surgeries and Endoscopies
Visits by the same physician on the same day as a minor surgery or endoscopy are
included in the payment for the procedure, unless a significant, separately identifiable
service is also performed. For example, a visit on the same day could be properly billed
in addition to suturing a scalp wound if a full neurological examination is made for a
patient with head trauma. Billing for a visit would not be appropriate if the physician
only identified the need for sutures and confirmed allergy and immunization status.
A postoperative period of 10 days applies to some minor surgeries. The postoperative
period for these procedures is indicated in Field 16 of the MFSDB. If the Field 16 entry
is 010, A/B MACs (B) do not allow separate payment for postoperative visits or services
within 10 days of the surgery that are related to recovery from the procedure. If a
diagnostic biopsy with a 10-day global period precedes a major surgery on the same day
or in the 10-day period, the major surgery is payable separately. Services by other
physicians are not included in the global fee for a minor procedures except as otherwise
excluded. If the Field 16 entry is 000, postoperative visits beyond the day of the
procedure are not included in the payment amount for the surgery. Separate payment is
made in this instance.
D. Physicians Furnishing Less Than the Full Global Package
B3-4820-4831
There are occasions when more than one physician provides services included in the
global surgical package. It may be the case that the physician who performs the surgical
procedure does not furnish the follow-up care. Payment for the postoperative, post-
discharge care is split between two or more physicians where the physicians agree on the
transfer of care.
When more than one physician furnishes services that are included in the global surgical
package, the sum of the amount approved for all physicians may not exceed what would
have been paid if a single physician provides all services (except where stated policies,
e.g., the surgeon performs only the surgery and a physician other than the surgeon
provides preoperative and postoperative inpatient care, result in payment that is higher
than the global allowed amount).
Where a transfer of care does not occur, the services of another physician may either be
paid separately or denied for medical necessity reasons, depending on the circumstances
of the case.
E. Determining the Duration of a Global Period
To determine the global period for major surgeries, A/B MACs (B) count 1 day
immediately before the day of surgery, the day of surgery, and the 90 days immediately
following the day of surgery.
EXAMPLE:
Date of surgery - January 5
Preoperative period - January 4
Last day of postoperative period - April 5
To determine the global period for minor procedures, A/B MACs (B) count the day of
surgery and the appropriate number of days immediately following the date of surgery.
EXAMPLE:
Procedure with 10 follow-up days:
Date of surgery - January 5
Last day of postoperative period - January 15
40.2 - Billing Requirements for Global Surgeries
(Rev. 2997, Issued: 07-25-14, Effective: Upon implementation of ICD-10; 01-01-
2012 - ASC X12, Implementation: 08-25-2014 - ASC X12; Upon Implementation of
ICD-10)
To ensure the proper identification of services that are, or are not, included in the global
package, the following procedures apply.
A. Procedure Codes and Modifiers
Use of the modifiers in this section apply to both major procedures with a 90-day
postoperative period and minor procedures with a 10-day postoperative period (and/or a
zero day postoperative period in the case of modifiers “-22” and “-25”).
1. Physicians Who Furnish the Entire Global Surgical Package
Physicians who perform the surgery and furnish all of the usual pre-and postoperative
work bill for the global package by entering the appropriate CPT code for the surgical
procedure only. Billing is not allowed for visits or other services that are included in the
global package.
2. Physicians in Group Practice
When different physicians in a group practice participate in the care of the patient, the
group bills for the entire global package if the physicians reassign benefits to the group.
The physician who performs the surgery is shown as the performing physician. (For
dates of service prior to January 1, 1994, however, where a new physician furnishes the
entire postoperative care, the group billed for the surgical care and the postoperative care
as separate line items with the appropriate modifiers.)
3. Physicians Who Furnish Part of a Global Surgical Package
Where physicians agree on the transfer of care during the global period, the following
modifiers are used:
• “-54” for surgical care only; or
• “-55” for postoperative management only.
Both the bill for the surgical care only and the bill for the postoperative care only, will
contain the same date of service and the same surgical procedure code, with the services
distinguished by the use of the appropriate modifier.
Providers need not specify on the claim that care has been transferred. However, the date
on which care was relinquished or assumed, as applicable, must be shown on the claim.
This should be indicated in the remarks field/free text segment on the claim form/format.
Both the surgeon and the physician providing the postoperative care must keep a copy of
the written transfer agreement in the beneficiary’s medical record.
Where a transfer of postoperative care occurs, the receiving physician cannot bill for any
part of the global services until he/she has provided at least one service. Once the
physician has seen the patient, that physician may bill for the period beginning with the
date on which he/she assumes care of the patient.
EXCEPTIONS:
• Where a transfer of care does not occur, occasional post-discharge services of a
physician other than the surgeon are reported by the appropriate evaluation and
management code. No modifiers are necessary on the claim.
• If the transfer of care occurs immediately after surgery, the physician other than
the surgeon who provides the in-hospital postoperative care bills using subsequent
hospital care codes for the inpatient hospital care and the surgical code with the “-
55” modifier for the post-discharge care. The surgeon bills the surgery code with
the “-54” modifier.
• Physicians who provide follow-up services for minor procedures performed in
emergency departments bill the appropriate level of office visit code. The
physician who performs the emergency room service bills for the surgical
procedure without a modifier.
• If the services of a physician other than the surgeon are required during a
postoperative period for an underlying condition or medical complication, the
other physician reports the appropriate evaluation and management code. No
modifiers are necessary on the claim. An example is a cardiologist who manages
underlying cardiovascular conditions of a patient.
4. Evaluation and Management Service Resulting in the Initial Decision to Perform
Surgery
Evaluation and management services on the day before major surgery or on the day of
major surgery that result in the initial decision to perform the surgery are not included in
the global surgery payment for the major surgery and, therefore, may be billed and paid
separately.
In addition to the CPT evaluation and management code, modifier “-57” (decision for
surgery) is used to identify a visit which results in the initial decision to perform surgery.
(Modifier “-QI” was used for dates of service prior to January 1, 1994.)
If evaluation and management services occur on the day of surgery, the physician bills
using modifier “-57,” not “-25.” The “-57” modifier is not used with minor surgeries
because the global period for minor surgeries does not include the day prior to the
surgery. Moreover, where the decision to perform the minor procedure is typically done
immediately before the service, it is considered a routine preoperative service and a visit
or consultation is not billed in addition to the procedure.
5. Return Trips to the Operating Room During the Postoperative Period
When treatment for complications requires a return trip to the operating room, physicians
must bill the CPT code that describes the procedure(s) performed during the return trip.
If no such code exists, use the unspecified procedure code in the correct series, i.e., 47999
or 64999. The procedure code for the original surgery is not used except when the
identical procedure is repeated.
In addition to the CPT code, physicians use CPT modifier “-78” for these return trips
(return to the operating room for a related procedure during a postoperative period.)
The physician may also need to indicate that another procedure was performed during the
postoperative period of the initial procedure. When this subsequent procedure is related
to the first procedure and requires the use of the operating room, this circumstance may
be reported by adding the modifier “-78” to the related procedure.
NOTE: The CPT definition for this modifier does not limit its use to treatment for
complications.
6. Staged or Related Procedures
Modifier “-58” was established to facilitate billing of staged or related surgical
procedures done during the postoperative period of the first procedure. This modifier is
not used to report the treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating room.
The physician may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during
the postoperative period was:
a. Planned prospectively or at the time of the original procedure;
b. More extensive than the original procedure; or
c. For therapy following a diagnostic surgical procedure.
These circumstances may be reported by adding modifier “-58” to the staged procedure.
A new postoperative period begins when the next procedure in the series is billed.
7. Unrelated Procedures or Visits During the Postoperative Period
Two CPT modifiers were established to simplify billing for visits and other procedures
which are furnished during the postoperative period of a surgical procedure, but which
are not included in the payment for the surgical procedure.
Modifier “-79”: Reports an unrelated procedure by the same physician during a
postoperative period. The physician may need to indicate that the performance of a
procedure or service during a postoperative period was unrelated to the original
procedure.
A new postoperative period begins when the unrelated procedure is billed.
Modifier “-24”: Reports an unrelated evaluation and management service by same
physician during a postoperative period. The physician may need to indicate that an
evaluation and management service was performed during the postoperative period of an
unrelated procedure. This circumstance is reported by adding the modifier “-24” to the
appropriate level of evaluation and management service.
Services submitted with the “-24” modifier must be sufficiently documented to establish
that the visit was unrelated to the surgery. A diagnosis code that clearly indicates that the
reason for the encounter was unrelated to the surgery is acceptable documentation.
A physician who is responsible for postoperative care and has reported and been paid
using modifier “-55” also uses modifier “-24” to report any unrelated visits.
8. Significant Evaluation and Management on the Day of a Procedure
Modifier “-25” is used to facilitate billing of evaluation and management services on the
day of a procedure for which separate payment may be made.
It is used to report a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management
service by same physician on the day of a procedure. The physician may need to indicate
that on the day a procedure or service that is identified with a CPT code was performed,
the patient’s condition required a significant, separately identifiable evaluation and
management service above and beyond the usual preoperative and postoperative care
associated with the procedure or service that was performed. This circumstance may be
reported by adding the modifier “-25” to the appropriate level of evaluation and
management service.
Claims containing evaluation and management codes with modifier “-25” are not subject
to prepayment review except in the following situations:
• Effective January 1, 1995, all evaluation and management services provided on
the same day as inpatient dialysis are denied without review with the exception of
CPT Codes 99221-9223, 99251-99255, and 99238. These codes may be billed
with modifier “-25” and reviewed for possible allowance if the evaluation and
management service is unrelated to the treatment of ESRD and was not, and could
not, have been provided during the dialysis treatment;
• When preoperative critical care codes are being billed for within a global surgical
period; and
• When A/B MACs (B) have conducted a specific medical review process and
determined, after reviewing the data, that an individual or group have high
statistics in terms of the use of modifier “-25,” have done a case-by-case
review of the records to verify that the use of modifier “-25” was
inappropriate, and have educated the individual or group as to the proper use
of this modifier.
9. Critical Care
Critical care services provided during a global surgical period for a seriously injured
or burned patient are not considered related to a surgical procedure and may be paid
separately under the following circumstances.
Preoperative and postoperative critical care may be paid in addition to a global fee if:
• The patient is critically ill and requires the constant attendance of the
physician; and
• The critical care is above and beyond, and, in most instances, unrelated to the
specific anatomic injury or general surgical procedure performed.
Such patients are potentially unstable or have conditions that could pose a significant
threat to life or risk of prolonged impairment.
Modifier -24 (post-operative) or -25 (same day pre-operative) is used to indicate that
the critical care service is unrelated to the procedure.
10. Unusual Circumstances
Surgeries for which services performed are significantly greater than usually
required may be billed with the “-22” modifier added to the CPT code for the
procedure. Surgeries for which services performed are significantly less than usually
required may be billed with the “-52” modifier. The biller must provide:
• A concise statement about how the service differs from the usual; and
• An operative report with the claim.
Modifier “-22” should only be reported with procedure codes that have a global
period of 0, 10, or 90 days. There is no such restriction on the use of modifier “-52.”
B. Date(s) of Service
Physicians, who bill for the entire global surgical package or for only a portion of the
care, must enter the date on which the surgical procedure was performed in the
“From/To” date of service field. This will enable A/B MACs (B) to relate all appropriate
billings to the correct surgery. Physicians who share postoperative management with
another physician must submit additional information showing when they assumed and
relinquished responsibility for the postoperative care. If the physician who performed the
surgery relinquishes care at the time of discharge, he or she need only show the date of
surgery when billing with modifier “-54.”
However, if the surgeon also cares for the patient for some period following discharge,
the surgeon must show the date of surgery and the date on which postoperative care was
relinquished to another physician. The physician providing the remaining postoperative
care must show the date care was assumed. This information should be shown in Item 19
on the paper Form CMS-1500. See the related implementation guide for where to show
this information on the ASC X12 837 professional claim transaction format.
C. Care Provided in Different Payment Localities
If portions of the global period are provided in different payment localities, the services
should be billed to the A/B MAC (B) servicing each applicable payment locality. For
example, if the surgery is performed in one state and the postoperative care is provided in
another state, the surgery is billed with modifier “-54” to the A/B MAC (B) servicing the
payment locality where the surgery was performed and the postoperative care is billed
with modifier “-55” to the A/B MAC (B) servicing the payment locality where the
postoperative care was performed. This is true whether the services were performed by
the same physician/group or different physicians/groups.
D. Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Payments for Services Which Are
Subject to the Global Surgery Rules
HPSA bonus payments may be made for global surgeries when the services are provided
in HPSAs. The following are guidelines for the appropriate billing procedures:
• If the entire global package is provided in a HPSA, physicians should bill for the
appropriate global surgical code with the applicable HPSA modifier.
• If only a portion of the global package is provided in a HPSA, the physician
should bill using a HPSA modifier for the portion which is provided in the HPSA.
EXAMPLE
The surgical portion of the global service is provided in a non-HPSA and the
postoperative portion is provided in a HPSA. The surgical portion should be billed with
the “-54” modifier and no HPSA modifier. The postoperative portion should be billed
with the “-55” modifier and the appropriate HPSA modifier. The 10 percent bonus will
be paid on the appropriate postoperative portion only. If a claim is submitted with a
global surgical code and a HPSA modifier, the A/B MAC (B) assumes that the entire
global service was provided in a HPSA in the absence of evidence otherwise.
NOTE: The sum of the payments made for the surgical and postoperative services
provided in different localities will not equal the global amount in either of the localities
because of geographic adjustments made through the Geographic Practice Cost Indices.
40.3 - Claims Review for Global Surgeries
(Rev. 2997, Issued: 07-25-14, Effective: Upon implementation of ICD-10; 01-01-
2012 - ASC X12, Implementation: 08-25-2014 - ASC X12; Upon Implementation of
ICD-10)
A. Relationship to Correct Coding Initiative (CCI)
The CCI policy and computer edits allow A/B MACs (B) to detect instances of
fragmented billing for certain intra-operative services and other services furnished on the
same day as the surgery that are considered to be components of the surgical procedure
and, therefore, included in the global surgical fee. When both correct coding and global
surgery edits apply to the same claim, A/B MACs (B) first apply the correct coding edits,
then, apply the global surgery edits to the correctly coded services.
B. Prepayment Edits to Detect Separate Billing of Services Included in the Global
Package
In addition to the correct coding edits, A/B MACs (B) must be capable of detecting
certain other services included in the payment for a major or minor surgery or for an
endoscopy. On a prepayment basis, A/B MACs (B) identify the services that meet the
following conditions:
• Preoperative services that are submitted on the same claim or on a subsequent
claim as a surgical procedure; or
• Same day or postoperative services that are submitted on the same claim or on a
subsequent claim as a surgical procedure or endoscopy;
and -
• Services that were furnished within the prescribed global period of the surgical
procedure;
• Services that are billed without modifier “-78,” “-79,” “-24,” “25,” or “-57” or are
billed with modifier “-24” but without the required documentation; and
• Services that are billed with the same provider or group number as the surgical
procedure or endoscopy. Also, edit for any visits billed separately during the
postoperative period without modifier “-24” by a physician who billed for the
postoperative care only with modifier “-55.”
A/B MACs (B) use the following evaluation and management codes in establishing edits
for visits included in the global package. CPT codes 99241, 99242, 99243, 99244,
99245, 99251, 99252, 99253, 99254, 99255, 99271, 99272, 99273, 99274, and 99275
have been transferred from the excluded category and are now included in the global
surgery edits.
Evaluation and Management Codes for A/B MAC (B) Edits
92012
92014
99211
99212
99213
99214
99215
99217
99218
99219
99220
99221
99222
99223
99231
99232
99233
99234
99235
99236
99238
99239
99241
99242
99243
99244
99245
99251
99252
99253
99254
99255
99261
99262
99263
99271
99272
99273
99274
99275
99291
99292
99301
99302
99303
99311
99312
99313
99315
99316
99331
99332
99333
99347
99348
99349
99350
99374
99375
99377
99378
NOTE: In order for codes 99291 or 99292 to be paid for services furnished during the
preoperative or postoperative period, modifier “-25” or “-24,” respectively, must be used
to indicate that the critical care was unrelated to the specific anatomic injury or general
surgical procedure performed.
If a surgeon is admitting a patient to a nursing facility for a condition not related to the
global surgical procedure, the physician should bill for the nursing facility admission and
care with a “-24” modifier and appropriate documentation. If a surgeon is admitting a
patient to a nursing facility and the patient’s admission to that facility relates to the global
surgical procedure, the nursing facility admission and any services related to the global
surgical procedure are included in the global surgery fee.
C. Exclusions from Prepayment Edits
A/B MACs (B) exclude the following services from the prepayment audit process and
allow separate payment if all usual requirements are met:
Services listed in §40.1.B; and
Services billed with the modifier “-25,” “-57,” “-58,” “-78,” or “-79.”
Exceptions
See §§40.2.A.8, 40.2.A.9, and 40.4.A for instances where prepayment review is required
for modifier “-25.” In addition, prepayment review is necessary for CPT codes 90935,
90937, 90945, and 90947 when a visit and modifier “-25” are billed with these services.
Exclude the following codes from the prepayment edits required in §40.3.B.
92002
92004
99201
99202
99203
99204
99205
99281
99282
99283
99284
99285
99321
99322
99323
99341
99342
99343
99344
99345
40.4 - Adjudication of Claims for Global Surgeries
(Rev. 3721, Issued: 02-24-17, Effective: 05-25-17, Implementation: 05-25-17)
A. Fragmented Billing of Services Included in the Global Package
Since the Medicare fee schedule amount for surgical procedures includes all services that
are part of the global surgery package, A/B MACs (B) do not pay more than that amount
when a bill is fragmented. When total charges for fragmented services exceed the global
fee, process the claim as a fee schedule reduction (except where stated policies, e.g., the
surgeon performs only the surgery and a physician other than the surgeon provides
preoperative and postoperative inpatient care, result in payment that is higher than the
global surgery allowed amount). A/B MACs (B) do not attribute such reductions to
medical review savings except where the usual medical review process results in
recoding of a service, and the recoded service is included in the global surgery package.
The maximum a nonparticipating physician may bill a beneficiary on an unassigned
claim for services included in the global surgery package is the limiting charge for the
surgical procedure.
In addition, the limitation of liability provision (§1879 of the Act) does not apply to these
determinations since they are fee schedule reductions, not denials based upon medical
necessity or custodial care.
Claims for surgeries billed with a “-22” or “-52” modifier, are priced by individual
consideration if the statement and documentation required by §40.2.A.10 are included. If
the statement and documentation are not submitted with the claim, pricing for “-22” is it
the fee schedule rate for the same surgery submitted without the “-22” modifier. Pricing
for “-52” is not done without the required documentation.
Separate payment is allowed for visits and procedures billed with modifier “-78,” “-79,”
“-24,” “-25,” “-57,” or “-58.” Modifier “-24” must be accompanied by sufficient
documentation that the visit is unrelated to the surgery. Also, when used with the critical
care codes, modifiers “-24” and “-25” must be accompanied by documentation that the
critical care was unrelated to the specific anatomic injury or general surgical procedure
performed.
A/B MACs (B) do not allow separate payment for evaluation and management services
furnished on the same day or during the postoperative period of a surgery if the services
are billed without modifier “-24,” “-25,” or “-57.” These services should be denied. A/B
MACs (B) do not allow separate payment for visits during the postoperative period that
are billed with the modifier “-24” but without sufficient documentation. These services
should also be denied. Modifier “-24” is intended for use with services that are
absolutely unrelated to the surgery. It is not to be used for the medical management of a
patient by the surgeon following surgery. Recognize modifier “-24” only for care
following discharge unless:
• The care is for immunotherapy management furnished by the transplant surgeon;
• The care is for critical care for a burn or trauma patient; or
• The documentation demonstrates that the visit occurred during a subsequent
hospitalization and the diagnosis supports the fact that it is unrelated to the
original surgery.
A/B MACs (B) do not allow separate payment for an additional procedure(s) with a
global surgery fee period if furnished during the postoperative period of a prior procedure
and if billed without modifier “-58,” “-78,” or “-79.” These services should be denied.
Codes with the global surgery indicator of “XXX” in the MFSDB can be paid separately
without a modifier.
B. Claims From Physicians Who Furnish Less Than the Global Package (Split
Global Care)
For surgeries performed January 1, 1992, and later, that are billed with either modifier
“-54” or “-55,” A/B MACs (B) pay the appropriate percentage of the fee schedule
payment. Fields 17-19 of the MFSDB list the appropriate percentages for pre-, intra-,
and postoperative care of the total RVUs for major surgical procedures and for minor
surgeries with a postoperative period of 10 days. The intra-operative percentage includes
postoperative hospital visits.
Procedures with a “000” entry in Field 16 have an entry of “0.0000” in Fields 17-19.
Split global care does not apply to these procedures.
A/B MACs (B) multiply the fee schedule amount (Field 34 or Field 35 of the MFSDB)
by this percentage and round to the nearest cent. Assume that a physician who bills with
a “-54” modifier has provided both preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative
hospital services. Pay this physician the combined preoperative and intra-operative
portions of the fee schedule payment amount.
Where more than one physician bills for the postoperative care, A/B MACs (B) apportion
the postoperative percentage according to the number of days each physician was
responsible for the patient’s care by dividing the postoperative allowed amount by the
number of post-op days and that amount is multiplied by the number of days each
physician saw the patient.
EXAMPLE
Dr. Jones bills for procedure “42145-54” performed on March 1 and states that he cared
for the patient through April 29. Dr. Smith bills for procedure “42145-55” and states
that she assumed care of the patient on April 30. The percentage of the total fee amount
for the postoperative care for this procedure is determined to be 17 percent and the length
of the global period is 90 days. Since Dr. Jones provided postoperative care for the first
60 days, he will receive 66 2/3 percent of the total fee of 17 percent since 60/90 = .6666.
Dr. Smith’s 30 days of service entitle her to 30/90 or .3333 of the fee.
6666 x .17 = .11333 or 11.3%; and
3338 x .17 = .057 or 5.7%.
Thus, Dr. Jones will be paid at a rate of 11.3 percent (66.7 percent of 17 percent). Dr.
Smith will be paid at a rate of 5.7 percent (33.3 percent of 17 percent).
C. Payment for Return Trips to the Operating Room for Treatment of
Complications
When a CPT code billed with modifier “-78” describes the services involving a return trip
to the operating room to deal with complications, A/B MACs (B) pay the value of the
intra-operative services of the code that describes the treatment of the complications.
Refer to Field 18 of the MFSDB to determine the percentage of the global package for
the intra-operative services. The fee schedule amount (Field 34 or 35 of the MFSDB) is
multiplied by this percentage and rounded to the nearest cent.
When a procedure with a “000” global period is billed with a modifier “-78,”
representing a return trip to the operating room to deal with complications, A/B MACs
(B) pay the full value for the procedure, since these codes have no pre-, post-, or intra-
operative values.
When an unlisted procedure is billed because no code exists to describe the treatment for
complications, A/B MACs (B) base payment on a maximum of 50 percent of the value of
the intra-operative services originally performed. If multiple surgeries were originally
performed, A/B MACs (B) base payment on no more than 50 percent of the value of the
intra-operative services of the surgery for which the complications occurred. They
multiply the fee schedule amount for the original surgery (Field 34 or 35) by the intra-
operative percentage for the procedure (Field 18), and then multiply that figure by 50
percent to obtain the maximum payment amount.
[.50 X (fee schedule amount x intra-operative percentage)]. Round to the nearest
cent.
If additional procedures are performed during the same operative session as the original
surgery to treat complications which occurred during the original surgery, A/B MACs (B)
pay the additional procedures as multiple surgeries. Only surgeries that require a return
to the operating room are paid under the complications rules.
If the patient is returned to the operating room after the initial operative session, but on
the same day as the original surgery for one or more additional procedures as a result of
complications from the original surgery, the complications rules apply to each procedure
required to treat the complications from the original surgery. The multiple surgery rules
would not also apply.
If the patient is returned to the operating room during the postoperative period of the
original surgery, not on the same day of the original surgery, for multiple procedures that
are required as a result of complications from the original surgery, the complications
rules would apply. The multiple surgery rules would also not apply.
If the patient is returned to the operating room during the postoperative period of the
original surgery, not on the same day of the original surgery, for bilateral procedures that
are required as a result of complications from the original surgery, the complication rules
would apply. The bilateral rules would not apply.
D. MSN and Remittance Messages
When A/B MACs (B) deny separate payment for a visit because it is included in the
global package, include one of the following statements on the MSN to the beneficiary
and the remittance notice sent to the physician.
1. Messages for Fragmented Billing by a Single Physician
When a single physician bills separately for services included in the global surgical
package which has already been billed:
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 4.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 97
RARC: N/A
MSN: 23.1
When a single physician bills separately for services included in the global surgical
package which has not yet been billed/adjudicated:
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: B15
RARC: N/A
MSN: 23.1
2. Messages for Global Packages Split Between Two or More Physicians
When a physician furnishes only the pre- and intra-operative services, but bills for the
entire package:
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: B20
RARC: N/A
MSN: 23.5
3. Message for Procedure Codes With “ZZZ” Global Period Billed as Stand-Alone
Procedures
When a physician bills for a surgery with a “ZZZ” global period without billing for
another service:
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 4.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 234
RARC: N390
MSN: 9.2, 9.3
4. Message for Payment Amount When Modifier “-22” Is Submitted Without
Documentation
When a physician submits a claim with modifier “-22” but does not provide additional
documentation:
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 1.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 252
RARC: N706
MSN: 9.7
40.5 - Postpayment Issues
(Rev. 3721, Issued: 02-24-17, Effective: 05-25-17, Implementation: 05-25-17)
It may not always be possible to identify instances where more than one physician
furnishes postoperative care before the carrier has paid at least one of the physicians. In
addition, situations where a physician renders less than the full global package but does
not add the applicable modifier to the procedure code are not detectable until another
physician submits a claim.
Several other categories of fragmented bills cannot be or are difficult to detect on a
prepayment basis. When a new claim reveals fragmented billing by a single provider
after payment for some services was already made to that physician, carriers must adjust
the amount due on the new claim by the amount previously paid.
When a new claim indicates that an incorrect payment may have been made to another
physician who submitted a previous bill, carriers must determine which bill is correct.
(Review the claims and any submitted records to be sure that the providers correctly used
modifiers and are billing for services that are included in the global fee. If necessary, a
carrier representative must contact one or both physicians to determine which claim is
correct.) If the carrier determines that the first claim is incorrect, they follow the
overpayment procedures in the Medicare Financial Management Manual, Chapter 3, for
recovery of the incorrect payment from the first physician. They pay the second
physician according to the services performed. If the carrier determines that the second
claim is incorrect, they deny payment.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: B20
RARC: N/A
MSN: 7.3
Carriers must include the appropriate language regarding beneficiary liability according
to §40.4.D, above.
Nonparticipating physicians who furnish less than the full global package, but who bill
for the entire global surgery, may be guilty of violating their charge limits. In addition,
physicians who engage in such practices may be guilty of fraud. See the Medicare
Financial Management Manual, Chapter 3, and the Medicare Program Integrity Manual,
Chapter 3, for further information on recovery of overpayments, charge limit monitoring,
and fraud.
40.6 - Claims for Multiple Surgeries
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-4826, B3-15038, B3-15056
A. General
Multiple surgeries are separate procedures performed by a single physician or physicians
in the same group practice on the same patient at the same operative session or on the
same day for which separate payment may be allowed. Co-surgeons, surgical teams, or
assistants-at-surgery may participate in performing multiple surgeries on the same patient
on the same day.
Multiple surgeries are distinguished from procedures that are components of or incidental
to a primary procedure. These intra-operative services, incidental surgeries, or
components of more major surgeries are not separately billable. See Chapter 23 for a
description of mandatory edits to prevent separate payment for those procedures. Major
surgical procedures are determined based on the MFSDB approved amount and not on
the submitted amount from the providers. The major surgery, as based on the MFSDB,
may or may not be the one with the larger submitted amount.
Also, see subsection D below for a description of the standard payment policy on
multiple surgeries. However, these standard payment rules are not appropriate for certain
procedures. Field 21 of the MFSDB indicates whether the standard payment policy rules
apply to a multiple surgery, or whether special payment rules apply. Site of service
payment adjustments (codes with an indicator of “1” in Field 27 of the MFSDB) should
be applied before multiple surgery payment adjustments.
B. Billing Instructions
The following procedures apply when billing for multiple surgeries by the same
physician on the same day.
• Report the more major surgical procedure without the multiple procedures
modifier “-51.”
• Report additional surgical procedures performed by the surgeon on the same day
with modifier “-51.”
There may be instances in which two or more physicians each perform distinctly
different, unrelated surgeries on the same patient on the same day (e.g., in some multiple
trauma cases). When this occurs, the payment adjustment rules for multiple surgeries
may not be appropriate. In such cases, the physician does not use modifier “-51” unless
one of the surgeons individually performs multiple surgeries.
C. A/B MAC (B) Claims Processing System Requirements
A/B MACs (B) must be able to:
1. Identify multiple surgeries by both of the following methods:
• The presence on the claim form or electronic submission of the “-51”
modifier; and
• The billing of more than one separately payable surgical procedure by the
same physician performed on the same patient on the same day, whether
on different lines or with a number greater than 1 in the units column on
the claim form or inappropriately billed with modifier “-78” (i.e., after the
global period has expired);
2. Access Field 34 of the MFSDB to determine the Medicare fee schedule payment
amount for each surgery;
3. Access Field 21 for each procedure of the MFSDB to determine if the payment
rules for multiple surgeries apply to any of the multiple surgeries billed on the
same day;
4. If Field 21 for any of the multiple procedures contains an indicator of “0,” the
multiple surgery rules do not apply to that procedure. Base payment on the lower
of the billed amount or the fee schedule amount (Field 34 or 35) for each code
unless other payment adjustment rules apply;
5. For dates of service prior to January 1, 1995, if Field 21 contains an indicator of
“1,” the standard rules for pricing multiple surgeries apply (see items 6-8 below);
6. Rank the surgeries subject to the standard multiple surgery rules (indicator “1”) in
descending order by the Medicare fee schedule amount;
7. Base payment for each ranked procedure on the lower of the billed amount, or:
• 100 percent of the fee schedule amount (Field 34 or 35) for the highest
valued procedure;
• 50 percent of the fee schedule amount for the second highest valued
procedure; and
• 25 percent of the fee schedule amount for the third through the fifth
highest valued procedures;
8. If more than five procedures are billed, pay for the first five according to the rules
listed in 5, 6, and 7 above and suspend the sixth and subsequent procedures for
manual review and payment, if appropriate, “by report.” Payment determined on
a “by report” basis for these codes should never be lower than 25 percent of the
full payment amount;
9. For dates of service on or after January 1, 1995, new standard rules for pricing
multiple surgeries apply. If Field 21 contains an indicator of “2,” these new
standard rules apply (see items 10-12 below);
10. Rank the surgeries subject to the multiple surgery rules (indicator “2”) in
descending order by the Medicare fee schedule amount;
11. Base payment for each ranked procedure (indicator “2”) on the lower of the billed
amount:
• 100 percent of the fee schedule amount (Field 34 or 35) for the highest
valued procedure; and
• 50 percent of the fee schedule amount for the second through the fifth
highest valued procedures; or
12. If more than five procedures with an indicator of “2” are billed, pay for the first
five according to the rules listed in 9, 10, and 11 above and suspend the sixth and
subsequent procedures for manual review and payment, if appropriate, “by
report.” Payment determined on a “by report” basis for these codes should never
be lower than 50 percent of the full payment amount. Pay by the unit for services
that are already reduced (e.g., 17003). Pay for 17340 only once per session,
regardless of how many lesions were destroyed;
NOTE: For dates of service prior to January 1, 1995, the multiple surgery
indicator of “2” indicated that special dermatology rules applied. The payment
rules for these codes have not changed. The rules were expanded, however, to all
codes that previously had a multiple surgery indicator of “1.” For dates of service
prior to January 1, 1995, if a dermatological procedure with an indicator of “2”
was billed with the “-51” modifier with other procedures that are not
dermatological procedures (procedures with an indicator of “1” in Field 21), the
standard multiple surgery rules applied. Pay no less than 50 percent for the
dermatological procedures with an indicator of “2.” See §§40.6.C.6-8 above for
required actions.
13. If Field 21 contains an indicator of “3,” and multiple endoscopies are billed, the
special rules for multiple endoscopic procedures apply. Pay the full value of the
highest valued endoscopy, plus the difference between the next highest and the
base endoscopy. Access Field 31A of the MFSDB to determine the base
endoscopy.
EXAMPLE
In the course of performing a fiber optic colonoscopy (CPT code 45378), a physician
performs a biopsy on a lesion (code 45380) and removes a polyp (code 45385) from a
different part of the colon. The physician bills for codes 45380 and 45385. The value of
codes 45380 and 45385 have the value of the diagnostic colonoscopy (45378) built in.
Rather than paying 100 percent for the highest valued procedure (45385) and 50 percent
for the next (45380), pay the full value of the higher valued endoscopy (45385), plus the
difference between the next highest endoscopy (45380) and the base endoscopy (45378).
A/B MACs (B) assume the following fee schedule amounts for these codes:
45378 - $255.40
45380 - $285.98
45385 - $374.56
Pay the full value of 45385 ($374.56), plus the difference between 45380 and 45378
($30.58), for a total of $405.14.
NOTE: If an endoscopic procedure with an indicator of “3” is billed with the “-51”
modifier with other procedures that are not endoscopies (procedures with an indicator of
“1” in Field 21), the standard multiple surgery rules apply. See §§40.6.C.6-8 above for
required actions.
14. Apply the following rules where endoscopies are performed on the same day as
unrelated endoscopies or other surgical procedures:
• Two unrelated endoscopies (e.g., 46606 and 43217): Apply the usual
multiple surgery rules;
• Two sets of unrelated endoscopies (e.g., 43202 and 43217; 46606 and
46608): Apply the special endoscopy rules to each series and then apply
the multiple surgery rules. Consider the total payment for each set of
endoscopies as one service;
• Two related endoscopies and a third, unrelated procedure: Apply the
special endoscopic rules to the related endoscopies, and, then apply the
multiple surgery rules. Consider the total payment for the related
endoscopies as one service and the unrelated endoscopy as another
service.
15. If two or more multiple surgeries are of equal value, rank them in descending
dollar order billed and base payment on the percentages listed above (i.e., 100
percent for the first billed procedure, 50 percent for the second, etc.);
16. If any of the multiple surgeries are bilateral surgeries, consider the bilateral
procedure at 150 percent as one payment amount, rank this with the remaining
procedures, and apply the appropriate multiple surgery reductions. See §40.7 for
bilateral surgery payment instructions.);
17. Round all adjusted payment amounts to the nearest cent;
18. If some of the surgeries are subject to special rules while others are subject to the
standard rules, automate pricing to the extent possible. If necessary, price
manually;
19. In cases of multiple interventional radiological procedures, both the radiology
code and the primary surgical code are paid at 100 percent of the fee schedule
amount. The subsequent surgical procedures are paid at the standard multiple
surgical percentages (50 percent, 50 percent, 50 percent and 50 percent);
20. Apply the requirements in §§40 on global surgeries to multiple surgeries;
21. Retain the “-51” modifier in history for any multiple surgeries paid at less than the
full global amount; and
22. Follow the instructions on adjudicating surgery claims submitted with the “-22”
modifier. Review documentation to determine if full payment should be made for
those distinctly different, unrelated surgeries performed by different physicians on
the same day.
D. Ranking of Same Day Multiple Surgeries When One Surgery Has a “-22”
Modifier and Additional Payment is Allowed
B3-4826
If the patient returns to the operating room after the initial operative session on the same
day as a result of complications from the original surgery, the complications rules apply
to each procedure required to treat the complications from the original surgery. The
multiple surgery rules would not apply.
However, if the patient is returned to the operating room during the postoperative period
of the original surgery, not on the same day of the original surgery, for multiple
procedures that are required as a result of complications from the original surgery, the
complications rules would apply. The multiple surgery rules would also not apply.
Multiple surgeries are defined as separate procedures performed by a single physician or
physicians in the same group practice on the same patient at the same operative session or
on the same day for which separate payment may be allowed. Co-surgeons, surgical
teams, or assistants-at-surgery may participate in performing multiple surgeries on the
same patient on the same day.
Multiple surgeries are distinguished from procedures that are components of or incidental
to a primary procedure. These intra-operative services, incidental surgeries, or
components of more major surgeries are not separately billable. See Chapter 23 for a
description of mandatory edits to prevent separate payment for those procedures.
40.7 - Claims for Bilateral Surgeries
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-4827, B3-15040
A. General
Bilateral surgeries are procedures performed on both sides of the body during the same
operative session or on the same day.
The terminology for some procedure codes includes the terms “bilateral” (e.g., code
27395; Lengthening of the hamstring tendon; multiple, bilateral.) or “unilateral or
bilateral” (e.g., code 52290; cystourethroscopy; with ureteral meatotomy, unilateral or
bilateral). The payment adjustment rules for bilateral surgeries do not apply to
procedures identified by CPT as “bilateral” or “unilateral or bilateral” since the fee
schedule reflects any additional work required for bilateral surgeries.
Field 22 of the MFSDB indicates whether the payment adjustment rules apply to a
surgical procedure.
B. Billing Instructions for Bilateral Surgeries
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.” They report such
procedures as a single line item. (NOTE: This differs from the CPT coding guidelines
which indicate that bilateral procedures should be billed as two line items.)
If a procedure is identified by the terminology as bilateral (or unilateral or bilateral), as in
codes 27395 and 52290, physicians do not report the procedure with modifier “-50.”
C. Claims Processing System Requirements
A/B MACs (B) must be able to:
1. Identify bilateral surgeries by the presence on the claim form or electronic
submission of the “-50” modifier or of the same code on separate lines reported
once with modifier “-LT” and once with modifier “-RT”;
2. Access Field 34 or 35 of the MFSDB to determine the Medicare payment amount;
3. Access Field 22 of the MFSDB:
• If Field 22 contains an indicator of “0,” “2,” or “3,” the payment
adjustment rules for bilateral surgeries do not apply. Base payment on the
lower of the billed amount or 100 percent of the fee schedule amount
(Field 34 or 35) unless other payment adjustment rules apply.
NOTE: Some codes which have a bilateral indicator of “0” in the
MFSDB may be performed more than once on a given day. These are
services that would never be considered bilateral and thus should not be
billed with modifier “-50.” Where such a code is billed on multiple line
items or with more than 1 in the units field and A/B MACs (B) have
determined that the code may be reported more than once, bypass the “0”
bilateral indicator and refer to the multiple surgery field for pricing;
• If Field 22 contains an indicator of “1,” the standard adjustment rules
apply. Base payment on the lower of the billed amount or 150 percent of
the fee schedule amount (Field 34 or 35). (Multiply the payment amount
in Field 34 or 35 for the surgery by 150 percent and round to the nearest
cent.)
4. Apply the requirements §§40 - 40.4 on global surgeries to bilateral surgeries; and
5. Retain the “-50” modifier in history for any bilateral surgeries paid at the adjusted
amount.
(NOTE: The “-50” modifier is not retained for surgeries which are bilateral by
definition such as code 27395.)
40.8. - Claims for Co-Surgeons and Team Surgeons
(Rev. 3721, Issued: 02-24-17, Effective: 05-25-17, Implementation: 05-25-17)
A. General
Under some circumstances, the individual skills of two or more surgeons are required to
perform surgery on the same patient during the same operative session. This may be
required because of the complex nature of the procedure(s) and/or the patient’s condition.
In these cases, the additional physicians are not acting as assistants-at-surgery.
B. Billing Instructions
The following billing procedures apply when billing for a surgical procedure or
procedures that required the use of two surgeons or a team of surgeons:
• If two surgeons (each in a different specialty) are required to perform a specific
procedure, each surgeon bills for the procedure with a modifier “-62.” Co-surgery
also refers to surgical procedures involving two surgeons performing the parts of
the procedure simultaneously, i.e., heart transplant or bilateral knee replacements.
Documentation of the medical necessity for two surgeons is required for certain
services identified in the MFSDB. (See §40.8.C.5.);
• If a team of surgeons (more than 2 surgeons of different specialties) is required to
perform a specific procedure, each surgeon bills for the procedure with a modifier
“-66.” Field 25 of the MFSDB identifies certain services submitted with a “-66”
modifier which must be sufficiently documented to establish that a team was
medically necessary. All claims for team surgeons must contain sufficient
information to allow pricing “by report.”
• If surgeons of different specialties are each performing a different procedure (with
specific CPT codes), neither co-surgery nor multiple surgery rules apply (even if
the procedures are performed through the same incision). If one of the surgeons
performs multiple procedures, the multiple procedure rules apply to that surgeon’s
services. (See §40.6 for multiple surgery payment rules.)
For co-surgeons (modifier 62), the fee schedule amount applicable to the payment for
each co-surgeon is 62.5 percent of the global surgery fee schedule amount. Team
surgery (modifier 66) is paid for on a “By Report” basis.
C. Claims Processing System Requirements
Carriers must be able to:
1. Identify a surgical procedure performed by two surgeons or a team of surgeons by
the presence on the claim form or electronic submission of the “-62” or “-66”
modifier;
2. Access Field 34 or 35 of the MFSDB to determine the fee schedule payment
amount for the surgery;
3. Access Field 24 or 25, as appropriate, of the MFSDB. These fields provide
guidance on whether two or team surgeons are generally required for the surgical
procedure;
4. If the surgery is billed with a “-62” or “-66” modifier and Field 24 or 25 contains
an indicator of “0,” payment adjustment rules for two or team surgeons do not
apply:
• Carriers pay the first bill submitted, and base payment on the lower of the
billed amount or 100 percent of the fee schedule amount (Field 34 or 35)
unless other payment adjustment rules apply;
• Carriers deny bills received subsequently from other physicians and use
the appropriate MSN message in §§40.8.D. As these are medical
necessity denials, the instructions in the Program Integrity Manual
regarding denial of unassigned claims for medical necessity are applied;
5. If the surgery is billed with a “-62” modifier and Field 24 contains an indicator of
“1,” suspend the claim for manual review of any documentation submitted with
the claim. If the documentation supports the need for co-surgeons, base payment
for each physician on the lower of the billed amount or 62.5 percent of the fee
schedule amount (Field 34 or 35);
6. If the surgery is billed with a “-62” modifier and Field 24 contains an indicator of
“2,” payment rules for two surgeons apply. Carriers base payment for each
physician on the lower of the billed amount or 62.5 percent of the fee schedule
amount (Field 34 or 35);
7. If the surgery is billed with a “-66” modifier and Field 25 contains an indicator of
“1,” carriers suspend the claim for manual review. If carriers determine that team
surgeons were medically necessary, each physician is paid on a “by report” basis;
8. If the surgery is billed with a “-66” modifier and Field 25 contains an indicator of
“2,” carriers pay “by report”;
NOTE: A Medicare fee may have been established for some surgical procedures
that are billed with the “-66” modifier. In these cases, all physicians on the team
must agree on the percentage of the Medicare payment amount each is to receive.
If carriers receive a bill with a “-66” modifier after carriers have paid one surgeon
the full Medicare payment amount (on a bill without the modifier), deny the
subsequent claim.
9. Apply the rules global surgical packages to each of the physicians participating in
a co- or team surgery; and
10. Retain the “-62” and “-66” modifiers in history for any co- or team surgeries.
D. Beneficiary Liability on Denied Claims for Assistant, Co- surgeon and Team
Surgeons
When the procedure is subject to the statutory restriction against payment for assistants-
at-surgery, such payment shall be denied.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 54
RARC: N/A
MSN: 15.11
Carriers include the following statement in the MSN:
"You cannot be charged for this service.” (Unnumbered add-on message.)
If Field 23 of the MFSDB contains an indicator of “0” or “1” (assistant-at-surgery may
not be paid) for procedures CMS has determined that an assistant surgeon is not generally
medically necessary.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 54
RARC: N/A
MSN: 15.12
For those procedures with an indicator of “0,” the limitation on liability provisions
described in Chapter 30 apply to assigned claims. Therefore, carriers include the
appropriate limitation of liability language from Chapter 21. For unassigned claims,
apply the rules in the Program Integrity Manual concerning denial for medical necessity.
Where payment may not be made for a co- or team surgeon, deny the claim
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 54
RARC: N/A
MSN: 15.13
Where payment may not be made for a two surgeons, deny the claim.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 54
RARC: N/A
MSN: 15.12
Also see limitation of liability remittance notice Remittance Advice Remark Code
Alert M27 and use when appropriate.
40.9 - Procedures Billed With Two or More Surgical Modifiers
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-4829
A/B MACs (B) may receive claims for surgical procedures with more than one surgical
modifier. For example, since the global fee concept applies to all major surgeries, A/B
MACs (B) may receive a claim for surgical care only (modifier “-54”) for a bilateral
surgery (modifier “-50”). They may also receive a claim for multiple surgeries requiring
the use of an assistant surgeon.
Following is a list of possible combinations of surgical modifiers.
(NOTE: A/B MACs (B) must price all claims for surgical teams “by report.”)
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”) and multiple surgery (“-51”).
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”) and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”) and postoperative care only ("55”).
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”) and two surgeons (“-62”).
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”) and surgical team (“-66”).
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”) and assistant surgeon (“-80”).
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”), two surgeons (“-62”), and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Bilateral surgery (“-50”), team surgery (“-66”), and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Multiple surgery (“-51”) and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Multiple surgery (“-51”) and postoperative care only ("55”).
• Multiple surgery (“-51”) and two surgeons (“-62”).
• Multiple surgery (“-51”) and surgical team (“-66”).
• Multiple surgery (“-51”) and assistant surgeon (“-80”).
• Multiple surgery (“-51”), two surgeons (“-62”), and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Multiple surgery (“-51”), team surgery (“-66”), and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Two surgeons (“-62”) and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Two surgeons (“-62”) and postoperative care only (“55”).
• Surgical team (“-66”) and surgical care only (“-54”).
• Surgical team (“-66”) and postoperative care only (“55”).
Payment is not generally allowed for an assistant surgeon when payment for either two
surgeons (modifier “-62”) or team surgeons (modifier “-66”) is appropriate. If A/B
MACs (B) receive a bill for an assistant surgeon following payment for co-surgeons or
team surgeons, they pay for the assistant only if a review of the claim verifies medical
necessity.
50 - Payment for Anesthesiology Services
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
A. General Payment Rule
The fee schedule amount for physician anesthesia services furnished is, with the
exceptions noted, based on allowable base and time units multiplied by an anesthesia
conversion factor specific to that locality. The base unit for each anesthesia procedure is
communicated to the A/B MACs by means of the HCPCS file released annually. CMS
releases the conversion factor annually. The base units and conversion factor are
available on the CMS website at: https://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-
Type/Anesthesiologists-Center.html.
B. Payment at Personally Performed Rate
The A/B MAC must determine the fee schedule payment, recognizing the base unit for
the anesthesia code and one time unit per 15 minutes of anesthesia time if:
• The physician personally performed the entire anesthesia service alone;
• The physician is involved with one anesthesia case with a resident, the physician is a
teaching physician as defined in §100;
• The physician is involved in the training of physician residents in a single anesthesia
case, two concurrent anesthesia cases involving residents or a single anesthesia case
involving a resident that is concurrent to another case that meets the requirements for
payment at the medically directed rate. The physician meets the teaching physician
criteria in §100.1.4;
• The physician is continuously involved in a single case involving a student nurse
anesthetist;
• If the physician is involved with a single case with a qualified nonphysician anesthetist (a
certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or an anesthesiologist’s assistant)), A/B
MACs may pay the physician service and the qualified nonphysician anesthetist service in
accordance with the requirements for payment at the medically directed rate;
Or
• The physician and the CRNA (or anesthesiologist’s assistant) are involved in one
anesthesia case and the services of each are found to be medically necessary.
Documentation must be submitted by both the CRNA and the physician to support
payment of the full fee for each of the two providers. The physician reports the AA
modifier and the CRNA reports the QZ modifier.
C. Payment at the Medically Directed Rate
The A/B MAC determines payment at the medically directed rate for the physician on
the basis of 50 percent of the allowance for the service performed by the physician alone.
Payment will be made at the medically directed rate if the physician medically directs
qualified individuals (all of whom could be CRNAs, anesthesiologists’ assistants, interns,
residents, or combinations of these individuals) in two, three, or four concurrent cases
and the physician performs the following activities.
• Performs a pre-anesthetic examination and evaluation;
• Prescribes the anesthesia plan;
• Personally participates in the most demanding procedures in the anesthesia plan,
including, if applicable, induction and emergence;
• Ensures that any procedures in the anesthesia plan that he or she does not perform are
performed by a qualified individual;
• Monitors the course of anesthesia administration at frequent intervals;
• Remains physically present and available for immediate diagnosis and treatment of
emergencies; and
• Provides indicated post-anesthesia care.
The physician must document in the medical record that he or she performed the pre-
anesthetic examination and evaluation. Physicians must also document that they
provided indicated post-anesthesia care, were present during some portion of the
anesthesia monitoring, and were present during the most demanding procedures in the
anesthesia plan, including induction and emergence, where indicated.
NOTE: Concurrency refers to to the maximum number of procedures that the physician
is medically directing within the context of a single procedure and whether these other
procedures overlap each other. Concurrency is not dependent on each of the cases
involving a Medicare patient. For example, if an anesthesiologist medically directs three
concurrent procedures, two of which involve non-Medicare patients and the remaining a
Medicare patient, this represents three concurrent cases.
The requirements for payment at the medically directed rate also apply to cases involving
student nurse anesthetists if the physician medically directs two concurrent cases, with
each of the two cases involving a student nurse anesthetist, or the physician directs one
case involving a student nurse anesthetist and another involving a qualified individual
(for example: CRNA, anesthesiologist’s assistant, intern or resident).
The requirements for payment at the medically directed rate do not apply to a single
resident case that is concurrent to another anesthesia case paid at the medically directed
rate or to two concurrent anesthesia cases involving residents.
If anesthesiologists are in a group practice, one physician member may provide the pre-
anesthesia examination and evaluation while another fulfills the other criteria. Similarly,
one physician member of the group may provide post-anesthesia care while another
member of the group furnishes the other component parts of the anesthesia service.
However, the medical record must indicate that the services were furnished by physicians
and identify the physicians who furnished them.
A physician who is concurrently furnishing services that meet the requirements for
payment at the medically directed rate cannot ordinarily be involved in furnishing
additional services to other patients. However, addressing an emergency of short duration
in the immediate area, administering an epidural or caudal anesthetic to ease labor pain,
periodic (rather than continuous) monitoring of an obstetrical patient, receiving patients
entering the operating suite for the next surgery, checking or discharging patients in the
recovery room, or handling scheduling matters, do not substantially diminish the scope
of control exercised by the physician and do not constitute a separate service for the
purpose of determining whether the requirements for payment at the medically directed
rate are met.
However, if the physician leaves the immediate area of the operating suite for other than
short durations or devotes extensive time to an emergency case or is otherwise not
available to respond to the immediate needs of the surgical patients, the physician’s
services to the surgical patients would not meet the requirements for payment at the
medically directed rate. A/B MACs may not make payment under the fee schedule.
D. Payment at Medically Supervised Rate
The A/B MAC may allow only three base units per procedure when the anesthesiologist
is involved in furnishing more than four procedures concurrently or is performing other
services while directing the concurrent procedures. An additional time unit may be
recognized if the physician can document he or she was present at induction.
E. Billing and Payment for Multiple Anesthesia Procedures
Physicians bill for the anesthesia services associated with multiple bilateral surgeries by
reporting the anesthesia procedure with the highest base unit value with the multiple
procedure modifier -51. They report the total time for all procedures in the line item with
the highest base unit value.
If the same anesthesia CPT code applies to two or more of the surgical procedures, billers
enter the anesthesia code with the -51 modifier and the number of surgeries to which the
modified CPT code applies.
Payment can be made under the fee schedule for anesthesia services associated with
multiple surgical procedures or multiple bilateral procedures. Payment is determined
based on the base unit of the anesthesia procedure with the highest base unit value and
time units based on the actual anesthesia time of the multiple procedures. See
§§40.6-40.7 for billing and claims processing instructions for multiple and bilateral
surgeries.
F. Payment for Medical and Surgical Services Furnished in Addition to Anesthesia
Procedure
Payment may be made under the fee schedule for specific medical and surgical services
furnished by the anesthesiologist as long as these services are reasonable and medically
necessary or provided that other rebundling provisions (see §30 and Chapter 23) do not
preclude separate payment. These services may be furnished in conjunction with the
anesthesia procedure to the patient or may be furnished as single services, e.g., during the
day of or the day before the anesthesia service. These services include the insertion of a
Swan Ganz catheter, the insertion of central venous pressure lines, emergency intubation,
and critical care visits.
G. Anesthesia Time and Calculation of Anesthesia Time Units
Anesthesia time is defined as the period during which an anesthesia practitioner is present
with the patient. It starts when the anesthesia practitioner begins to prepare the patient for
anesthesia services in the operating room or an equivalent area and ends when the
anesthesia practitioner is no longer furnishing anesthesia services to the patient, that is,
when the patient may be placed safely under postoperative care. Anesthesia time is a
continuous time period from the start of anesthesia to the end of an anesthesia service. In
counting anesthesia time for services furnished, the anesthesia practitioner can add blocks
of time around an interruption in anesthesia time as long as the anesthesia practitioner is
furnishing continuous anesthesia care within the time periods around the interruption.
Actual anesthesia time in minutes is reported on the claim. For anesthesia services
furnished, the A/B MAC computes time units by dividing reported anesthesia time by 15
minutes. Round the time unit to one decimal place. The A/B MAC does not recognize
time units for CPT code 01996 (daily hospital management of epidural or subarachnoid
continuous drug administration).
For purposes of this section, anesthesia practitioner means:
• a physician who performs the anesthesia service alone,
• a CRNA who is furnishing services that do not meet the requirements for payment at the
medically directed rate,
• a qualified nonphysician anesthetist who is furnishing services that meet the
requirements for payment at the medically directed rate.
The physician who medically directs the qualified nonphysician anesthetist would
ordinarily report the same time as the qualified nonphysician anesthetist reports for the
service.
H. Monitored Anesthesia Care
Monitored anesthesia care involves the intra-operative monitoring by a physician or
qualified individual under the medical direction of a physician or of the patient’s vital
physiological signs in anticipation of the need for administration of general anesthesia or
of the development of adverse physiological patient reaction to the surgical procedure. It
also includes the performance of a pre-anesthetic examination and evaluation,
prescription of the anesthesia care required, administration of any necessary oral or
parenteral medications (e.g., atropine, demerol, valium) and provision of indicated
postoperative anesthesia care.
The A/B MAC pays for reasonable and medically necessary monitored anesthesia care
services on the same basis as other anesthesia services. If the physician personally
performs the monitored anesthesia care case, payment is made under the fee schedule
using the payment rules for payment at the personally performed rate. If the physician
medically directs four or fewer concurrent cases and monitored anesthesia care represents
one or more of these concurrent cases, payment is made under the fee schedule using the
payment rules for payment at the medically directed rate. Anesthesiologists use the QS
modifier to report monitored anesthesia care cases, in addition to reporting the actual
anesthesia time and one of the payment modifiers on the claim.
I. Anesthesia Claims Modifiers
Physicians report the appropriate modifier to denote whether the service meets the
requirements for payment at the personally performed rate, medically directed rate, or
medically supervised rate.
AA - Anesthesia Services performed personally by the anesthesiologist
AD - Medical Supervision by a physician; more than 4 concurrent anesthesia procedures
G8 - Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for deep complex, complicated, or markedly invasive
surgical procedures
G9 - Monitored anesthesia care for patient who has a history of severe cardio- pulmonary
condition
QK - Medical direction of two, three or four concurrent anesthesia procedures involving
qualified individuals
QS - Monitored anesthesia care service
NOTE: The QS modifier can be used by a physician or a qualified nonphysician
anesthetist and is for informational purposes. Providers must report actual anesthesia
time and one of the payment modifiers on the claim.
QY - Medical direction of one qualified nonphysician anesthetist by an anesthesiologist
GC - These services have been performed by a resident under the direction of a teaching
physician.
NOTE: The GC modifier is reported by the teaching physician to indicate he/she
rendered the service in compliance with the teaching physician requirements in §100 of
this chapter. One of the payment modifiers must be used in conjunction with the GC
modifier.
The A/B MAC must determine payment for anesthesia in accordance with these
instructions. They must be able to determine the uniform base unit that is assigned to the
anesthesia code and apply the appropriate reduction where the anesthesia procedure
meets the requirements for payment at the medically directed rate. They must also be
able to determine the number of anesthesia time units from actual anesthesia time
reported on the claim. The A/B MAC must multiply allowable units by the anesthesia-
specific conversion factor used to determine fee schedule payment for the payment area.
J. Moderate Sedation Services Furnished in Conjunction with and in Support of
Procedural Services
Anesthesia services range in complexity. The continuum of anesthesia services, from
least intense to most intense in complexity is as follows: local or topical anesthesia,
moderate (conscious) sedation, regional anesthesia and general anesthesia. Moderate
sedation is a drug induced depression of consciousness during which the patient responds
purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile
stimulation. Moderate sedation does not include minimal sedation, deep sedation or
monitored anesthesia care.
Practitioners will report the appropriate CPT and/or HCPCS code that describes the
moderate sedation services furnished during a patient encounter, which are furnished in
conjunction with and in support of a procedural service, consistent with CPT guidance.
Refer to §50 and §140 of this chapter for information regarding reporting of anesthesia
services furnished in conjunction with and in support of procedural services.
K. Anesthesia for Diagnostic or Therapeutic Nerve Blocks and Services Lower in
Intensity than Moderate Sedation
If the anesthesiologist or CRNA provides anesthesia for diagnostic or therapeutic nerve
blocks or injections and a different provider performs the block or injection, then the
anesthesiologist or CRNA may report the anesthesia service using the appropriate CPT
code consistent with CPT guidance. The service must meet the criteria for monitored
anesthesia care as described in this section. If the anesthesiologist or CRNA provides
both the anesthesia service and the block or injection, then the anesthesiologist or CRNA
may report the anesthesia service and the injection or block. However, the anesthesia
service must meet the requirements for moderate sedation and if a lower level complexity
anesthesia service is provided, then the moderate sedation code should not be reported.
If the physician performing the medical or surgical procedure also provides a level of
anesthesia lower in intensity than moderate sedation, such as a local or topical anesthesia,
then the moderate sedation code should not be reported and no separate payment should
be allowed by the A/B MAC.
60 - Payment for Pathology Services
(Rev. 2714, Issued: 05-24-13, Effective: 07-01-12 Implementation: 06-25, 13)
A. Payment for Professional Component (PC) Services
Payment may be made under the physician fee schedule for the professional component
of physician laboratory or physician pathology services furnished to hospital inpatients or
outpatients by hospital physicians or by independent laboratories, if they qualify as the
re-assignee for the physician service.
B. Payment for Technical Component (TC) Services
1. General Rule
Payment is not made under the physician fee schedule for TC services furnished in
institutional settings where the TC service is bundled into the facility payment, e.g.,
hospital inpatient and outpatient settings. Payment is made under the physician fee
schedule for TC services furnished in institutional settings where the TC service is
not bundled into the facility payment, e.g., an ambulatory surgery center (ASC).
Payment may be made under the physician fee schedule for the TC of physician
pathology services furnished by an independent laboratory, or a hospital if it is acting
as an independent laboratory, to non-hospital patients. The physician fee schedule
identifies physician laboratory or physician pathology services that have a TC service.
2. TC Services Furnished by Independent Laboratories to Hospital Inpatients and
Outpatients
• For services furnished on or after July 1, 2012, an independent laboratory may
not bill the A/B MAC (B) (and the A/B MAC (B) may not pay) for the TC of
a physician pathology service furnished to a hospital inpatient or outpatient.
• For services furnished prior to July 1, 2012, payment may be made under the
fee schedule, as noted below, for the (TC) of pathology services furnished by
an independent laboratory to hospital inpatients or outpatients.
CMS published a final regulation in 1999 that would no longer allow independent
laboratories to bill under the physician fee schedule for the TC of physician pathology
services. The implementation of this regulation was delayed by Section 542 of the
Benefits and Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA). Section 542 allows the
Medicare A/B MAC (B) to continue to pay for the TC of physician pathology services
when an independent laboratory furnishes this service to an inpatient or outpatient of a
covered hospital. This provision is applicable to TC services furnished January 1, 2001
through June 30, 2012.
For this provision, a covered hospital is a hospital that had an arrangement with an
independent laboratory that was in effect as of July 22, 1999, under which a laboratory
furnished the TC of physician pathology services to fee-for-service Medicare
beneficiaries who were hospital inpatients or outpatients, and submitted claims for
payment for the TC to a A/B MAC (B). The TC could have been submitted separately or
combined with the professional component and reported as a combined service.
The term, fee-for-service Medicare beneficiary, means an individual who:
• Is entitled to benefits under Part A or enrolled under Part B of title XVIII or
both; and
• Is not enrolled in any of the following: A Medicare + Choice plan under Part
C of such title; a plan offered by an eligible organization under §1876 of the
Social Security Act; a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly under
§1894; or a social health maintenance organization demonstration project
established under Section 4108 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1987.
In implementing Section 542, the A/B MACs (B) should consider as independent
laboratories those entities that it has previously recognized as independent laboratories.
An independent laboratory that has acquired another independent laboratory that had an
arrangement of July 22, 1999, with a covered hospital, can bill the TC of physician
pathology services for that hospital’s inpatients and outpatients under the physician fee
schedule.
An independent laboratory that furnishes the TC of physician pathology services to
inpatients or outpatients of a hospital that is not a covered hospital may not bill the A/B
MAC (B) for the TC of physician pathology services during the time §542 is in effect.
If the arrangement between the independent laboratory and the covered hospital limited
the provision of TC physician pathology services to certain situations or at particular
times, then the independent laboratory can bill the A/B MAC (B) only for these limited
services.
The A/B MAC (B) shall require independent laboratories that had an arrangement, on or
prior to July 22, 1999 with a covered hospital, to bill for the technical component of
physician pathology services to provide a copy of this agreement, or other documentation
substantiating that an arrangement was in effect between the hospital and the independent
laboratory as of this date. The independent laboratory must submit this documentation
for each covered hospital that the independent laboratory services.
C. Physician Laboratory and Pathology Services
Physician laboratory and pathology services are limited to:
• Surgical pathology services;
• Specific cytopathology, hematology and blood banking services that have been
identified to require performance by a physician and are listed below;
• Clinical consultation services that meet the requirements in subsection 3 below;
and
• Clinical laboratory interpretation services that meet the requirements and which
are specifically listed in subsection 4 below.
1. Surgical Pathology Services
Surgical pathology services include the gross and microscopic examination of organ
tissue performed by a physician, except for autopsies, which are not covered by
Medicare.
Depending upon circumstances and the billing entity, the A/B MACs (B) may pay
professional component, technical component or both.
2. Specific Hematology, Cytopathology and Blood Banking Services
Cytopathology services include the examination of cells from fluids, washings, brushings
or smears, but generally excluding hematology. Examining cervical and vaginal smears
are the most common service in cytopathology. Cervical and vaginal smears do not
require interpretation by a physician unless the results are or appear to be abnormal. In
such cases, a physician personally conducts a separate microscopic evaluation to
determine the nature of an abnormality. This microscopic evaluation ordinarily does
require performance by a physician. When medically necessary and when furnished by a
physician, it is paid under the fee schedule.
For services furnished prior to January 1, 1999, A/B MACs (B) pay separately under the
physician fee schedule for the interpretation of an abnormal pap smear furnished to a
hospital inpatient by a physician. They must pay under the clinical laboratory fee
schedule for pap smears furnished in all other situations. This policy also applies to
screening pap smears requiring a physician interpretation. For services furnished on or
after January 1, 1999, A/B MACs (B) allow separate payment for a physician’s
interpretation of a pap smear to any patient (i.e., hospital or non-hospital) as long as: (1)
the laboratory’s screening personnel suspect an abnormality; and (2) the physician
reviews and interprets the pap smear.
This policy also applies to screening pap smears requiring a physician interpretation and
described in the National Coverage Determination Manual and Chapter 18. These
services are reported under codes P3000 or P3001.
Physician hematology services include microscopic evaluation of bone marrow
aspirations and biopsies. It also includes those limited number of peripheral blood
smears which need to be referred to a physician to evaluate the nature of an apparent
abnormality identified by the technologist. These codes include 85060, 38220, 85097,
and 38221.
A/B MACs (B) pay the PC for the interpretation of an abnormal blood smear (code
85060) furnished to a hospital inpatient by a hospital physician or an independent
laboratory.
For other hematology codes, payment may be made for the PC component if the service
is furnished to a patient by a hospital physician or independent laboratory. In addition,
payment may be made for these services furnished to patients by an independent
laboratory.
Blood banking services of hematologists and pathologists are paid under the physician
fee schedule when analyses are performed on donor and/or patient blood to determine
compatible donor units for transfusion where cross matching is difficult or where
contamination with transmissible disease of donor is suspected.
The blood banking codes are 86077, 86078, and 86079 and represent professional
component only services.
3. Clinical Consultation Services
Clinical consultations are paid under the physician fee schedule only if they:
a. Are requested by the patient’s attending physician;
b. Relate to a test result that lies outside the clinically significant normal or expected
range in view of the condition of the patient;
c. Result in a written narrative report included in the patient’s medical record; and
d. Require the exercise of medical judgment by the consultant physician.
Clinical consultations are professional component services only, i.e., there is no TC
service. The clinical consultation codes are 80500 and 80502.
Routine conversations held between a laboratory director and an attending physician
about test orders or results do not qualify as consultations unless all four requirements are
met. Laboratory personnel, including the director, may from time to time contact
attending physicians to report test results or to suggest additional testing or be contacted
by attending physicians on similar matters. These contacts do not constitute clinical
consultations. However, if in the course of such a contact, the attending physician
requests a consultation from the pathologist, and if that consultation meets the other
criteria and is properly documented, it is paid under the fee schedule.
EXAMPLE: A pathologist telephones a surgeon about a patient’s suitability for surgery
based on the results of clinical laboratory test results. During the course of their
conversation, the surgeon asks the pathologist whether, based on test results, patient
history and medical records, the patient is a candidate for surgery. The surgeon’s request
requires the pathologist to render a medical judgment and provide a consultation. The
pathologist follows up his/her oral advice with a written report and the surgeon notes in
the patient’s medical record that he/she requested a consultation. This consultation is
paid under the fee schedule.
In any case, if the information could ordinarily be furnished by a nonphysician laboratory
specialist, the service of the physician is not a consultation payable under the fee
schedule.
See the Program Integrity Manual for guidelines for related data analysis to identify
inappropriate patterns of billing for consultations.
4. Clinical Laboratory Interpretation Services
Only clinical laboratory interpretation services, which meet the criteria in subsections
C.3.a, c, and d, are billable under the physician fee schedule. These codes have a PC/TC
indicator of “6” on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule database. These services are
reported under the clinical laboratory code with modifier 26. These services can be paid
under the physician fee schedule if they are furnished to a patient by a hospital
pathologist or an independent laboratory. Note that a hospital’s standing order policy can
be used as a substitute for the individual request by the patient’s attending physician.
A/B MACs (B) are not allowed to revise CMS’s list to accommodate local medical
practice. The CMS periodically reviews this list and adds or deletes clinical laboratory
codes as warranted.
D. Global Billing
Billing globally for services that are split into separate PC and TC services is only
possible when the PC and TC are furnished by the same physician or supplier entity. For
example, where the PC and the TC of a diagnostic service are provided in the same
service location, this is reflected as the address entered into Item 32 on CMS Form 1500,
which provides the ZIP Code to pay the right locality/GPCI. In this case, the
physician/entity may bill globally. However, if the PC and the TC are each provided in
different service locations (enrolled practice locations), the PC and the TC must be
separately billed.
Merely applying the same place of service (POS) code to the PC and the TC does not
permit global billing for any diagnostic procedure.
70 - Payment Conditions for Radiology Services
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15022
See chapter 13, for claims processing instructions for radiology.
80 - Services of Physicians Furnished in Providers or to Patients of
Providers
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15014
This section sets forth special conditions that govern payments for services that
physicians furnish in, or to patients of, providers of services including hospitals, SNFs, or
Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs). If physicians are
compensated for their services by a provider or another entity, the compensation they
receive must be allocated among the various types of services they furnish.
The A/B MAC (A) pays for services that physicians furnish to the provider. Physician
services to the provider include, but are not limited to, standby surgical services.
Payment for physicians’ services to individual patients that meet the conditions in
subsection A is made under the physicians fee schedule. However:
• Payment for physicians’ services furnished in teaching settings is subject to the
additional conditions in §100;
• Payment for physicians’ services furnished to ESRD patients is subject to
additional requirements in Chapter 8, and
• The A/B MAC (A) pays for the services of residents, as well as for physicians
who are licensed to practice only in the provider setting, as provider services.
(See §100.2)
A. Conditions for Physician Fee Schedule Payment for Physicians’ Services to
Patients in Providers
1. General
A/B MACs (B) pay for physicians’ services to patients of providers on a fee schedule
basis only if the following requirements are met:
• The services are personally furnished for an individual patient by a physician;
• The services contribute directly to the diagnosis or treatment or an individual
patient;
• The services ordinarily require performance by a physician; and
• In the case of anesthesiology, radiology, or pathology/laboratory services, certain
additional requirements in §§50, 60, and 70 are met.
2. Services of Physicians to Patients in Providers
If a physician furnishes services to a patient in a hospital or SNF that do not meet the
requirements in §80.A.1, above, but are related to patient care, the services may be
covered as provider services and paid by the A/B MAC (A) within the applicable
Prospective Payment System (PPS) rate.
3. Effect of Billing Charges for Physician Services to Provider
If services furnished by a physician to a provider may be paid by the A/B MAC (A),
neither the provider nor the physician may seek fee schedule payments from the A/B
MAC (B), the beneficiary, or another insurer. A/B MACs (B) must report any situation
in which this happens to the RO unless it is clearly an isolated case of billing error.
4. Effect of Assumption of Operating Costs
If a physician or an entity enters into an agreement (such as a lease or concession) with a
provider under which the physician (or entity) assumes some or all of the operating costs
of the provider department:
• A/B MACs (B) make fee schedule payments only for physicians’ services to
individual patients;
• The physician (or other entity) must make its books and records available to the
provider and the A/B MAC (A), as necessary, to verify the nature and extent of
the costs of the services furnished by the physician (or other entity); and
• The lessee’s costs associated with producing these services, including overhead,
supplies, equipment, and the costs of employing nonphysician personnel are
payable by the A/B MAC (A) as provider services.
80.1 - Coverage of Physicians’ Services Provided in Comprehensive
Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-2220
Rehabilitation services furnished by comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities
(CORFs) are covered by Medicare Part B.
Under §1832(a)(2)(E), and §1861(cc)(2) (go
to http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1800.htm and select the applicable
title) and related provisions of the Act, a CORF is recognized as a provider of
services on the basis of its reasonable costs. Except for diagnostic and therapeutic
services provided by physicians to individual patients, payment is made to the CORF
by A/B MACs (A) (acting in the role of the A/B MAC (B).)
Physicians’ diagnostic and therapeutic services furnished to a CORF patient are not
considered CORF physician’s services. Instead they are services that the physician
must bill to the A/B MAC (B). If covered services, payment is made according to the
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. When physician’s diagnostic and therapeutic
services are furnished in a CORF, the claim must be annotated to show the CORF as
the place of treatment.
Services considered administrative services provided by the physician associated with
the CORF are considered CORF services reimbursable to the CORF by the A/B
MACs (A). Administrative services include consultation with and medical
supervision of nonphysician staff, establishing and reviewing the plan of treatment,
and other medical and facility administration activities.
80.2 - Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center
Services
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-2260-2260.3
Payment may be made under Part B for the medical and other health services furnished
by a qualified rural health clinic (RHC) and Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).
The covered services RHCs/FQHCs may offer are divided into two basic groups:
RHC/FQHC services (defined below) and other medical and other health services
covered under Part B.
Items and services which meet the definition of RHC services or FQHC services are
reimbursed either by designated RHC intermediaries, or a national FQHC FI in the case
of independent RHCs/FQHCs, or by the provider’s A/B MAC (A) in the case of provider
based clinics. In either case, the A/B MAC (B) does not pay claims for services defined
as RHC/FQHC services. The A/B MAC (A) pays for such services through a
prospectively determined encounter rate.
Where an RHC or a FQHC is approved for billing other medical and health services to
the A/B MAC (B), the RHC or FQHC bills the A/B MAC (B) and is paid according to
the method of payment for the service provided.
Rural health clinic and Federally qualified health center services are described in the
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 13. That chapter provides that the following
services usually performed by physicians are included as services included in the
encounter rate and therefore are not separately billable for RHC/FQHC patients. They
are:
• Professional services performed by a physician for a patient including diagnosis,
therapy, surgery, and consultation (See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual,
Chapter 15);
• Services and supplies incident to a physician’s services, as described in the
Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15;
• Nurse practitioner and physician assistant services (including the services of
specialized nurse practitioners and nurse midwives) that would be covered if
furnished by a physician, provided the nurse practitioner or physician assistant is
legally permitted to perform the services by the State in which they are
performed;
• Services and supplies incident to the services of nurse practitioners and physician
assistants that would be covered if furnished incident to a physician’s services,
and
• Visiting nurse services to the homebound.
However, the technical component of diagnostic services may be billed separately by the
physician to the A/B MAC (B), if provided. See Chapter 9, and the Medicare Benefit
Policy Manual, Chapter 13, for additional information on the definition of RHC/FQHC
services.
Also, an RHC or FQHC may provide other items and services which are covered under
Part B, but which are not defined as RHC or FQHC services. They are listed in the
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 13. Independent RHCs/FQHCs bill the A/B
MAC (B) for such services. Provider-based RHC/FQHC services are billed to the A/B
MAC (A) as services of the parent provider.
Independent RHCs/FQHCs must enroll with the A/B MAC (B) in order to bill. (See the
Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 10, for enrollment instructions).
80.3 - Unusual Travel (CPT Code 99082)
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15026
In general, travel has been incorporated in the MPFSDB individual fees and is thus not
separately payable. A/B MACs (B) must pay separately for unusual travel (CPT code
99082) only when the physician submits documentation to demonstrate that the travel
was very unusual.
90 - Physicians Practicing in Special Settings
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
90.1 - Physicians in Federal Hospitals
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-2020.5
There are many physicians performing services in hospitals operated by the Federal
Government, e.g., military, Veterans Administration, and Public Health Service hospitals.
Normally Medicare does not pay for the services provided by a physician in a Federal
hospital except when the hospital provides services to the public generally as a
community institution. Such a physician working in the scope of his Federal employment
may be considered as coming within the statutory definition of physician even though he
may not have a license to practice in the State in which he is employed.
90.2 - Physician Billing for End-Stage Renal Disease Services
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 11, for a description of ESRD policy.
See chapter 8, for billing requirements for physicians and facilities.
90.2.1 - Inpatient Hospital Visits With Dialysis Patients
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-15062-15062.1
Global billing practices that involve the submission of charges for each day that a patient
is hospitalized are allowed. Therefore, A/B MACs (B) may make payment for inpatient
hospital visits that are specified relative to time, place, day, and services directly provided
to inpatients. This guideline may, however, differ with respect to daily visit charges for
inpatient hospital visits with dialysis inpatients. When an ESRD patient is hospitalized,
the hospitalization may or may not be due to a renal-related condition. In either case, the
patient must continue to be dialyzed.
Chapter 8 provides policy and payment instructions for physicians’ services furnished to
dialysis inpatients. It also provides instructions for billing physicians’ renal-related
medical services furnished on dialysis days and for dialysis and evaluation and
management services performed on the same day.
90.3 - Physicians’ Services Performed in Ambulatory Surgical Centers
(ASC)
(Rev. 1604, Issued: 09-26-08, Effective: 01-08-08, Implementation: 01-05-09)
See Chapter 14, for a description of services that may be billed by an ASC and services
separately billed by physicians.
The ASC payment does not include the professional services of the physician. These are
billed separately by the physician. Physicians’ services include the services of
anesthesiologists administering or supervising the administration of anesthesia to ASC
patients and the patients’ recovery from the anesthesia. The term physicians’ services
also includes any routine pre- or postoperative services, such as office visits,
consultations, diagnostic tests, removal of stitches, changing of dressings, and other
services which the individual physician usually performs.
The physician must enter the place of service code (POS) 24 on the claim to show that
the procedure was performed in an ASC.
The A/B MAC (B) pays the facility fee from the MPFSDB to the physician. The facility
fee is for services done in a facility other than the physician’s office and is typically less
than the nonfacility fee for services performed in the physician’s office.
90.4 - Billing and Payment in a Health Professional Shortage Area
(HPSA)
(Rev. 1273; Issued: 06-29-07; Effective/Implementation Dates: 10-01-07)
In accordance with §1833(m) of the Act, physicians who provide covered professional
services in any rural or urban HPSA are entitled to an incentive payment. Beginning
January 1, 1989, physicians providing services in certain classes of rural HPSAs were
entitled to a 5-percent incentive payment. Effective January 1, 1991, physicians
providing services in either rural or urban HPSAs are eligible for a 10-percent incentive
payment.
Eligibility for receiving the 10 percent bonus payment is based on whether the specific
location at which the service is furnished is within an area that is designated (under
section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Services Act) as a HPSA. The Health
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), within the Department of Health &
Human Services, is responsible for designating shortage areas.
HRSA designates three types of HPSAs: geographic, population, and facility-based.
Geographic-based HPSAs are areas with shortages of primary care physicians, dentists or
psychiatrists. Population-based HPSAs are designations based on underserved
populations within an area. Facility-based HPSAs are designations based on a public or
non-profit private facility that is providing services to an underserved area or population
and has an insufficient capacity to meet their needs.
Section 1833(m) of the Social Security Act (the Act) provides incentive payments for
physicians who furnish services in areas designated as HPSAs under section 332
(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. This section of the PHS Act pertains
to geographic-based HPSAs. Consequently, Medicare incentive payments are available
only in geographic HPSAs.
Although section 1833(m) of the Act provides the authority to recognize the three types
of geographic-based HPSAs (primary medical care, dental and mental health), only
physicians, including psychiatrists, furnishing services in a primary medical care HPSA
are eligible to receive bonus payments. In addition, effective for claims with dates of
service on or after July 1, 2004, psychiatrists furnishing services in mental health HPSAs
are eligible to receive bonus payments. CMS does not recognize dental HPSAs for the
bonus payment program.
It is not enough for the physician merely to have his/her office or primary service
location in a HPSA, nor must the beneficiary reside in a HPSA, although frequently this
will be the case. The key to eligibility is where the service is actually provided (place of
service). For example, a physician providing a service in his/her office, the patient’s
home, or in a hospital qualifies for the incentive payment as long as the specific location
of the service is within an area designated as a HPSA. On the other hand, a physician
may have an office in a HPSA but go outside the office (and the designated HPSA area)
to provide the service. In this case, the physician would not be eligible for the incentive
payment. A/B MAC (B) responsibilities include:
Informing the physician community of these provisions;
Providing a link to the CMS Web site to access the HPSA automated ZIP code
files;
Providing a direct link to HRSA’s HPSA database
Modifying the claims processing system to recognize and appropriately handle
eligible claims;
Paying physicians the incentive payments; and
Performing post-payment reviews of samples of paid claims submitted using the AQ
modifier.
90.4.1 - Provider Education
(Rev. 1639, Issued: 11-21-08, Effective: 01-01-09, Implementation: 01-05-09)
ZIP Code files for the automated payment of the HPSA bonus payment will be developed
and updated annually. Effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1,
2009, only services provided in areas that are designated as of December 31 of the prior
year are eligible for the HPSA bonus payment. Physicians providing services in areas
that were designated as of December 31 of the prior year but not on the automated file
may use the AQ modifier. Only services provided in areas that were designated as of
December 31 of the prior year but not on the automated file may use the modifier.
Services provided in areas that are designated throughout the year will not be eligible for
the HPSA bonus payment until the following year, provided they are still designated on
December 31. Services provided in areas that are de-designated throughout the year will
continue to be eligible for the HPSA bonus through the end of the calendar year.
CMS will post on its Web site ZIP Codes that are eligible to automatically receive the
bonus payment as well as information on how to determine when the modifier is needed
to receive the bonus payment. Through regularly scheduled bulletins and list serves, A/B
MACs (B) must notify all physicians to verify their ZIP Code eligibility via the CMS
Web site or the HRSA Website for the area where they provide physician services.
90.4.1.1 - A/B MAC (B) Web Pages
(Rev. 1273; Issued: 06-29-07; Effective/Implementation Dates: 10-01-07)
A/B MAC (B) Web pages shall direct the physician community to a direct link to the
CMS Web site to access the automated HPSA bonus payment files, and a direct link to
the HRSA/HPSA designations database.
90.4.2 - HPSA Designations
(Rev. 1639, Issued: 11-21-08, Effective: 01-01-09, Implementation: 01-05-09)
HPSA designations are made by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s
(HRSA) Division of Shortage Designation (DSD). An automated file of areas eligible for
the HPSA bonus payment will be updated on an annual basis and will be effective for
services rendered with dates of service on or after January 1 of each calendar year.
Physicians may only use the AQ modifier for services furnished in an area that was
designated as of December 31 of the prior year. This information can be downloaded
from the HRSA Web site.
A/B MACs (B) will be informed of the availability of the file and the file name via an
email notice. A/B MACs (B) will automatically pay bonuses for services rendered in ZIP
Code areas that fully fall within a designated primary care or mental health full county
HPSA; are considered to fully fall in the county based on a determination of dominance
made by the United States Postal Service (USPS); or are fully within a partial county
HPSA area. Should a ZIP Code fall within both a primary care and mental health HPSA,
only one bonus will be paid on the service. Bonuses for mental health HPSAs will only
be paid when performed by the provider specialty of 26 - psychiatry.
For services rendered in ZIP Code areas that do not fall within a designated full county
HPSA; are not considered to fall within the county based on a determination of
dominance made by the USPS; or are partially within a partial county HPSA, physicians
must submit a AQ modifier to receive payment.
To determine whether a modifier is needed, physicians must review the information
provided on the CMS Web or the HRSA Web site for HPSA designations to determine if
the location where they render services is, indeed, within a HPSA bonus area. Physicians
may also base the determinations on letters of designations received from HRSA. They
must be prepared to provide these letters as documentation upon the request of the A/B
MAC (B) and should verify the eligibility of their area for a bonus with their A/B MAC
(B) before submitting services with a HPSA modifier.
For services rendered in ZIP Code areas that cannot automatically receive the bonus, it
will be necessary to know the census tract of the area to determine if a bonus should be
paid and a modifier submitted. Census tract data can be retrieved by visiting the U.S.
Census Bureau Web site at www.Census.gov or the Federal Financial Institutions
Examination Council (FFIEC) Web site at www.ffiec.gov/geocode/default.htm.
Instructions on how to use these Web sites can be found on the CMS Web site at
http://new.cms.hhs.gov/HPSAPSAPhysicianBonuses. Neither CMS nor the Medicare
A/B MACs (B) can provide information on the functionality of these Web sites.
90.4.3 - Claims Coding Requirements
(Rev. 608, Issued: 07-22-05; Effective: 01-01-06; Implementation: 01-03-06)
For services with dates of service prior to January 1, 2005, physicians must indicate that
their services were provided in an incentive-eligible rural or urban HPSA by using one of
the following modifiers:
QB - physician providing a service in a rural HPSA; or
QU - physician providing a service in an urban HPSA.
Effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2006, the QB and QU
modifiers will no longer be accepted. Claims with prior dates of service must still be
submitted with those modifiers. The AQ modifier, Physician providing a service in a
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), will replace the QB and QU modifiers and
will be effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2006.
For services with dates of service on or after January 1, 2005, the bonus will
automatically be paid without the submission of a modifier for the following:
• When services are provided in a zip code area that fully falls within a full
county HPSA;
• When services are provided in a zip code area that partially falls within a full
county HPSA and has been determined to be dominant for the county by the
USPS; and
• When services are provided within a zip code that fully falls within a partial
county HPSA.
The submission of the QB or QU modifier, or the AQ modifier for claims with dates of
service on or after January 1, 2006, will be required for the following:
• When services are provided in zip code areas that do not fully fall within a
designated full county HPSA bonus area;
• When services are provided in a zip code area that partially falls within a full
county HPSA but is not considered to be in that county based on the dominance
decision made by the USPS;
• When services are provided in a zip code area that partially falls within a partial
county HPSA; and.
• When services are provided in a zip code area that was not included in the
automated file based on the date of the data run used to create the file.
In order to be considered for the bonus payment, the name, address, and zip code of
where the service was rendered must be included on all electronic and paper claims
submissions.
90.4.4 - Payment
(Rev. 2040, Issued: 08-27-10, Effective: 01-01-11 and 04-04-11, Implementation: 01-
03-11 for the claim identification of the incentive and 04-04-11 for full
implementation)
The incentive payment is 10 percent of the amount actually paid, not the approved
amount. A/B MACs (B) pay the incentive payment for services identified on either
assigned or unassigned claims.
They do not include the incentive payment with each claim payment. A/B MACs (B)
should:
• Establish a quarterly schedule for issuing incentive payments. These payments
are taxable and must be reported to the IRS; and
• Prepare a special incentive remittance to accompany each payment. Include a
line-item for each assigned claim represented in the incentive check and a
“summary” item showing the number of unassigned claims represented. Claims
should be identified as HPSA physician, Scarcity, HSIP and/or PCIP in the
summary. The sum of the line-items and the “summary” item should equal the
amount of the check.
90.4.5 - Services Eligible for HPSA and Physician Scarcity Bonus
Payments
(Rev. 906, Issued: 04-14-06; Effective: 07-01-06; Implementation: 07-03-06)
A. Information in the Professional Component/Technical Component (PC/TC)
Indicator Field of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database
A/B MACs (B) use the information in the Professional Component/Technical Component
(PC/TC) indicator field of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database to identify
professional services eligible for HPSA and physician scarcity bonus payments. The
following are the rules to apply in determining whether to pay the bonus on services
furnished within a geographic HPSA or, physician scarcity bonus area. Should A/B
MACs (B) receive notification from physicians that they have chosen to forego the bonus
payments, the A/B MACs (B) shall make no bonus payments to that physician for any
service.
PC/TC
Indicator Bonus Payment Policy
0 Pay bonus
1 Globally billed. Only the professional component of this service qualifies
for the bonus payment. The bonus cannot be paid on the technical
component of globally billed services.
ACTION: Effective for claims received prior to October 1, 2005, A/B
MACs (B) return the service as unprocessable and notify the physician that
the professional component must be re-billed if it is performed within a
qualifying bonus area. If the technical component is the only component
of the service that was performed in the bonus area, there wouldn’t be a
qualifying service.
Effective for claims received on or after October 1, 2005, A/B MACs (B)
shall accept claims with services with a PC/TC indicator of 1 that are
eligible for the HPSA or PSA bonus. They shall pay the bonus only on the
professional component of the service.
1 Professional Component (modifier 26). A/B MACs (B) pay the bonus.
1 Technical Component (modifier TC). A/B MACs (B) do not pay the
bonus.
2 Professional Component only. A/B MACs (B) pay the bonus.
3 Technical Component only. A/B MACs (B) do not pay the bonus.
4 Global test only. Only the professional component of this service qualifies
for the bonus payment.
ACTION: Effective for claims received prior to July 1, 2006, A/B MACs
(B) return the service as unprocessable. They instruct the provider to re-
bill the service as separate professional and technical component procedure
codes.
Effective for claims received on or after July 1, 2006, except for 93015,
A/B MACs (B) shall accept claims with services with a PC/TC indicator of
4 that are eligible for the HPSA or PSA bonus. They shall pay the bonus
only on the associated professional component of the service. Since 93015
has two associated professional components, A/B MACs (B) will not be
able to make a determination as to which would be the correct component
PC/TC
Indicator Bonus Payment Policy
to use to calculate the bonuses. Therefore, A/B MACs (B) shall continue
to treat 93015 as unprocessable.
5 Incident to codes. A/B MACs (B) do not pay the bonus.
6 Laboratory physician interpretation codes. A/B MACs (B) pay the bonus.
7 Physical therapy service. A/B MACs (B) do not pay the bonus.
8 Physician interpretation codes. A/B MACs (B) pay the bonus.
9 Concept of PC/TC does not apply. A/B MACs (B) do not pay the bonus.
NOTE: Codes that have a status of “X” on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Database (MFSDB) have been assigned PC/TC indicator 9 and are not
considered physician services for MFSDB payment purposes. Therefore,
neither the HPSA bonus payment nor the physician scarcity area bonus payment
will be paid for these codes.
B. Anesthesia Codes (CPT Codes 00100 Through 01999) That Do Not Appear on the
MFSDB
Anesthesia codes (CPT codes 00100 through 01999) do not appear on the MFSDB.
However, when a medically necessary anesthesia service is furnished within a HPSA or
physician scarcity area by a physician, a HPSA bonus and/or physician scarcity bonus is
payable.
To claim a bonus payment for anesthesia, physicians bill codes 00100 through 01999
with modifiers QY, QK, AD, AA, or GC to signify that the anesthesia service was
performed by a physician along with the QB or QU modifier, or the AQ modifier for
claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2006, when required per §90.4.3 or the
AR modifier as required per §90.5.3.
C. Mental Health Services
Physicians’ professional services rendered by the provider specialty of 26 - psychiatry,
are eligible for a HPSA bonus when rendered in a mental health HPSA. The service must
have a PC/TC designation per the chart above. Should a zip code fall within both a
primary care and mental health HPSA, only one bonus must be paid on the service.
90.4.6 - Reserved for Future Use
90.4.7 - Post-payment Review
(Rev. 2914, Issued: 03-25-14, Effective: 03-31-14, Implementation: 03-31-14)
On a post-payment basis, services submitted with the QB or QU modifier, or the AQ
modifier for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2006, will be subject to
validation.
Effective for claims with the dates of service on or after January 1, 2005, the date of the
HPSA designation or withdrawal on the HRSA Web site or the date of designation or
withdrawal in notification letters from HRSA are used as the effective date for paying the
HPSA bonus.
Effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2006, A/B MAC Part B
A/B MACs (B) shall only include services paid with the AQ modifier for post-payment
HPSA review. Services with bonuses that were automatically paid based on the ZIP code
for the HPSA post-payment review process shall not be included. Additional post-
payment will be conducted at the A/B MAC (B)’s discretion. Effective for claims with
dates of service on or after January 1, 2009, for Medicare bonus payment purposes, A/B
MACs (B) shall only consider services eligible for bonuses if the area was designated as a HPSA
as of December 31 of the prior year.
The post-payment review will be conducted each quarter as follows:
• Array each list of physicians by the total amount of incentive payments received.
• Select the 25 percent of physicians on each list who received the highest
payments.
• Review a sample of 5 claims by each physician on each list (ensure the sample is
representative of different types of settings, if applicable).
• The findings must be transmitted via CROWD (Form 1565E) to central office no
later than the 75th day following the close of the CROWD reporting quarter.
Physicians who appear on a list, were previously reviewed, and subsequently found to be
in compliance shall be excluded from the current reporting. The 5 claim sample shall be
reviewed to ensure the place of service was actually in a HPSA bonus area. In addition,
effective for claims with dates of service on or after July 1, 2004, services selected as part
of the 25% sample will be verified that they were provided in a mental health HPSA by
the physician specialty of 26, psychiatry.
Once a physician has incorrectly claimed incentive payments, the A/B MACs (B) shall
continue to monitor the physician’s claims until they are found to be in compliance.
The designations on the HRSA Web site and HRSA letters can be used to verify that
services were provided in a HPSA. Physicians are permitted to submit copies of HRSA
designation letters as appropriate documentation to their.
If it is determined that a HPSA bonus was paid in error, the A/B MAC (B) will pursue the
amount of any overpayment by directly contacting the physician and his/her billing staff.
For Medicare HPSA bonus payment purposes, designations are valid for the entire
calendar year regardless of whether the HPSA designation is withdrawn by the HRSA
during that year.
90.4.8 - Reporting
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-3350.8, B3-13320, B3-13320.1, B3-13322.3
Reporting instructions are included in Chapter 6 of the Medicare Financial Management
Manual.
90.4.9 - HPSA Incentive Payments for Physician Services Rendered in a
Critical Access Hospital (CAH)
(Rev. 608, Issued: 07-22-05; Effective: 01-01-06; Implementation: 01-03-06)
If a CAH electing the Optional Method (Method II) is located within a mental health
HPSA, the psychiatrists providing (outpatient) professional services in the CAH are
eligible for the Mental Health and Primary Care HPSA bonus payments. When billing
for this service, the CAH must bill using Revenue code 961 plus the applicable HCPCS.
This Mental Health HPSA bonus will be paid to the CAH on a quarterly basis by the FI.
If an area is designated as both a mental health HPSA and a primary medical HPSA, only
one 10% bonus will be paid for the service.
Refer to §250.2 in the Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 4 for additional information.
90.4.10 - Administrative and Judicial Review
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B)
Per Section 413(b)(1) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003, there shall be no administrative or judicial review
respecting:
• The identification of a county or area;
• The assignment of a specialty of any physician;
• The assignment of a physician to a county; or
• The assignment of a postal zip code to a county or other area.
90.4.11 - Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) Surgical Incentive Payment
Program (HSIP) for Surgical Services Rendered in HPSAs
(Rev. 2040, Issued: 08-27-10, Effective: 01-01-11 and 04-04-11, Implementation: 01-
03-11 for the claim identification of the incentive and 04-04-11 for full
implementation)
Section 5501(b) of the Affordable Care Act revises Section 1833(m) of the Act and
authorizes a 10 percent incentive payment for 10 - and 90 - day global surgical
procedures furnished by 02 – general surgeons in Health Professional Shortage Areas
(HPSAs).
90.4.11.1 - Overview of the HSIP
(Rev. 2040, Issued: 08-27-10, Effective: 01-01-11 and 04-04-11, Implementation: 01-
03-11 for the claim identification of the incentive and 04-04-11 for full
implementation)
The incentive payment applies to major surgical procedures, that are defined as 10 - and
90 - day global procedures under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and furnished on or
after January 1, 2011, and before January 1, 2016, by an 02-general surgeon in an area
designated under Section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act as a HPSA.
To be consistent with the Medicare HPSA physician bonus program (Pub. 100-04,
Chapter 12, §90.4), HSIP payments are calculated by A/B MACs (B) on a quarterly basis,
on behalf of the qualifying general surgeon, for the qualifying surgical procedures. The
surgeons’ professional services are paid under the PFS based on a claim for professional
services.
90.4.11.2 - HPSA Identification
(Rev. 2040, Issued: 08-27-10, Effective: 01-01-11 and 04-04-11, Implementation: 01-
03-11 for the claim identification of the incentive and 04-04-11 for full
implementation)
For HSIP payments to be applicable, the 10 - or 90 - day global surgical procedure must
be furnished in an area designated by the Secretary as of December 31 of the prior year as
a HPSA.
Each year, a list of ZIP codes eligible for automatic payment of the HSIP incentive
payment (and the Medicare HPSA physician bonus program) is published. This list is
utilized for automatic payments of the incentive for eligible services furnished by general
surgeons. A/B MACs (B) will use the existing HPSA modifier -AQ ,along with the
physician specialty (02), to identify circumstances when general surgeons furnish major
surgical procedures in areas that are designated as HPSAs as of December 31 of the prior
year, but that are not on the list of ZIP codes eligible for automatic payment. Modifier -
AQ should be appended to the major surgical procedure on claims submitted for payment
under these circumstances.
90.4.11.3 - Coordination with Other Payments
(Rev. 2040, Issued: 08-27-10, Effective: 01-01-11 and 04-04-11, Implementation: 01-
03-11 for the claim identification of the incentive and 04-04-11 for full
implementation)
Section 5501(b)(4) of the Affordable Care Act provides payment under the HSIP as an
additional payment amount for specified surgical services without regard to any
additional payment for the service under section 1833(m) of the Act. Therefore, a
general surgeon may receive both a HPSA physician bonus payment under the
established program, and an HSIP payment under the new program beginning in CY
2011.
90.4.11.4 - General Surgeon and Surgical Procedure Identification for
Professional Services Paid Under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS)
(Rev. 2040, Issued: 08-27-10, Effective: 01-01-11 and 04-04-11, Implementation: 01-
03-11 for the claim identification of the incentive and 04-04-11 for full
implementation)
Qualifying general surgeons are identified on a claim for a 10 - or 90 - day global
surgical procedure based on the primary specialty of the rendering physician, identified
by his or her National Provider Identifier (NPI), of 02 - general surgery. If the claim is
submitted by a physician group practice, the rendering physician’s NPI must be included
on the line-item for the qualifying surgical procedure in order for a determination to be
made regarding whether or not the procedure is eligible for payment under the HSIP.
Eligible surgical procedures are those procedures for which a 10 - or 90 - day global
period is used for payment under the PFS. The specific HCPCS procedure codes eligible
for the HSIP are identified in column U (global period) of the Physician Fee Schedule
Relative Value Update (RVU) file located at: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-
Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Relative-Value-Files.html, with a
global period designation of 10 - or 90 - days.
90.4.11.5 - Claims Processing and Payment
(Rev. 2040, Issued: 08-27-10, Effective: 01-01-11 and 04-04-11, Implementation: 01-
03-11 for the claim identification of the incentive and 04-04-11 for full
implementation)
A. General Overview
The HPSA physician bonus program guidelines are contained in Pub. 100-04, Chapter
12, §90.4. Refer to that section for payment and claims processing guidance for the
HPSA physician bonus program that was established in 2005. The following guidelines
pertain only to the additional 10 percent incentive payment for 10 - or 90 - day global
surgical procedures furnished by 02 - general surgeons in HPSAs from January 1, 2011
through December 31, 2015.
A/B MACs (B) shall identify eligible surgical procedures with a 10 - or 90 - day global
period rendered in an eligible primary care HPSA zip code area based on the HPSA
physician bonus ZIP code file for the appropriate date of service. The HPSAs eligible for
automatic payment may be found on the CMS Web site at:
http://www.cms.gov/HPSAPSAPhysicianBonuses/01_overview.asp.
A/B MACs (B) must also inform eligible practitioners about the use of modifier -AQ on
claims for 10 - or 90 - day global surgical procedures that were furnished in HPSAs
approved by December 31 of the preceding calendar year, but that are not recognized for
automatic payment. The modifier must be appended to the surgical procedure for the
service to be eligible for the 10 percent additional HSIP payment.
B. Method of Payment
• Calculate and pay general surgeons an additional 10 percent incentive payment;
• Calculate the payment based on the amount actually paid for the service, not the
Medicare approved amount;
• Combine the HSIP incentive payments, when appropriate, with other incentive
payments, including the HPSA physician bonus payment;
• Accept and pay the incentive payment for 10 - and 90 - day global period surgical
procedures furnished by general surgeons (02) and submitted with the modifier -
AQ;
• Provide a special remittance form that is forwarded with the incentive payment so
that physicians and nonphysician practitioners can identify which type of
incentive payment (HPSA, HSIP, and/or PCIP) was paid for which services;
• Use the PLB03 adjustment reason code LE;
• Add the following message to the incentive checks: This check is for the HPSA,
HSIP and/or PCIP. See special remittance for details; and
• Inform practitioners to contact their A/B MAC (B) with any questions regarding
HSIP payments.
C. Changes for A/B MAC (B) Systems
The Medicare Carrier System, (MCS), Common Working File (CWF,) and National
Claims History (NCH) shall be modified to accept a new incentive
HPSA/PSA/HSIP/PCIP payment indicator on the claim line.
Once the type of incentive has been identified by the shared systems, the shared system
shall transmit the HPSA/PSA/HSIP/PCIP indicator to CWF and modify their systems to
set the indicator on the claim line as follows:
1 = HPSA;
2 = PSA;
3 = HPSA and PSA;
4 = HSIP;
5 = HPSA and HSIP;
6 = PCIP;
7 = HPSA and PCIP; and
Space = Not Applicable.
The MCS shall send the HIGLAS 810 invoice for incentive payment invoices,
including the new HSIP payment. The A/B MAC (B) shall also combine the
practitioner’s HPSA physician bonus, Physician Scarcity (PSA) bonus (if it should
become available at a later date), HSIP payment, and/or PCIP payment invoice per
practitioner. The A/B MAC (B) shall receive the HIGLAS 835 payment file from
HIGLAS showing a single incentive payment per practitioner.
90.5 - Billing and Payment in a Physician Scarcity Area (PSA)
(Rev. 1434; Issued: 02-05-08; Effective: 01-01-08; Implementation: 01-07-08)
Section 413a of the MMA requires that a 5 percent bonus payment be established for
physicians in designated physician scarcity areas for dates of service January 1, 2005,
through December 31, 2007. The Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP) Extension Act of 2007 amended §1833(u)(1) of the Social
Security Act and has extended payment of that bonus through June 30, 2008. Physician
scarcity designations will be based on the lowest primary care and specialty care ratios of
Medicare beneficiaries to active physicians in every county. In addition, based on rural
census tracts of metropolitan statistical areas identified through the latest modification of
the Goldsmith Modification (i.e., Rural-Urban Commuting Area Codes), additional
physician scarcity areas will be identified based on the lowest primary care and specialty
care ratios of Medicare beneficiaries to active physicians in each identified rural census
area.
90.5.1 - Provider Education
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B))
Upon publication of the final rule of the 2005 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS
will post on its Web site zip codes that are eligible for automatic payment of the
physician scarcity bonus payment.
90.5.2 - Identifying Physician Scarcity Area Locations
(Rev. 1434; Issued: 02-05-08; Effective: 01-01-08; Implementation: 01-07-08)
The CMS shall provide to the standard systems and A/B MACs (B) file of zip codes for
the automated payment of the primary care and specialty physician scarcity bonus. The
file will be effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2005, through
December 31, 2007. A/B MACs (B) and shared systems will be notified by e-mail of the
name of the file and when it will be available for downloading.
The Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Extension Act of 2007 amended §1833(u)(1) of the Social Security Act and has extended
payment of the Physician Scarcity Area bonus through June 30, 2008, using the same file
used for prior years.
90.5.3 - Claims Coding Requirements
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B))
Medicare will automatically pay the physician scarcity bonus on a quarterly basis for
services provided in ZIP code areas that fully fall within a county designated as a PSA,
partially fall within a county designated as a PSA area and are considered to be dominant
for that county based on a determination by the United States Postal Service (USPS), or
fall within a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area identified through the
latest modification of the Goldsmith Modification that is determined to be a PSA.
In some cases, a service may be provided in a county that is considered to be a PSA, but
the ZIP code is not considered to be dominant for that area. The bonus payment cannot
automatically be made. In order to receive the bonus for those areas, physicians must
include the following modifier on the claim:
AR - Physician providing service in a Physician Scarcity Area.
In order to be considered for the bonus payment, the name, address, and ZIP code of
where the service was rendered must be included on all electronic and paper claims
submissions.
90.5.4 - Payment
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B))
Section 413a of the MMA adds subsection (u)(6) to Section 1833 of the Social Security
Act. For the payment of the physician scarcity bonus, this section defines physicians as
doctors of medicine or osteopathy described per Section 1861(r)(1). Therefore, dentists,
chiropractors, podiatrists, and optometrists are not eligible for the physician scarcity
bonus as either primary care or specialty physicians
Only the provider specialty designations of General Practice - 01, Family Practice - 08,
Internal Medicine - 11, and Obstetrics/Gynecology - 16, will be paid the bonus for the zip
codes designated as primary care PSAs. All other physician provider specialties will be
eligible for the specialty physician scarcity bonus for the zip codes designated as
specialty PSAs.
The bonus is to be paid based on date of service. Accommodations must be made in
payment systems to maintain an active file for a current period as well as an active file
for a previous period so that the bonus can be paid based on date of service. Also, the
A/B MACs (B) and standard systems maintainers shall program systems to be able to
maintain files for the periods prior to the two active periods as an archive for reference
purposes.
90.5.5 - Services Eligible for the Physician Scarcity Bonus
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B))
Eligible physician services for the physician scarcity bonus are identified in the same
manner that they are currently identified for the HPSA bonus payment per Pub. 100-4,
Chapter 12, §90.4.5A and B. A quarterly 5 percent bonus payment is made to the
physician based on the amount actually paid, not the Medicare approved amount of the
service.
90.5.5.1 - Remittance Messages
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B))
See §90.4.6 for applicable remittance messages when submitted services are not eligible
for a HPSA and/or physician scarcity bonus payment.
90.5.6 - Post-payment Review
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B))
On a post-pay basis, services submitted with the AR modifier will be subject to
validation.
90.5.7 - Administrative and Judicial Review
(Rev. 280, Issued 08-13-04, Effective/Implementation: October 1, 2004 for the
analysis and design phases for the MCS Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for the coding, testing, and implementation phases for the MCS
Maintainer and A/B MACs (B)
January 1, 2005 for all phases for the VIPS Maintainers and A/B MACs (B))
Per Section 413(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization
Act of 2003, there shall be no administrative or judicial review respecting:
• The identification of a county or area;
• The assignment of a specialty of any physician;
• The assignment of a physician to a county; or
• The assignment of a postal ZIP code to a county or other area.
90.6 - The Indian Health Service (IHS) Provider Payment to Non-IHS
Physicians for Teleradiology Interpretations
(Rev. 1643, Issued: 12-05-08, Effective: 01-01-07, Implementation: 03-09-09)
The IHS providers may choose to purchase or otherwise contract with non-IHS
physicians or practitioners for teleradiology interpretations services. These services may
be paid using either contractual reassignment or purchased test methodologies. See
Chapter 19, Section 120 of this Manual for further information.
90.7 - Bundling of Payments for Services Provided in Wholly Owned
and Wholly Operated Entities (including Physician Practices and
Clinics): 3-Day Payment Window
(Rev. 2373, Issued: 12-21-11, Effective: 01-01-12, Implementation: 01-03-12)
In accordance with section 102(a)(1) of the PACMBPRA, for outpatient services
furnished on or after June 25, 2010, the technical portion of all nondiagnostic services,
other than ambulance and maintenance renal dialysis services, provided by the hospital
(or an entity wholly owned or wholly operated by the hospital) on the date of a
beneficiary’s inpatient admission are deemed related to the admission and thus, must be
included on the bill for the inpatient stay. Also, the technical portion of outpatient
nondiagnostic services, other than ambulance and maintenance renal dialysis services,
provided by the hospital (or an entity wholly owned or wholly operated by the hospital)
on the first, second, and the third calendar days (1 calendar day for a nonsubsection (d)
hospital) immediately preceding the date of admission are deemed related to the
admission and, therefore, must be billed with the inpatient stay, unless the nondiagnostic
services are unrelated to the inpatient hospital claim (that is, the preadmission
nondiagnostic services are clinically distinct or independent from the reason for the
beneficiary’s inpatient admission). In such cases, the unrelated outpatient hospital
nondiagnostic services are covered by Medicare Part B, and the hospital or wholly owned
or wholly operated physician practice shall include the technical portion of the services in
their billing. PACMBPRA did not change the requirement that the technical portion of all
diagnostic services provided by the hospital (or entity wholly owned or wholly operated
by the hospital) occurring on the date of an inpatient admission, or during the 3 calendar
days (or 1 calendar day) immediately preceding the date of an inpatient admission must
be billed with the inpatient admission.
Implementation of the 3-day Payment Window Policy in Wholly Owned or
Operated Entities
Wholly owned or wholly operated entities are subject to the 3-day (or 1-day) payment
window policy when they furnish preadmission diagnostic services to a patient, who is
later admitted as an inpatient on the same day or within the preceding 3 calendar days
(preceding1 calendar day), or when they furnish preadmission nondiagnostic services to a
patient, who is later admitted as an inpatient on the same day or within the preceding 3
calendar days (preceding 1 calendar day) for related medical care. Only unrelated
nondiagnostic preadmission services are not subject to the payment window policy,
where unrelated preadmission nondiagnostic services are clinically distinct or
independent from the reason for the beneficiary's inpatient admission and are furnished
on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd calendar day immediately preceding the date of the inpatient
admission. (Note: nondiagnostic services furnished by a wholly owned or wholly
operated physician practice on the date of a beneficiary’s inpatient admission to the
hospital are always deemed to be related to the admission and their technical portion must
be included on the bill for the inpatient admission.) When an entity that is wholly owned
or wholly operated by a hospital furnishes a service subject to the 3-day window policy,
Medicare will pay the professional component of services with payment rates that include
a professional and technical split and at the facility rate for services that do not have a
professional and technical split. Once the entity has received confirmation of a
beneficiary’s inpatient admission from the admitting hospital, they shall, for services
furnished during the three-day window, append a CMS payment modifier to all claim
lines for diagnostic services and for those nondiagnostic services that have been
identified as related to the inpatient stay. Physician nondiagnostic services that are
unrelated to the hospital admission are not subject to the payment window and shall be
billed without the payment modifier.
Definition of Wholly Owned or Wholly Operated Entities
Wholly owned or wholly operated entities are defined in 42 CFR §412.2; "An entity is
wholly owned by the hospital if the hospital is the sole owner of the entity.” And, “an
entity is wholly operated by a hospital if the hospital has exclusive responsibility for
conducting and overseeing the entity’s routine operations, regardless of whether the
hospital also has policymaking authority over the entity."
90.7.1 - Payment Methodology: 3-Day Payment Window in Wholly
Owned or Wholly Operated Entities (including Physician Practices and
Clinics)
(Rev. 2373, Issued: 12-21-11, Effective: 01-01-12, Implementation: 01-03-12)
CMS has established HCPCS payment modifier PD (Diagnostic or related nondiagnostic
item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated physician office to a patient who
is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days), and requires that the modifier be appended to
the physician preadmission diagnostic and admission-related nondiagnostic services,
reported with HCPCS/CPT codes, which are subject to the 3-day payment window
policy. The wholly owned or wholly operated physician’s office will need to manage
their billing processes to ensure that they bill for their physician services appropriately
when a related inpatient admission has occurred. The hospital is responsible for notifying
the practice of an inpatient admissions for a patient who received services in a wholly
owned or wholly operated physician office within the 3-day (or, when appropriate,1-day)
payment window prior to the inpatient stay. The modifier is effective for claims with
dates of service on or after January 1, 2012. Wholly owned or wholly operated per their
readiness to do so. Entities have the discretion to apply these policies for claims with
dates of service on and after January 1, 2012, but shall comply with these polices no later
than July 1. 2012.
When the modifier is present on claims for service CMS shall pay
• only the Professional Component (PC) for CPT/HCPCS codes with a
Technical Component (TC)/PC split that are provided in the 3-day (or, in
the case of non-IPPS hospitals, 1-day) payment window, and
• The facility rate for codes without a TC/PC split.
Global Surgical Services and the 3-day Payment Window Policy
We note that the time frames associated with 10 and 90 day global surgical packages
could overlap with the 3-day (or 1-day) payment window policy. The 3-day payment
window makes no change in billing surgical services according to global surgical rules,
and pre- and post-operative services continue to be included in the payment for the
surgery. However, there may be times when the surgery itself is subject to the three-day
window policy, as would occur if the surgery were performed within the three-day
window. For example, a patient could have a minor surgery in a wholly owned or wholly
operated physician office and then, due to a complication, be admitted to the hospital as
an inpatient. In such cases the modifier shall be appended to the appropriate surgical
HCPCS/CPT code.
100 - Teaching Physician Services
(Rev. 811, Issued: 01-13-06, Effective: 01-01-06, Implementation: 02-13-06)
Definitions
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply.
Resident - An individual who participates in an approved graduate medical education
(GME) program or a physician who is not in an approved GME program but who is
authorized to practice only in a hospital setting. The term includes interns and fellows in
GME programs recognized as approved for purposes of direct GME payments made by
the FI. Receiving a staff or faculty appointment or participating in a fellowship does not
by itself alter the status of "resident". Additionally, this status remains unaffected
regardless of whether a hospital includes the physician in its full time equivalency count
of residents.
Student - An individual who participates in an accredited educational program (e.g., a
medical school) that is not an approved GME program. A student is never considered to
be an intern or a resident. Medicare does not pay for any service furnished by a student.
See §100.1.1B for a discussion concerning E/M service documentation performed by
students.
Teaching Physician - A physician (other than another resident) who involves residents in
the care of his or her patients.
Direct Medical and Surgical Services - Services to individual beneficiaries that are
either personally furnished by a physician or furnished by a resident under the
supervision of a physician in a teaching hospital making the reasonable cost election for
physician services furnished in teaching hospitals. All payments for such services are
made by the A/B MAC (A) for the hospital.
Teaching Hospital - A hospital engaged in an approved GME residency program in
medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or podiatry.
Teaching Setting - Any provider, hospital-based provider, or nonprovider setting in
which Medicare payment for the services of residents is made by the A/B MAC (A)
under the direct graduate medical education payment methodology or freestanding SNF
or HHA in which such payments are made on a reasonable cost basis.
Critical or Key Portion - That part (or parts) of a service that the teaching physician
determines is (are) a critical or key portion(s). For purposes of this section, these terms
are interchangeable.
Documentation - Notes recorded in the patient's medical records by a resident, and/or
teaching physician or others as outlined in the specific situations below regarding the
service furnished. Documentation may be dictated and typed or hand-written, or
computer-generated and typed or handwritten. Documentation must be dated and include
a legible signature or identity. Pursuant to 42 CFR 415.172 (b), documentation must
identify, at a minimum, the service furnished, the participation of the teaching physician
in providing the service, and whether the teaching physician was physically present.
In the context of an electronic medical record, the term 'macro' means a command in a
computer or dictation application that automatically generates predetermined text that is
not edited by the user.
When using an electronic medical record, it is acceptable for the teaching physician to
use a macro as the required personal documentation if the teaching physician adds it
personally in a secured (password protected) system. In addition to the teaching
physician’s macro, either the resident or the teaching physician must provide customized
information that is sufficient to support a medical necessity determination. The note in
the electronic medical record must sufficiently describe the specific services furnished to
the specific patient on the specific date. It is insufficient documentation if both the
resident and the teaching physician use macros only.
Physically Present - The teaching physician is located in the same room (or partitioned
or curtained area, if the room is subdivided to accommodate multiple patients) as the
patient and/or performs a face-to-face service.
100.1 - Payment for Physician Services in Teaching Settings Under the
MPFS
(Rev. 811, Issued: 01-13-06, Effective: 01-01-06, Implementation: 02-13-06)
Pursuant to 42 CFR 415.170, services furnished in teaching settings are paid under the
physician fee schedule if the services are:
• Personally furnished by a physician who is not a resident;
• Furnished by a resident where a teaching physician was physically present
during the critical or key portions of the service; or
• Certain E/M services furnished by a resident under the conditions contained in
§100.01.C.
In all situations, the services of the resident are payable through either the direct GME
payment or reasonable cost payments made by the A/B MAC (A).
100.1.1 - Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services
(Rev. 2303, Issued: 09-14-11, Effective: 06-01-11, Implementation: 07-26-11)
A. General Documentation Instructions and Common Scenarios
Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services -- For a given encounter, the selection of the
appropriate level of E/M service should be determined according to the code definitions
in the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and any
applicable documentation guidelines.
For purposes of payment, E/M services billed by teaching physicians require that they
personally document at least the following:
• That they performed the service or were physically present during the key or
critical portions of the service when performed by the resident; and
• The participation of the teaching physician in the management of the patient.
When assigning codes to services billed by teaching physicians, reviewers will combine
the documentation of both the resident and the teaching physician.
Documentation by the resident of the presence and participation of the teaching physician
is not sufficient to establish the presence and participation of the teaching physician.
On medical review, the combined entries into the medical record by the teaching
physician and the resident constitute the documentation for the service and together must
support the medical necessity of the service.
Following are four common scenarios for teaching physicians providing E/M services:
Scenario 1:
The teaching physician personally performs all the required elements of an E/M service
without a resident. In this scenario the resident may or may not have performed the E/M
service independently.
In the absence of a note by a resident, the teaching physician must document as he/she
would document an E/M service in a nonteaching setting.
Where a resident has written notes, the teaching physician’s note may reference the
resident’s note. The teaching physician must document that he/she performed the critical
or key portion(s) of the service, and that he/she was directly involved in the management
of the patient. For payment, the composite of the teaching physician’s entry and the
resident’s entry together must support the medical necessity of the billed service and the
level of the service billed by the teaching physician.
Scenario 2:
The resident performs the elements required for an E/M service in the presence of, or
jointly with, the teaching physician and the resident documents the service. In this case,
the teaching physician must document that he/she was present during the performance of
the critical or key portion(s) of the service and that he/she was directly involved in the
management of the patient. The teaching physician’s note should reference the resident’s
note. For payment, the composite of the teaching physician’s entry and the resident’s
entry together must support the medical necessity and the level of the service billed by
the teaching physician.
Scenario 3:
The resident performs some or all of the required elements of the service in the absence
of the teaching physician and documents his/her service. The teaching physician
independently performs the critical or key portion(s) of the service with or without the
resident present and, as appropriate, discusses the case with the resident. In this instance,
the teaching physician must document that he/she personally saw the patient, personally
performed critical or key portions of the service, and participated in the management of
the patient. The teaching physician’s note should reference the resident’s note. For
payment, the composite of the teaching physician’s entry and the resident’s entry together
must support the medical necessity of the billed service and the level of the service billed
by the teaching physician.
Scenario 4:
When a medical resident admits a patient to a hospital late at night and the teaching
physician does not see the patient until later, including the next calendar day:
• The teaching physician must document that he/she personally saw the patient and
participated in the management of the patient. The teaching physician may
reference the resident's note in lieu of re-documenting the history of present
illness, exam, medical decision-making, review of systems and/or past
family/social history provided that the patient's condition has not changed, and the
teaching physician agrees with the resident's note.
• The teaching physician's note must reflect changes in the patient's condition and
clinical course that require that the resident's note be amended with further
information to address the patient’s condition and course at the time the patient is
seen personally by the teaching physician.
• The teaching physician’s bill must reflect the date of service he/she saw the
patient and his/her personal work of obtaining a history, performing a physical,
and participating in medical decision-making regardless of whether the
combination of the teaching physician’s and resident’s documentation satisfies
criteria for a higher level of service. For payment, the composite of the teaching
physician’s entry and the resident’s entry together must support the medical
necessity of the billed service and the level of the service billed by the teaching
physician.
Following are examples of minimally acceptable documentation for each of these
scenarios:
Scenario 1:
Admitting Note: “I performed a history and physical examination of the patient and
discussed his management with the resident. I reviewed the resident’s note and agree
with the documented findings and plan of care.”
Follow-up Visit: “Hospital Day #3. I saw and evaluated the patient. I agree with the
findings and the plan of care as documented in the resident’s note.”
Follow-up Visit: “Hospital Day #5. I saw and examined the patient. I agree with the
resident’s note except the heart murmur is louder, so I will obtain an echo to evaluate.”
(NOTE: In this scenario if there are no resident notes, the teaching physician must
document as he/she would document an E/M service in a non-teaching setting.)
Scenario 2:
Initial or Follow-up Visit: “I was present with the resident during the history and exam.
I discussed the case with the resident and agree with the findings and plan as documented
in the resident’s note.”
Follow-up Visit: “I saw the patient with the resident and agree with the resident’s
findings and plan.”
Scenarios 3 and 4:
Initial Visit: “I saw and evaluated the patient. I reviewed the resident’s note and agree,
except that picture is more consistent with pericarditis than myocardial ischemia. Will
begin NSAIDs.”
Initial or Follow-up Visit: “I saw and evaluated the patient. Discussed with resident and
agree with resident’s findings and plan as documented in the resident’s note.”
Follow-up Visit: “See resident’s note for details. I saw and evaluated the patient and
agree with the resident’s finding and plans as written.”
Follow-up Visit: “I saw and evaluated the patient. Agree with resident’s note but lower
extremities are weaker, now 3/5; MRI of L/S Spine today.”
Following are examples of unacceptable documentation:
“Agree with above.”, followed by legible countersignature or identity;
“Rounded, Reviewed, Agree.”, followed by legible countersignature or identity;
“Discussed with resident. Agree.”, followed by legible countersignature or identity;
“Seen and agree.”, followed by legible countersignature or identity;
“Patient seen and evaluated.”, followed by legible countersignature or identity; and
A legible countersignature or identity alone.
Such documentation is not acceptable, because the documentation does not make it
possible to determine whether the teaching physician was present, evaluated the patient,
and/or had any involvement with the plan of care.
B. E/M Service Documentation Provided By Students
Any contribution and participation of a student to the performance of a billable service
(other than the review of systems and/or past family/social history which are not
separately billable, but are taken as part of an E/M service) must be performed in the
physical presence of a teaching physician or physical presence of a resident in a service
meeting the requirements set forth in this section for teaching physician billing.
Students may document services in the medical record. However, the documentation of
an E/M service by a student that may be referred to by the teaching physician is limited to
documentation related to the review of systems and/or past family/social history. The
teaching physician may not refer to a student’s documentation of physical exam findings
or medical decision making in his or her personal note. If the medical student documents
E/M services, the teaching physician must verify and redocument the history of present
illness as well as perform and redocument the physical exam and medical decision
making activities of the service.
C. Exception for E/M Services Furnished in Certain Primary Care Centers
Teaching physicians providing E/M services with a GME program granted a primary care
exception may bill Medicare for lower and mid-level E/M services provided by residents.
For the E/M codes listed below, teaching physicians may submit claims for services
furnished by residents in the absence of a teaching physician:
New Patient
Established Patient
99201
99211
99202
99212
99203
99213
Effective January 1, 2005, the following code is included under the primary care
exception: HCPCS code G0402 (Initial preventive physical examination; face-to-face
visit services limited to new beneficiary during the first 12 months of Medicare
enrollment).
Effective January 1, 2011, the following codes are included under the primary care
exception: HCPCS codes G0438 (Annual wellness visit, including personal preventive
plan service, first visit) and G0439 (Annual wellness visit, including personal preventive
plan service, subsequent visit).
If a service other than those listed above needs to be furnished, then the general teaching
physician policy set forth in §100.1 applies. For this exception to apply, a center must
attest in writing that all the following conditions are met for a particular residency
program. Prior approval is not necessary, but centers exercising the primary care
exception must maintain records demonstrating that they qualify for the exception.
The services must be furnished in a center located in the outpatient department of a
hospital or another ambulatory care entity in which the time spent by residents in patient
care activities is included in determining direct GME payments to a teaching hospital by
the hospital’s A/B MAC (A). This requirement is not met when the resident is assigned
to a physician’s office away from the center or makes home visits. In the case of a
nonhospital entity, verify with the A/B MAC (A) that the entity meets the requirements
of a written agreement between the hospital and the entity set forth at 42 CFR
413.78(e)(3)(ii).
Under this exception, residents providing the billable patient care service without the
physical presence of a teaching physician must have completed at least 6 months of a
GME approved residency program. Centers must maintain information under the
provisions at 42 CFR 413.79(a)(6).
Teaching physicians submitting claims under this exception may not supervise more than
four residents at any given time and must direct the care from such proximity as to
constitute immediate availability. Teaching physicians may include residents with less
than 6 months in a GME approved residency program in the mix of four residents under
the teaching physician’s supervision. However, the teaching physician must be
physically present for the critical or key portions of services furnished by the residents
with less than 6 months in a GME approved residency program. That is, the primary care
exception does not apply in the case of residents with less than 6 months in a GME
approved residency program.
Teaching physicians submitting claims under this exception must:
• Not have other responsibilities (including the supervision of other personnel) at
the time the service was provided by the resident;
• Have the primary medical responsibility for patients cared for by the residents;
• Ensure that the care provided was reasonable and necessary;
• Review the care provided by the resident during or immediately after each visit.
This must include a review of the patient’s medical history, the resident’s findings
on physical examination, the patient’s diagnosis, and treatment plan (i.e., record
of tests and therapies); and
• Document the extent of his/her own participation in the review and direction of
the services furnished to each patient.
Patients under this exception should consider the center to be their primary location for
health care services. The residents must be expected to generally provide care to the
same group of established patients during their residency training. The types of services
furnished by residents under this exception include:
• Acute care for undifferentiated problems or chronic care for ongoing conditions
including chronic mental illness;
• Coordination of care furnished by other physicians and providers; and,
• Comprehensive care not limited by organ system or diagnosis.
Residency programs most likely qualifying for this exception include family practice,
general internal medicine, geriatric medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology.
Certain GME programs in psychiatry may qualify in special situations such as when the
program furnishes comprehensive care for chronically mentally ill patients. These would
be centers in which the range of services the residents are trained to furnish, and actually
do furnish, include comprehensive medical care as well as psychiatric care. For example,
antibiotics are being prescribed as well as psychotropic drugs.
100.1.2 - Surgical Procedures
(Rev. 2303, Issued: 09-14-11, Effective: 06-01-11, Implementation: 07-26-11)
In order to bill for surgical, high-risk, or other complex procedures, the teaching
physician must be present during all critical and key portions of the procedure and be
immediately available to furnish services during the entire procedure.
A. Surgery (Including Endoscopic Operations)
The teaching surgeon is responsible for the preoperative, operative, and postoperative
care of the beneficiary. The teaching physician’s presence is not required during the
opening and closing of the surgical field unless these activities are considered to be
critical or key portions of the procedure. The teaching surgeon determines which
postoperative visits are considered key or critical and require his or her presence. If the
postoperative period extends beyond the patient’s discharge and the teaching surgeon is
not providing the patient’s follow-up care, then instructions on billing for less than the
global package in §40 apply. During non-critical or non-key portions of the surgery, if
the teaching surgeon is not physically present, he/she must be immediately available to
return to the procedure, i.e., he/she cannot be performing another procedure. If
circumstances prevent a teaching physician from being immediately available, then
he/she must arrange for another qualified surgeon to be immediately available to assist
with the procedure, if needed.
1. Single Surgery
When the teaching surgeon is present for the entire surgery, his or her presence may be
demonstrated by notes in the medical records made by the physician, resident, or
operating room nurse. For purposes of this teaching physician policy, there is no required
information that the teaching surgeon must enter into the medical records.
2. Two Overlapping Surgeries
In order to bill Medicare for two overlapping surgeries, the teaching surgeon must be
present during the critical or key portions of both operations. Therefore, the critical or
key portions may not take place at the same time. When all of the key portions of the
initial procedure have been completed, the teaching surgeon may begin to become
involved in a second procedure. The teaching surgeon must personally document in the
medical record that he/she was physically present during the critical or key portion(s) of
both procedures. When a teaching physician is not present during non-critical or non-key
portions of the procedure and is participating in another surgical procedure, he/she must
arrange for another qualified surgeon to immediately assist the resident in the other case
should the need arise. In the case of three concurrent surgical procedures, the role of the
teaching surgeon (but not anesthesiologist) in each of the cases is classified as a
supervisory service to the hospital rather than a physician service to an individual patient
and is not payable under the physician fee schedule.
3. Minor Procedures
For procedures that take only a few minutes (five minutes or less) to complete, e.g.,
simple suture, and involve relatively little decision making once the need for the
operation is determined, the teaching surgeon must be present for the entire procedure in
order to bill for the procedure.
4. Anesthesia
Medicare pays at the regular fee schedule level if a teaching anesthesiologist is involved
in a single procedure with one resident. The teaching physician must document in the
medical records that he/she was present during all critical (or key) portions of the
procedure. The teaching physician’s physical presence during only the preoperative or
postoperative visits with the beneficiary is not sufficient to receive Medicare payment. If
an anesthesiologist is involved in concurrent procedures with more than one resident or
with a resident and a nonphysician anesthetist and the service is furnished prior to
January 1, 2010, Medicare pays for the anesthesiologist’s services as medical direction.
In those cases where the teaching anesthesiologist is involved in two concurrent
anesthesia cases with residents on or after January 1, 2004, the teaching anesthesiologist
may bill the usual base units and anesthesia time for the amount of time he/she is present
with the resident. The teaching anesthesiologist can bill base units if he/she is present
with the resident throughout pre and post anesthesia care. The teaching anesthesiologist
should use the “AA” modifier to report such cases. The teaching anesthesiologist must
document his/her involvement in cases with residents. The documentation must be
sufficient to support the payment of the fee and available for review upon request.
For anesthesia services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, payment may be made
under the Medicare physician fee schedule at the regular fee schedule level if the teaching
anesthesiologist is involved in the training of a resident in a single anesthesia case, two
concurrent anesthesia cases involving residents, or a single anesthesia case involving a
resident that is concurrent to another case paid under the medical direction rules. To
qualify for payment, the teaching anesthesiologist, or different anesthesiologists in the
same anesthesia group, must be present during all critical or key portions of the
anesthesia service or procedure involved. The teaching anesthesiologist (or another
anesthesiologist with whom the teaching physician has entered into an arrangement) must
be immediately available to furnish anesthesia services during the entire procedure. The
documentation in the patient’s medical records must indicate the teaching physician’s
presence during all critical or key portions of the anesthesia procedure and the immediate
availability of another teaching anesthesiologist as necessary.
If different teaching anesthesiologists are present with the resident during the key or
critical periods of the resident case, the NPI of the teaching anesthesiologist who started
the case must be indicated in the appropriate field on the claim form.
The teaching anesthesiologist should use the “AA” modifier and the “GC” certification
modifier to report such cases. See §50 B. and §0 K.
5. Endoscopy Procedures
To bill Medicare for endoscopic procedures (excluding endoscopic surgery that follows
the surgery policy in subsection A, above), the teaching physician must be present during
the entire viewing. The entire viewing starts at the time of insertion of the endoscope and
ends at the time of removal of the endoscope. Viewing of the entire procedure through a
monitor in another room does not meet the teaching physician presence requirement.
6. Interpretation of Diagnostic Radiology and Other Diagnostic Tests
Medicare pays for the interpretation of diagnostic radiology and other diagnostic tests if
the interpretation is performed by or reviewed with a teaching physician. If the teaching
physician’s signature is the only signature on the interpretation, Medicare assumes that
he/she is indicating that he/she personally performed the interpretation. If a resident
prepares and signs the interpretation, the teaching physician must indicate that he/she has
personally reviewed the image and the resident’s interpretation and either agrees with it
or edits the findings. Medicare does not pay for an interpretation if the teaching
physician only countersigns the resident’s interpretation.
100.1.3 - Psychiatry
(Rev. 811, Issued: 01-13-06, Effective: 01-01-06, Implementation: 02-13-06)
The general teaching physician policy set forth in §100.1 applies to psychiatric services.
For certain psychiatric services, the requirement for the presence of the teaching
physician during the service may be met by concurrent observation of the service by use
of a one-way mirror or video equipment. Audio-only equipment does not satisfy to the
physical presence requirement. In the case of time-based services such as individual
medical psychotherapy, see §100.1.4, below. Further, the teaching physician supervising
the resident must be a physician, i.e., the Medicare teaching physician policy does not
apply to psychologists who supervise psychiatry residents in approved GME programs.
100.1.4 - Time-Based Codes
(Rev. 811, Issued: 01-13-06, Effective: 01-01-06, Implementation: 02-13-06)
For procedure codes determined on the basis of time, the teaching physician must be
present for the period of time for which the claim is made. For example, a code that
specifically describes a service of from 20 to 30 minutes may be paid only if the teaching
physician is physically present for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not add time spent by the
resident in the absence of the teaching physician to time spent by the resident and
teaching physician with the beneficiary or time spent by the teaching physician alone
with the beneficiary. Examples of codes falling into this category include:
• Individual medical psychotherapy (HCPCS codes 90804 - 90829);
• Critical care services (CPT codes 99291-99292);
• Hospital discharge day management (CPT codes 99238-99239);
• E/M codes in which counseling and/or coordination of care dominates (more than
50 percent) of the encounter, and time is considered the key or controlling factor
to qualify for a particular level of E/M service;
• Prolonged services (CPT codes 99358-99359); and
• Care plan oversight (HCPCS codes G0181 - G0182).
100.1.5 - Other Complex or High-Risk Procedures
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
In the case of complex or high-risk procedures for which national Medicare policy, local
policy, or the CPT description indicate that the procedure requires personal (in person)
supervision of its performance by a physician, pay for the physician services associated
with the procedure only when the teaching physician is present with the resident. The
presence of the resident alone would not establish a basis for fee schedule payment for
such services. These procedures include interventional radiologic and cardiologic
supervision and interpretation codes, cardiac catheterization, cardiovascular stress tests,
and trans-esophageal echocardiography.
100.1.6 - Miscellaneous
(Rev. 1458, Issued: 02-22-08, Effective: 03-24-08, Implementation: 03-24-08)
In the case of maternity services furnished to women who are eligible for Medicare,
apply the physician presence requirement for both types of delivery as A/B MACs (B)
would for surgery. In order to bill for the procedure, the teaching physician must be
present for the delivery. These procedure codes are somewhat different from other
surgery codes in that there are separate codes for global obstetrical care (prepartum,
delivery, and postpartum) and for deliveries only. In situations in which the teaching
physician’s only involvement was at the time of delivery, the teaching physician should
bill the delivery only code. In order to bill for the global procedures, the teaching
physician must be present for the minimum indicated number of visits when such a
number is specified in the description of the code. This policy differs from the policy on
general surgical procedures under which the teaching physician is not required to be
present for a specified number of visits.
In the case of end stage renal related visits furnished under the monthly capitation
payment method (MCP), the physician presence policy as discussed in §100.1 applies.
Patient visits furnished by residents may be counted toward the MCP visits if the teaching
MCP physician is physically present during the visit. The teaching physician may utilize
the resident’s notes, however the teaching physician must document his or her physical
presence during the visit(s) furnished by the resident and that he or she reviewed the
resident’s notes. The teaching physician could document these criteria as part of an
extensive once a month MCP note.
100.1.7 - Assistants at Surgery in Teaching Hospitals
(Rev. 811, Issued: 01-13-06, Effective: 01-01-06, Implementation: 02-13-06)
A. General
A/B MACs (B) do not pay for the services of assistants at surgery furnished in a teaching
hospital which has a training program related to the medical specialty required for the
surgical procedure and has a qualified resident available to perform the service unless the
requirements of one of subsections C, D, or E are met. Each teaching hospital has a
different situation concerning numbers of residents, qualifications of residents, duties of
residents, and types of surgeries performed.
Contact those affected by these instructions to learn the circumstances in individual
teaching hospitals. There may be some teaching hospitals in which A/B MACs (B) can
apply a presumption about the availability of a qualified resident in a training program
related to the medical specialty required for the surgical procedures, but there are other
teaching hospitals in which there are often no qualified residents available. This may be
due to their involvement in other activities, complexity of the surgery, numbers of
residents in the program, or other valid reasons. A/B MACs (B) process assistant at
surgery claims for services furnished in teaching hospitals on the basis of the following
certification by the assistant, or through the use of modifier -82 which indicates that a
qualified resident surgeon was not available. This certification is for use only when the
basis for payment is the unavailability of qualified residents.
I understand that §1842(b)(7)(D) of the Act (follow the link and select the applicable
title) generally prohibits Medicare physician fee schedule payment for the services
of assistants at surgery in teaching hospitals when qualified residents are available to
furnish such services. I certify that the services for which payment is claimed were
medically necessary and that no qualified resident was available to perform the
services. I further understand that these services are subject to post-payment review
by the A/B MAC (B).
A/B MACs (B) retain the claim and certification for four years and conduct post-payment
reviews as necessary. For example, A/B MACs (B) investigate situations in which it is
always certified that there are no qualified residents available, and undertake recovery if
warranted.
Assistant at surgery claims denied based on these instructions do not qualify for payment
under the limitation on liability provision.
B. Definition
An assistant at surgery is a physician who actively assists the physician in charge of a
case in performing a surgical procedure. (Note that a nurse practitioner, physician
assistant or clinical nurse specialist who is authorized to provide such services under
State law can also serve as an assistant at surgery). The conditions for coverage of such
services in teaching hospitals are more restrictive than those in other settings because of
the availability of residents who are qualified to perform this type of service.
C. Exceptional Circumstances
Payment may be made for the services of assistants at surgery in teaching hospitals,
subject to the special limitation in §20.4.3 notwithstanding the availability of a qualified
resident to furnish the services. There may be exceptional medical circumstances (e.g.,
emergency, life-threatening situations such as multiple traumatic injuries) which require
immediate treatment. There may be other situations in which the medical staff may find
that exceptional medical circumstances justify the services of a physician assistant at
surgery even though a qualified resident is available.
D. Physicians Who Do Not Involve Residents in Patient Care
Payment may be made for the services of assistants at surgery in teaching hospitals,
subject to the limitations in §20.4.3, above, if the primary surgeon has an across-the-
board policy of never involving residents in the preoperative, operative, or postoperative
care of his or her patients. Generally, this exception is applied to community physicians
who have no involvement in the hospital’s GME program. In such situations, payment
may be made for reasonable and necessary services on the same basis as would be the
case in a nonteaching hospital. However, if the assistant is not a physician primarily
engaged in the field of surgery, no payment be made unless either of the criteria of
subsection E is met.
E. Multiple Physician Specialties Involved in Surgery
Complex medical procedures, including multistage transplant surgery and coronary
bypass, may require a team of physicians. In these situations, each of the physicians
performs a unique, discrete function requiring special skills integral to the total
procedure. Each physician is engaged in a level of activity different from assisting the
surgeon in charge of the case. The special payment limitation in §20.4.3 is not applied.
If payment is made on the basis of a single team fee, additional claims are denied. The
A/B MAC (B) will determine which procedures performed in the service area require a
team approach to surgery. Team surgery is paid for on a “By Report” basis.
The services of physicians of different specialties may be necessary during surgery when
each specialist is required to play an active role in the patient’s treatment because of the
existence of more than one medical condition requiring diverse, specialized medical
services. For example, a patient’s cardiac condition may require a cardiologist be present
to monitor the patient’s condition during abdominal surgery. In this type of situation, the
physician furnishing the concurrent care is functioning at a different level than that of an
assistant at surgery, and payment is made on a regular fee schedule basis.
100.1.8 - Physician Billing in the Teaching Setting
(Rev. 2303, Issued: 09-14-11, Effective: 06-01-11, Implementation: 07-26-11)
A. A/B MAC (B) Claims
The method by which services performed in a teaching setting must be billed is
determined by the manner in which reimbursement is made for such services. For A/B
MACs (B), the shared system suspends claims submitted by a teaching physician, for
review.
B. Billing Modifiers
Effective January 1, 1997, services furnished by teaching physicians involving a resident
in the care of their patients must be identified as such on the claim. To be payable,
claims for services furnished by teaching physicians involving a resident must comply
with the requirements in sections 100.1 through 100.1.6 of this chapter, as applicable.
Claims for services meeting these requirements must show either the GC or GE modifier
as appropriate and described below.
1. Teaching Physician Services that Meet the Requirement for Presence During the
Key/Critical Portion of the Service
Claims for teaching physician services in compliance with the requirements outlined in
sections 100.1 -100.1.6 of this chapter must include a GC modifier for each service,
unless the service is furnished under the primary care center exception described in
section 100.1.1C (refer to number 2, below). When a physician (or other appropriate
billing provider) places the GC modifier on the claim, he/she is certifying that the
teaching physician has complied with the requirements in sections 100.1 through 100.1.6.
2. Teaching Physician Services Under the Exception for E/M Services Furnished in
Primary Care Centers
Teaching physicians who meet the requirements in section 100.1.1C of this chapter must
provide their A/B MAC (B) with an attestation that they meet the requirements. Claims
for services furnished by teaching physicians under the primary care center exception
must include the GE modifier on the claim for each service furnished under the primary
care center exception.
100.2 - Interns and Residents
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-2020.8, B3-8030
An attending physician’s services to beneficiaries in a teaching setting are covered under
the supplementary medical insurance program. Many physicians rendering such services
are on the faculty of a medical school or have arrangements with providers to supervise
and teach interns and residents. Payment may be made for professional services to a
beneficiary by an “attending” physician where the attending physician provides personal
identifiable direction to interns or residents who are participating in the care of this
patient.
See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, for services furnished by interns
and residents within and outside the scope of an approved training program.
110 - Physician Assistant (PA) Services Payment Methodology
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
See chapter 15, section 190 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, pub. 100-02, for
coverage policy for physician assistant (PA) services.
Physician assistant services are paid at 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85
percent of what a physician is paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. There is
a separate payment policy for paying for PA assistant-at-surgery services. See section
110.2 of this chapter.
110.1 - Global Surgical Payments
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
When a PA furnishes services to a patient during a global surgical period, A/B MACs (B)
shall determine the level of PA involvement in furnishing part of the surgeon’s global
surgical package consistent with their current practice for processing such claims. PA
services furnished during a global surgical period shall be paid at 80 percent of the lesser
of the actual charge or 85 percent of what a physician is paid under the Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule. Billing requirements and adjudication of claims requirements
for global surgeries are under chapter 12, sections 40.2 and 40.4 of the Medicare Claims
Processing Manual, pub. 100-04.
110.2 - Limitations for Assistant-at-Surgery Services Furnished by
Physician Assistants
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
Medicare law at section 1833(a)(1)(O) of the Social Security Act authorizes payment for
services that a PA furnishes as an assistant-at-surgery. Specifically, when a PA actively
assists a physician in performing a surgical procedure and furnishes more than just
ancillary services, the PA’s services are eligible for payment as assistant-at-surgery
services. For additional policy requirements concerning assistant-at-surgery services
furnished by physicians and nonphysician practitioners, see chapter 12, section 20.4.3 of
the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, pub. 100-04.
The A/B MAC (B) shall pay covered PA assistant-at-surgery services at 80 percent of the
lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of what a physician is paid under the Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule. Since physicians are paid at 16 percent of the surgical payment
amount under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for assistant-at-surgery services, the
actual payment amount that PAs receive for assistant-at-surgery services is 13.6 percent
of the amount paid to physicians.
The AS modifier must be reported on the claim form when billing PA assistant-at-surgery
services.
110.3 - Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
In general, payment for covered PA services is made at 80 percent of the lesser of the
actual charge or 85 percent of what a physician is paid under the Medicare Physician Fee
Schedule. The A/B MAC (B) must apply the outpatient mental health treatment
limitation (the limitation) to all covered mental health therapeutic services furnished by
PAs.
Refer to §210 below for a complete discussion of the limitation.
110.4 - PA Billing to the A/B MAC (B)
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
A. PA Identification
PAs must have their own “nonphysician practitioner” national provider identification
number (NPI) number. This NPI is used for identification purposes only when billing for
PA services, because only an appropriate PA employer or, a provider/supplier for whom
the PA furnishes services as an independent contractor can bill for PA services. Specialty
code 97 applies for PAs enrolled in Medicare.
B. Assignment Requirement
All claims for PA services must be made on an assignment basis. If any person or entity
(PA employer or, a provider/supplier for whom the PA furnishes services as an
independent contractor) knowingly and willfully bills the beneficiary an amount in excess
of the appropriate coinsurance and deductible, the responsible party is subject to a civil
monetary penalty not to exceed $2,000 for each such bill or request for payment.
120 - Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Services Payment Methodology
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
See chapter 15, sections 200 and 210 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, pub. 100-
02, for coverage policy for NP and CNS services.
A. General Payment
In general, NPs and CNSs are paid for covered services at 80 percent of the lesser of the
actual charge or 85 percent of what a physician is paid under the Medicare Physician Fee
Schedule. There is a separate payment policy for paying for NP and CNS assistant-at-
surgery services. See section 120.1 of this chapter.
B. Global Surgical Payments
When a NP or CNS furnish services to a patient during a global surgical period, A/B
MACs (B) shall determine the level of NP or CNS involvement in furnishing part of the
surgeon’s global surgical package consistent with their current practice for processing
such claims. NP or CNS services furnished during a global surgical period shall be paid
at 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of what a physician is paid
under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Billing requirements and adjudication of
claims requirements for global surgeries are under chapter 12, sections 40.2 and 40.4 of
the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04.
120.1 - Limitations for Assistant-at-Surgery Services Furnished by
Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
Medicare law at section 1833(a)(1)(O) of the Social Security Act authorizes payment for
services that NPs and CNSs furnish as an assistant-at-surgery. Specifically, when a NP
or CNS actively assists a physician in performing a surgical procedure and furnishes
more than just ancillary services, the NP’s and CNSs’ services are eligible for payment as
assistant-at-surgery services. For additional policy requirements concerning assistant-at-
surgery services furnished by physicians and nonphysician practitioners, see chapter 12,
section 20.4.3 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04.
The A/B MAC (B) shall pay covered NP and CNS assistant-at-surgery services at 80
percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the 16 percent that a physician
is paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Since physicians are paid at 16
percent of the surgical payment amount under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for
assistant-at-surgery services, the actual payment amount that NPs and CNSs receive for
assistant-at-surgery services is 13.6 percent of the amount paid to physicians.
Only the AS modifier must be reported on the claim form when a NP or CNS bills
assistant-at-surgery services.
120.2 - Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
The A/B MAC (B) must apply the outpatient mental health treatment limitation (the
limitation) to all covered mental health therapeutic services furnished by NPs and CNSs.
Refer to §210, below, for a discussion of the limitation.
120.3 - NP and CNS Billing to the A/B MAC (B)
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
A. NP and CNS Identification
NPs and CNSs must have their own “nonphysician practitioner” national provider
identification (NPI) number for billing purposes. NPs enrolling in Medicare use specialty
code 50 and CNSs use specialty code 89.
B. Assignment Requirement
All claims for NP and CNS services must be made on an assignment basis. Payment may
be made directly to a NP or CNS for their professional services when furnished in
collaboration with a physician. If any person or entity (employer, NP or CNS) knowingly
and willfully bills the beneficiary an amount in excess of the appropriate coinsurance and
deductible, the responsible party is subject to a civil monetary penalty not to exceed
$2,000 for each such bill or request for payment.
130 - Nurse-Midwife Services
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-16004, 5257
See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, for coverage policy for nurse-
midwife services.
130.1 - Payment for Certified Nurse-Midwife Services
(Rev. 2024, Issued: 08-06-10, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 01-03-11)
Payment for certified nurse-midwife (CNM) services is made directly to CNMs for their
professional services, and for services furnished incident to their professional services.
Also, CNMs are required to accept assigned payment for their services. Accordingly,
when CNMs bill for their services under specialty code 42, billing does not have to flow
through a physician or facility unless the CNM reassigns their benefits to another billing
entity. For reassigned CNM services, the entity bills for CNM services using the
specialty code 42 to signify that payment for CNM services is being claimed.
Prior to December 31, 1991, Medicare Part B payment for CNM services was made at 80
percent of the lesser of the actual charge or, under a fee schedule that did not exceed 65
percent of the prevailing charge. This payment methodology changed and effective
January 1, 1992, until December 31, 2010, payment for CNM services is made at 80
percent of the lesser of the actual charge, or 65 percent of the physician fee schedule
amount for the same service performed by a physician. However, effective on and after
January 1, 2011, payment for CNM services is made at 80 percent of the lesser of the
actual charge, or 100 percent of the physician fee schedule amount for the same service
performed by a physician.
Payment for covered drugs and biologicals furnished incident to CNMs’ services is made
according to the Part B drug/biological payment methodology. Covered clinical
diagnostic lab services furnished by CNMs are paid according to the clinical diagnostic
lab fee schedule. Also, when CNMs furnish outpatient treatment services for mental
illnesses, these services could be subject to the outpatient mental health treatment
limitation (the limitation). The appropriate percentage payment reduction under the
limitation is applied first to the approved amount for the mental health treatment services
before the actual payment amount is determined for the CNMs’ services. Please refer to
§210 of this manual to determine the appropriate percentage payment reduction under the
limitation.
130.2 - Global Allowances
(Rev. 2024, Issued: 08-06-10, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 01-03-11)
When a certified nurse-midwife is providing most of the care to a Medicare beneficiary
that is part of a global service and a physician also provides a portion of the care for this
same global service, the fee paid to the CNM for his or her care is based on the portion of
the global fee that would have been paid to the physician for the care provided by the
CNM.
For example, a CNM requests that the physician examine the beneficiary prior to
delivery. The CNM has furnished the ante partum care and intends to perform the
delivery and post partum care. The physician fee schedule amount for the physician’s
total obstetrical care (global fee) is $1, 000. The physician fee schedule amount for the
physician’s office visit is $30. The following calculation shows the maximum allowance
for the CNM’s service:
Physician fee schedule amount for total obstetrical care
$1,000.00
Physician fee schedule amount for visit
- $30.00
Result
$ 970.00
Fee schedule amount for certified nurse-midwife (65% x $970,
effective January 1, 1992 thru December 31, 2010.)
$ 630.50
Fee schedule amount for certified nurse-midwife (100% x 970,
effective January 1, 2011.)
$970.00
Therefore, the certified nurse-midwife would be paid no more than 80 percent of
$630.50, or
80 percent of $970.00 for services furnished on or after January 1, 2011, for the care of
the beneficiary.
This calculation also applies when a physician provides most of the services and calls in a
certified nurse-midwife to provide a portion of the care.
Physicians and certified nurse-midwives use reduced service modifiers to report that they
have not provided all the services covered by the global allowance.
140 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist Services
(Rev. 2716, Issued: 05-30-13, Effective: 01-01-13, Implementation: 02-12-13)
Section 9320 of OBRA 1986 provides for payment under a fee schedule to certified
registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesia assistants (AAs). CRNAs and AAs
may bill Medicare directly for their services or have payment made to an employer or an
entity under which they have a contract. This could be a hospital, physician or ASC.
This provision is effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 1989.
Anesthesia services are subject to the usual Part B coinsurance and deductible and when
furnished on or after January 1, 1992 by a qualified nonphysician anesthetist are paid at
the lesser of the actual charge, the physician fee schedule, or the CRNA fee schedule.
For services furnished after January 1, 1996, when separate conversion factors for
CRNAs were eliminated, anesthesia services furnished by a qualified nonphysician
anesthetist are paid at the lesser of the actual charge, the physician fee schedule, or the
anesthesia fee schedule. Payment for qualified nonphysician anesthetist services is made
only on an assignment basis.
140.1 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetists
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
For payment purposes, the term “qualified nonphysician anesthetist” is used to
refer to both certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesiologists’
assistants unless otherwise separately discussed.
An anesthesiologist’s assistant means a person who:
• Works under the direction of an anesthesiologist;
• Is in compliance with all applicable requirements of State law, including
any licensure requirements the state imposes on nonphysician anesthetists;
and
• Is a graduate of a medical school based anesthesiologist assistant
educational program that –
o Is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and
Accreditation;
And
o Includes approximately two years of specialized basic science and
clinical education in anesthesia at a level that builds on a
premedical undergraduate science background.
A CRNA is a registered nurse who:
• is licensed as a registered professional nurse by the State in which the
nurse practices;
• Meets any licensure requirements the State imposes with respect to
nonphysician anesthetists;
• Has graduated from a nurse anesthesia educational program that meets the
standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs;
and
• Meets the following criteria:
o Has passed a certification examination of the Council on
Certification of Nurse Anesthetists or the Council on Recertification
of Nurse Anesthetists;
Or
o Is a graduate of a nurse anesthesia educational program that meets the
standards of the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia
Educational Programs, and within 24 months of graduation, has passed
a certification examination of the Council on Certification of Nurse
Anesthetists or the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.
140.2 - Entity or Individual to Whom Fee Schedule is Payable
for Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetists
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
Payment for the services of a qualified nonphysician anesthetist may be made directly
to the qualified nonphysician anesthetist who furnished the anesthesia services or to a
hospital, physician, group practice, or ASC with which the qualified nonphysician
anesthetist has an employment or contractual relationship.
140.3 - Anesthesia Fee Schedule Payment for Qualified
Nonphysician Anesthetists
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
Payment for the services furnished by qualified nonphysician anesthetists are subject to
the usual Part B coinsurance and deductible, and are made only on an assignment
basis. The assignment agreed to by the qualified nonphysician anesthetist is binding
upon any other person or entity claiming payment for the service. Except for deductible
and coinsurance amounts, any person who knowingly and willfully presents or causes
to be presented to a Medicare beneficiary a bill or request for payment for services of a
qualified nonphysician anesthetist for which payment may be made on an assignment-
related basis is subject to civil monetary penalties.
The fee schedule for anesthesia services furnished by qualified nonphysician
anesthetists is the least of 80 percent of:
• The actual charge;
• The applicable locality anesthesia conversion factor multiplied by the sum
of allowable base and time units.
140.3.1 - Conversion Factors Used for Qualified Nonphysician
Anesthetists
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
The conversion factors applicable to anesthesia services are increased by the update
factor used to update physicians’ services under the physician fee schedule. They are
generally published in November of the year preceding the year in which they apply.
140.3.2 - Anesthesia Time and Calculation of Anesthesia Time Units
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
Anesthesia time means the time during which a qualified nonphysician anesthetist is
present with the patient. It starts when the qualified nonphysician anesthetist begins to
prepare the patient for anesthesia services in the operating room or an equivalent area
and ends when the qualified nonphysician anesthetist is no longer furnishing anesthesia
services to the patient, that is, when the patient may be placed safely under
postoperative care. Anesthesia time is a continuous time period from the start of
anesthesia to the end of an anesthesia service. In counting anesthesia time, the qualified
nonphysician anesthetist can add blocks of time around an interruption in anesthesia
time as long as the qualified nonphysician anesthetist is furnishing continuous
anesthesia care within the time periods around the interruption.
140.3.3 - Billing Modifiers
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
The following modifiers are used by qualified nonphysician anesthetists when
billing for anesthesia services:
• QX – Qualified nonphysician anesthetist service: With medical direction by a
physician.
• QZ – CRNA service: Without medical direction by a physician.
• QS – Monitored anesthesia care services
• NOTE: The QS modifier can be used by a physician or a qualified nonphysician
anesthetist and is for informational purposes. Providers must report actual
anesthesia time and one of the payment modifiers on the claim.
140.3.4 - General Billing Instructions
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
Claims for reimbursement for qualified nonphysician anesthetist services should be
completed in accordance with existing billing instructions for anesthesiologists
with the following additions.
• If an employer-physician furnishes concurrent medical direction for a procedure
involving CRNAs and the medical direction service is unassigned, the
physician should bill on an assigned basis on a separate claim for the qualified
nonphysician anesthetist service. If the physician is participating or takes
assignment, both services should be billed on one claim but as separate line
items.
• All claims forms must have the provider billing number of the qualified
nonphysician anesthetist and/or the employer of the qualified nonphysician
anesthetist performing the service in either block 24.H of the Form CMS-1500
and/or block 31 as applicable. Verify that the billing number is valid before
making payment.
Payments should be calculated in accordance with Medicare payment rules in
§140.3. The A/B MAC must institute all necessary payment edits to assure that
duplicate payments are not made to physicians for qualified nonphysician
anesthetist services or to a qualified nonphysician anesthetist directly for bills
submitted on their behalf by qualified billers.
A CRNA is identified on the provider file by specialty code 43. An anesthesiologist’s
assistant is identified on the provider file by specialty code 32.
140.4 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist Special Billing and Payment
Situations
(Rev. 2716, Issued: 05-30-13, Effective:01-01-13, Implementation: 02-12-13)
140.4.1 - An Anesthesiologist and Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist
Work Together
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
A/B MACs will distribute educational releases and use other established means to
ensure that anesthesiologists understand the requirements for medical direction of
qualified nonphysician anesthetists.
A/B MACs will perform reviews of payments for anesthesiology services to identify
situations in which an excessive number of concurrent anesthesiology services may
have been performed. They will use peer practice and their experience in developing
review criteria. They will also periodically review a sample of claims for medical
direction of four or fewer concurrent anesthesia procedures. During this process
physicians may be requested to submit documentation of the names of procedures
performed and the names of the anesthetists medically directed.
Physicians who cannot supply the necessary documentation for the sample claims must
submit documentation with all subsequent claims before payment will be made.
140.4.2 - Qualified Nonphysician Anesthetist and an Anesthesiologist in
a Single Anesthesia Procedure
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
Where a single anesthesia procedure involves both a physician medical direction
service and the service of the medically directed qualified nonphysician anesthetist, the
payment amount for the service of each is 50 percent of the allowance otherwise
recognized had the service been furnished by the anesthesiologist alone. For the single
medically directed service, the physician will use the QY modifier and the qualified
nonphysician anesthetist will use the QX modifier.
In unusual circumstances when it is medically necessary for both the CRNA and the
anesthesiologist to be completely and fully involved during a procedure, full payment for
the services of each provider is allowed. The physician would report using the AA
modifier and the CRNA would report using the QZ modifier. Documentation must be
submitted by each provider to support payment of the full fee.
140.4.3 - Payment for Medical or Surgical Services Furnished by
CRNAs
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
Payment shall be made for reasonable and necessary medical or surgical services
furnished by CRNAs if they are legally authorized to perform these services in the State
in which the services are furnished. Payment is determined under the physician fee
schedule on the basis of the national physician fee schedule conversion factor, the
geographic adjustment factor, and the resource-based relative value units for the medical
or surgical service.
140.4.4 - Conversion Factors for Anesthesia Services of Qualified
Nonphysician Anesthetists Furnished on or After January 1, 1992
(Rev. 2716, Issued: 05-30-13, Effective:01-01-13, Implementation: 02-12-13)
Conversion factors used to determine fee schedule payments for anesthesia services
furnished by qualified nonphysician anesthetists on or after January 1, 1992, are
determined based on a statutory methodology.
For example, for anesthesia services furnished by a medically directed qualified
nonphysician anesthetist in 1994, the medically directed allowance is 60 percent of the
allowance that would be recognized for the anesthesia service if the physician personally
performed the service without an assistant, i.e., alone. For subsequent years, the
medically directed allowance is the following percent of the personally performed
allowance.
Services furnished in 1995
57.5 percent
Services furnished in 1996
55.0 percent
Services furnished in 1997
52.5 percent
Services furnished in 1998 and after
50.0 percent
140.5 - Payment for Anesthesia Services Furnished by a Teaching
CRNA
(Rev. 3747; Issued: 04-14-17; Effective: 01-01-17; Implementation: 05-15-17)
Payment can be made under Part B to a teaching CRNA who supervises a single case
involving a student nurse anesthetist where the CRNA is continuously present. The
CRNA reports the service using the QZ modifier. No payment is made under Part B for
the service provided by a student nurse anesthetist.
The A/B MAC may allow payment, as follows, if a teaching CRNA is involved in
cases with two student nurse anesthetists:
•
Recognize the full base units (assigned to the anesthesia code) where the
teaching CRNA is present with the student nurse anesthetist throughout pre and
post anesthesia care; and
•
Recognize the actual time the teaching CRNA is personally present with the
student nurse anesthetist. Anesthesia time may be discontinuous. For
example, a teaching CRNA is involved in two concurrent cases with student
nurse anesthetists. Case 1 runs from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and case 2 runs
from 9:45a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The teaching CRNA is present in case 1 from
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. From 9:45 a.m. to
10:14 a.m. and from 10:31 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the CRNA is present in case 2.
The CRNA may report 45 minutes of anesthesia time for case 1 (i.e., 3 time
units) and 88 minutes (i.e., 5.9 units) of anesthesia time for case 2.
The teaching CRNA must document his/her involvement in cases with student nurse
anesthetists. The documentation must be sufficient to support the payment of the fee
and available for review upon request.
The teaching CRNA (not under the medical direction of a physician), can be paid for
his or her involvement in each of two concurrent cases with student nurse
anesthetists; allow payment at the regular fee schedule rate. The teaching CRNA
reports the anesthesia service using the QZ modifier.
To bill the anesthesia base units, the teaching CRNA must be present with the student
nurse anesthetist during pre and post anesthesia care for each of the two cases. To bill
anesthesia time for each case, the teaching CRNA must continue to devote his or her time
to the two concurrent cases and not be involved in other activities. The teaching CRNA
can decide how to allocate his or her time to optimize patient care in the two cases based
on the complexity of the anesthesia cases, the experience and skills of the student nurse
anesthetists, and the patients’ health status and other factors. The teaching CRNA must
document his or her involvement in the cases with the student nurse anesthetists.
150 - Clinical Social Worker (CSW) Services
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
See Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, for coverage requirements.
Assignment of benefits is required.
Payment is at 75 percent of the physician fee schedule.
CSWs are identified on the provider file by specialty code 80 and provider type 56.
Medicare applies the outpatient mental health limitation to all covered therapeutic
services furnished by qualified CSWs. Refer to §210, below, for a discussion of the
outpatient mental health limitation.
160 - Independent Psychologist Services
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-2150, B3-2070.2
See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, for coverage requirements.
There are a number of types of psychologists. Educational psychologists engage in
identifying and treating education-related issues. In contrast, counseling psychologists
provide services that include a broader realm including phobias, familial issues, etc.
Psychometrists are psychologists who have been trained to administer and interpret tests.
However, clinical psychologists are defined as a provider of diagnostic and therapeutic
services. Because of the differences in services provided, services provided by
psychologists who do not provide clinical services are subject to different billing
guidelines. One service often provided by nonclinical psychologist is diagnostic testing.
NOTE: Diagnostic psychological testing services performed by persons who meet these
requirements are covered as other diagnostic tests. When, however, the psychologist is
not practicing independently, but is on the staff of an institution, agency, or clinic, that
entity bills for the diagnostic services.
Expenses for such testing are not subject to the payment limitation on treatment for
mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders. Independent psychologists are not
required by law to accept assignment when performing psychological tests. However,
regardless of whether the psychologist accepts assignment, he or she must report on the
claim form the name and address of the physician who ordered the test.
160.1 - Payment
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
Diagnostic testing services are not subject to the outpatient mental health limitation.
Refer to §210, below, for a discussion of the outpatient mental health limitation.
The diagnostic testing services performed by a psychologist (who is not a clinical
psychologist) practicing independently of an institution, agency, or physician’s office are
covered as other diagnostic tests if a physician orders such testing. Medicare covers this
type of testing as an outpatient service if furnished by any psychologist who is licensed or
certified to practice psychology in the State or jurisdiction where he or she is furnishing
services or, if the jurisdiction does not issue licenses, if provided by any practicing
psychologist. (It is CMS’ understanding that all States, the District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico license psychologists, but that some trust territories do not. Examples of
psychologists, other than clinical psychologists, whose services are covered under this
provision include, but are not limited to, educational psychologists and counseling
psychologists.)
To determine whether the diagnostic psychological testing services of a particular
independent psychologist are covered under Part B in States which have statutory
licensure or certification, A/B MACs (B) must secure from the appropriate State agency a
current listing of psychologists holding the required credentials. In States or territories
which lack statutory licensing and certification, A/B MACs (B) must check individual
qualifications as claims are submitted. Possible reference sources are the national
directory of membership of the American Psychological Association, which provides
data about the educational background of individuals and indicates which members are
board-certified, and records and directories of the State or territorial psychological
association. If qualification is dependent on a doctoral degree from a currently accredited
program, A/B MACs (B) must verify the date of accreditation of the school involved,
since such accreditation is not retroactive. If the reference sources listed above do not
provide enough information (e.g., the psychologist is not a member of the association),
A/B MACs (B) must contact the psychologist personally for the required information.
A/B MACs (B) may wish to maintain a continuing list of psychologists whose
qualifications have been verified.
Medicare excludes expenses for diagnostic testing from the payment limitation on
treatment for mental/psychoneurotic/personality disorders.
A/B MACs (B) must identify the independent psychologist’s choice whether or not to
accept assignment when performing psychological tests.
A/B MACs (B) must accept an independent psychologist claim only if the psychologist
reports the name/UPIN of the physician who ordered a test.
A/B MACs (B) pay nonparticipating independent psychologists at 95 percent of the
physician fee schedule allowed amount. A/B MACs (B) pay participating independent
psychologists at 100 percent of the physician fee schedule allowed amount.
Independent psychologists are identified on the provider file by specialty code 62 and
provider type 35.
170 - Clinical Psychologist Services
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
B3-2150
See Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, for general coverage requirements.
Direct payment may be made under Part B for professional services. However, services
furnished incident to the professional services of CPs to hospital patients remain bundled.
Therefore, payment must continue to be made to the hospital (by the A/B MAC (A)) for
such “incident to” services.
170.1 - Payment
(Rev. 2656, Issuance: 02-07-13, Effective: 02-19-13, Implementation: 02-19-13)
All covered therapeutic services furnished by qualified CPs are subject to the outpatient
mental health treatment limitation (the limitation). Generally, the limitation does not
apply to diagnostic services. Refer to §210 below for a discussion of the outpatient
mental health treatment limitation.
Payment for the services of CPs is made on the basis of a fee schedule or the actual
charge, whichever is less, and only on the basis of assignment.
CPs are identified by specialty code 68 and provider type 27.
180 - Care Plan Oversight Services
(Rev. 999, Issued: 07-14-06; Effective: 01-01-05; Implementation: 10-02-06)
The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, contains requirements for coverage for
medical and other health services including those of physicians and non-physician
practitioners.
Care plan oversight (CPO) is the physician supervision of a patient receiving complex
and/or multidisciplinary care as part of Medicare-covered services provided by a
participating home health agency or Medicare approved hospice.
CPO services require complex or multidisciplinary care modalities involving:
• Regular physician development and/or revision of care plans;
• Review of subsequent reports of patient status;
• Review of related laboratory and other studies;
• Communication with other health professionals not employed in the same practice
who are involved in the patient’s care;
• Integration of new information into the medical treatment plan; and/or
• Adjustment of medical therapy.
The CPO services require recurrent physician supervision of a patient involving 30 or
more minutes of the physician’s time per month. Services not countable toward the 30
minutes threshold that must be provided in order to bill for CPO include, but are not
limited to:
• Time associated with discussions with the patient, his or her family or friends to
adjust medication or treatment;
• Time spent by staff getting or filing charts;
• Travel time; and/or
• Physician’s time spent telephoning prescriptions into the pharmacist unless the
telephone conversation involves discussions of pharmaceutical therapies.
Implicit in the concept of CPO is the expectation that the physician has coordinated an
aspect of the patient’s care with the home health agency or hospice during the month for
which CPO services were billed. The physician who bills for CPO must be the same
physician who signs the plan of care.
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists, practicing within
the scope of State law, may bill for care plan oversight. These non-physician
practitioners must have been providing ongoing care for the beneficiary through
evaluation and management services. These non-physician practitioners may not bill for
CPO if they have been involved only with the delivery of the Medicare-covered home
health or hospice service.
A. Home Health CPO
Non-physician practitioners can perform CPO only if the physician signing the plan of
care provides regular ongoing care under the same plan of care as does the NPP billing
for CPO and either:
• The physician and NPP are part of the same group practice; or
• If the NPP is a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, the physician signing
the plan of care also has a collaborative agreement with the NPP; or
• If the NPP is a physician assistant, the physician signing the plan of care is also
the physician who provides general supervision of physician assistant services for
the practice.
Billing may be made for care plan oversight services furnished by an NPP when:
• The NPP providing the care plan oversight has seen and examined the patient;
• The NPP providing care plan oversight is not functioning as a consultant whose
participation is limited to a single medical condition rather than multidisciplinary
coordination of care; and
• The NPP providing care plan oversight integrates his or her care with that of the
physician who signed the plan of care.
NPPs may not certify the beneficiary for home health care.
B. Hospice CPO
The attending physician or nurse practitioner (who has been designated as the attending
physician) may bill for hospice CPO when they are acting as an “attending physician”.
An “attending physician” is one who has been identified by the individual, at the time
he/she elects hospice coverage, as having the most significant role in the determination
and delivery of their medical care. They are not employed nor paid by the hospice. The
care plan oversight services are billed using Form CMS-1500 or electronic equivalent.
For additional information on hospice CPO, see Chapter 11, §40.1.3.1 of this manual.
180.1 - Care Plan Oversight Billing Requirements
(Rev. 999, Issued: 07-14-06; Effective: 01-01-05; Implementation: 10-02-06)
A. Codes for Which Separate Payment May Be Made
Effective January 1, 1995, separate payment may be made for CPO oversight services for
30 minutes or more if the requirements specified in the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual,
Chapter 15 are met.
Providers billing for CPO must submit the claim with no other services billed on that
claim and may bill only after the end of the month in which the CPO services were
rendered. CPO services may not be billed across calendar months and should be
submitted (and paid) only for one unit of service.
Physicians may bill and be paid separately for CPO services only if all the criteria in the
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15 are met.
B. Physician Certification and Recertification of Home Health Plans of Care
Effective 2001, two new HCPCS codes for the certification and recertification and
development of plans of care for Medicare-covered home health services were created.
See the Medicare General Information, Eligibility, and Entitlement Manual, Pub. 100-01,
Chapter 4, “Physician Certification and Recertification of Services,” §10-60, and the
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Pub. 100-02, Chapter 7, “Home Health Services”, §30.
The home health agency certification code can be billed only when the patient has not
received Medicare-covered home health services for at least 60 days. The home health
agency recertification code is used after a patient has received services for at least 60
days (or one certification period) when the physician signs the certification after the
initial certification period. The home health agency recertification code will be reported
only once every 60 days, except in the rare situation when the patient starts a new episode
before 60 days elapses and requires a new plan of care to start a new episode.
C. Provider Number of Home Health Agency (HHA) or Hospice
For claims for CPO submitted on or after January 1, 1997, physicians must enter on the
Medicare claim form the 6-character Medicare provider number of the HHA or hospice
providing Medicare-covered services to the beneficiary for the period during which CPO
services was furnished and for which the physician signed the plan of care. Physicians
are responsible for obtaining the HHA or hospice Medicare provider numbers.
Additionally, physicians should provide their UPIN to the HHA or hospice furnishing
services to their patient.
NOTE: There is currently no place on the HIPAA standard ASC X12N 837 professional
format to specifically include the HHA or hospice provider number required for a care
plan oversight claim. For this reason, the requirement to include the HHA or hospice
provider number on a care plan oversight claim is temporarily waived until a new version
of this electronic standard format is adopted under HIPAA and includes a place to
provide the HHA and hospice provider numbers for care plan oversight claims.
190 - Medicare Payment for Telehealth Services
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
A3-3497, A3-3660.2, B3-4159, B3-15516
190.1 - Background
(Rev. 1635, Issued: 11-14-08, Effective: 01-01-09, Implementation: 01-05-09)
Section 223 of the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection
Act of 2000 (BIPA) - Revision of Medicare Reimbursement for Telehealth Services
amended §1834 (go to the link and then select the applicable title) of the Act to provide
for an expansion of Medicare payment for telehealth services.
Effective October 1, 2001, coverage and payment for Medicare telehealth includes
consultation, office visits, individual psychotherapy, and pharmacologic management
delivered via a telecommunications system. Eligible geographic areas include rural
health professional shortage areas (HPSA) and counties not classified as a metropolitan
statistical area (MSA). Additionally, Federal telemedicine demonstration projects as of
December 31, 2000, may serve as the originating site regardless of geographic location.
An interactive telecommunications system is required as a condition of payment;
however, BIPA does allow the use of asynchronous “store and forward” technology in
delivering these services when the originating site is a Federal telemedicine
demonstration program in Alaska or Hawaii. BIPA does not require that a practitioner
present the patient for interactive telehealth services.
With regard to payment amount, BIPA specified that payment for the professional service
performed by the distant site practitioner (i.e., where the expert physician or practitioner
is physically located at time of telemedicine encounter) is equal to what would have been
paid without the use of telemedicine. Distant site practitioners include only a physician
as described in §1861(r) (go to the link and select the applicable title) of the Act and a
medical practitioner as described in §1842(b)(18)(C) (go to the link and select the
applicable title) of the Act. BIPA also expanded payment under Medicare to include a
$20 originating site facility fee (location of beneficiary).
Previously, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) limited the scope of Medicare
telehealth coverage to consultation services and the implementing regulation prohibited
the use of an asynchronous, ‘store and forward’ telecommunications system. BBA 1997
also required the professional fee to be shared between the referring and consulting
practitioners, and prohibited Medicare payment for facility fees and line charges
associated with the telemedicine encounter.
BIPA required that Medicare Part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) pay for this
expansion of telehealth services beginning with services furnished on October 1, 2001.
Section 149 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008
(MIPPA) amended §1834 of the Act to add certain entities as originating sites for
payment of telehealth services. Effective for services furnished on or after January 1,
2009, eligible originating sites include a hospital-based or critical access hospital-based
renal dialysis center (including satellites); a skilled nursing facility (as defined in
§1819(a) of the Act); and a community mental health center (as defined in
§1861(ff)(3)(B) of the Act). MIPPA also amended§1888(e)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act to
exclude telehealth services furnished under §1834(m)(4)(C)(ii)(VII) from the
consolidated billing provisions of the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system
(SNF PPS).
NOTE: MIPPA did not add independent renal dialysis facilities as originating sites for
payment of telehealth services.
The telehealth provisions authorized by §1834(m) of the Act are implemented in 42 CFR
410.78 and 414.65.
190.2 - Eligibility Criteria
(Rev. 2848, Issued 12-30-13; Effective 01-01-14; Implementation 01-06-14)
1. Beneficiaries eligible for telehealth services
Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for telehealth services only if they are presented
from an originating site located in either a rural health professional shortage area
(HPSA) as defined by §332(a)(1) (A) of the Public Health Services Act or in a county
outside of an MSA as defined by §1886(d)(2)(D) (go to the link and select the
applicable title) of the Act.
Effective January 1, 2014, rural HPSAs include HPSAs located outside of a county
outside of an MSA as well as those located in rural census tracts as determined by the
Office of Rural Health Policy. Also effective January 1, 2014, geographic eligibility
for an originating site is established for each calendar year based upon the status of
the area as of December 31st of the prior calendar year.
2. Exception to rural HPSA and non MSA geographic requirements
Entities participating in a Federal telemedicine demonstration project that were
approved by or were receiving funding from the Secretary of Health and Human
Services as of December 31, 2000, qualify as originating sites regardless of
geographic location. Such entities are not required to be in a rural HPSA or non-
MSA.
3. Originating site defined
The term originating site means the location of an eligible Medicare beneficiary at the
time the service being furnished via a telecommunications system occurs.
Originating sites authorized by law are listed below:
The office of a physician or practitioner;
A hospital (inpatient or outpatient);
A critical access hospital (CAH);
A rural health clinic (RHC);
A federally qualified health center (FQHC);
A hospital-based or critical access hospital-based renal dialysis center (including
satellites) (effective January 1, 2009);
A skilled nursing facility (SNF) (effective January 1, 2009); and
A community mental health center (CMHC) (effective January 1, 2009).
NOTE: Independent renal dialysis facilities are not eligible originating sites.
For asynchronous, store and forward telecommunications technologies, an originating
site is only a Federal telemedicine demonstration program conducted in Alaska or
Hawaii.
190.3 - List of Medicare Telehealth Services
(Rev. 3476, Issued: 03-11-16, Effective: 01-01-15, Effective: 04-11-16)
The use of a telecommunications system may substitute for an in-person encounter for
professional consultations, office visits, office psychiatry services, and a limited number
of other physician fee schedule (PFS) services. The various services and corresponding
current procedure terminology (CPT) or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
(HCPCS) codes are listed on the CMS website at www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-
General-Information/Telehealth/
NOTE: Beginning January 1, 2010, CMS eliminated the use of all consultation codes,
except for inpatient telehealth consultation G-codes. CMS no longer recognizes
office/outpatient or inpatient consultation CPT codes for payment of office/outpatient or
inpatient visits. Instead, physicians and practitioners are instructed to bill a new or
established patient office/outpatient visit CPT code or appropriate hospital or nursing
facility care code, as appropriate to the particular patient, for all office/outpatient or
inpatient visits.
190.3.1 - Telehealth Consultation Services, Emergency Department or
Initial Inpatient versus Inpatient Evaluation and Management (E/M)
Visits
(Rev. 2354, Issued: 11-18-11 Effective: 01-01-12, Implementation: 01-03-12)
A consultation service is an evaluation and management (E/M) service furnished to
evaluate and possibly treat a patient’s problem(s). It can involve an opinion, advice,
recommendation, suggestion, direction, or counsel from a physician or qualified
nonphysician practitioner (NPP) at the request of another physician or appropriate source.
Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act includes “professional consultations” in the
definition of telehealth services. Inpatient or emergency department consultations
furnished via telehealth can facilitate the provision of certain services and/or medical
expertise that might not otherwise be available to a patient located at an originating site.
The use of a telecommunications system may substitute for an in-person encounter for
emergency department or initial and follow-up inpatient consultations.
Medicare A/B MACs (B) pay for reasonable and medically necessary inpatient or
emergency department telehealth consultation services furnished to beneficiaries in
hospitals or SNFs when all of the following criteria for the use of a consultation code are
met:
• An inpatient or emergency department consultation service is distinguished
from other inpatient or emergency department evaluation and management (E/M)
visits because it is provided by a physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner
(NPP) whose opinion or advice regarding evaluation and/or management of a
specific problem is requested by another physician or other appropriate source.
The qualified NPP may perform consultation services within the scope of practice
and licensure requirements for NPPs in the State in which he/she practices;
• A request for an inpatient or emergency department telehealth consultation
from an appropriate source and the need for an inpatient or emergency department
telehealth consultation (i.e., the reason for a consultation service) shall be
documented by the consultant in the patient’s medical record and included in the
requesting physician or qualified NPP’s plan of care in the patient’s medical
record; and
• After the inpatient or emergency department telehealth consultation is
provided, the consultant shall prepare a written report of his/her findings and
recommendations, which shall be provided to the referring physician.
The intent of an inpatient or emergency department telehealth consultation service is that
a physician or qualified NPP or other appropriate source is asking another physician or
qualified NPP for advice, opinion, a recommendation, suggestion, direction, or counsel,
etc. in evaluating or treating a patient because that individual has expertise in a specific
medical area beyond the requesting professional’s knowledge.
Unlike inpatient or emergency department telehealth consultations, the majority of
subsequent inpatient hospital, emergency department and nursing facility care services
require in-person visits to facilitate the comprehensive, coordinated, and personal care
that medically volatile, acutely ill patients require on an ongoing basis.
Subsequent hospital care services are limited to one telehealth visit every 3 days.
Subsequent nursing facility care services are limited to one telehealth visit every 30 days.
190.3.2 - Telehealth Consultation Services, Emergency Department or
Initial Inpatient Defined
(Rev. 2354, Issued: 11-18-11, Effective: 01-01-12, Implementation: 01-03-12)
Emergency department or initial inpatient telehealth consultations are furnished to
beneficiaries in hospitals or SNFs via telehealth at the request of the physician of record,
the attending physician, or another appropriate source. The physician or practitioner who
furnishes the emergency department or initial inpatient consultation via telehealth cannot
be the physician of record or the attending physician, and the emergency department or
initial inpatient telehealth consultation would be distinct from the care provided by the
physician of record or the attending physician. Counseling and coordination of care with
other providers or agencies is included as well, consistent with the nature of the
problem(s) and the patient’s needs. Emergency department or initial inpatient telehealth
consultations are subject to the criteria for emergency department or initial inpatient
telehealth consultation services, as described in section 190.3.1 of this chapter.
Payment for emergency department or initial inpatient telehealth consultations includes
all consultation related services furnished before, during, and after communicating with
the patient via telehealth. Pre-service activities would include, but would not be limited
to, reviewing patient data (for example, diagnostic and imaging studies, interim labwork)
and communicating with other professionals or family members. Intra-service activities
must include the three key elements described below for each procedure code. Post-
service activities would include, but would not be limited to, completing medical records
or other documentation and communicating results of the consultation and further care
plans to other health care professionals. No additional E/M service could be billed for
work related to an emergency department or initial inpatient telehealth consultation.
Emergency department or initial inpatient telehealth consultations could be provided at
various levels of complexity:
• Practitioners taking a problem focused history, conducting a problem focused
examination, and engaging in medical decision making that is straightforward,
would bill HCPCS code G0425 (Telehealth consultation, emergency
department or initial inpatient, typically 30 minutes communicating with the
patient via telehealth).
• Practitioners taking a detailed history, conducting a detailed examination, and
engaging in medical decision making that is of moderate complexity, would
bill HCPCS code G0426 (Telehealth consultation, emergency department or
initial inpatient, typically 50 minutes communicating with the patient via
telehealth).
• Practitioners taking a comprehensive history, conducting a comprehensive
examination, and engaging in medical decision making that is of high
complexity, would bill HCPCS code G0427 (Telehealth consultation,
emergency department or initial inpatient, typically 70 minutes or more
communicating with the patient via telehealth).
Although emergency department or initial inpatient telehealth consultations are specific
to telehealth, these services must be billed with either the -GT or -GQ modifier to identify
the telehealth technology used to provide the service. See section 190.6 of this chapter
for instructions on how to use these modifiers.
190.3.3 - Follow-Up Inpatient Telehealth Consultations Defined
(Rev. 2168, Issued: 02-28-11, Effective: 01-01-11, Implementation: 01-03-11 A/B
MACs (B), 04-04-11 A/B MACs (A))
Follow-up inpatient telehealth consultations are furnished to beneficiaries in hospitals or
SNFs via telehealth to follow up on an initial consultation, or subsequent consultative
visits requested by the attending physician. The initial inpatient consultation may have
been provided in-person or via telehealth.
Follow-up inpatient telehealth consultations include monitoring progress, recommending
management modifications, or advising on a new plan of care in response to changes in
the patient’s status or no changes on the consulted health issue. Counseling and
coordination of care with other providers or agencies is included as well, consistent with
the nature of the problem(s) and the patient’s needs.
The physician or practitioner who furnishes the inpatient follow-up consultation via
telehealth cannot be the physician of record or the attending physician, and the follow-up
inpatient consultation would be distinct from the follow-up care provided by the
physician of record or the attending physician. If a physician consultant has initiated
treatment at an initial consultation and participates thereafter in the patient’s ongoing care
management, such care would not be included in the definition of a follow-up inpatient
consultation. Follow-up inpatient telehealth consultations are subject to the criteria for
inpatient telehealth consultation services, as described in section 190.3.1 of this chapter.
Payment for follow-up inpatient telehealth consultations includes all consultation related
services furnished before, during, and after communicating with the patient via telehealth.
Pre-service activities would include, but would not be limited to, reviewing patient data
(for example, diagnostic and imaging studies, interim labwork) and communicating with
other professionals or family members. Intra-service activities must include at least two
of the three key elements described below for each procedure code. Post-service
activities would include, but would not be limited to, completing medical records or other
documentation and communicating results of the consultation and further care plans to
other health care professionals. No additional evaluation and management service could
be billed for work related to a follow-up inpatient telehealth consultation.
Follow-up inpatient telehealth consultations could be provided at various levels of
complexity:
• Practitioners taking a problem focused interval history, conducting a problem
focused examination, and engaging in medical decision making that is
straightforward or of low complexity, would bill a limited service, using HCPCS
code G0406 (Follow-up inpatient telehealth consultation, limited, physicians
typically spend 15 minutes communicating with the patient via telehealth).
• Practitioners taking an expanded focused interval history, conducting an expanded
problem focused examination, and engaging in medical decision making that is of
moderate complexity, would bill an intermediate service using HCPCS code
G0407(Follow-up inpatient telehealth consultation, intermediate, physicians
typically spend 25 minutes communicating with the patient via telehealth).
• Practitioners taking a detailed interval history, conducting a detailed examination,
and engaging in medical decision making that is of high complexity, would bill a
complex service, using HCPCS code G0408 (Follow-up inpatient telehealth
consultation, complex, physicians typically spend 35 minutes or more
communicating with the patient via telehealth).
Although follow-up inpatient telehealth consultations are specific to telehealth, these
services must be billed with either the -GT or -GQ modifier to identify the telehealth
technology used to provide the service. (See section 190.6 of this chapter for instructions
on how to use these modifiers.)
190.3.4 – Payment for ESRD-Related Services as a Telehealth Service
(Rev. 3476, Issued: 03-11-16, Effective: 01-01-15, Effective: 04-11-16)
The ESRD-related services included in the monthly capitation payment (MCP) with 2 or
3 visits per month and ESRD-related services with 4 or more visits per month may be
paid as Medicare telehealth services. However, at least 1 visit must be furnished face-to-
face “hands on” to examine the vascular access site by a physician, clinical nurse
specialist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. An interactive audio and video
telecommunications system may be used for providing additional visits required under
the 2-to-3 visit MCP and the 4-or-more visit MCP. The medical record must indicate that
at least one of the visits was furnished face-to-face “hands on” by a physician, clinical
nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
The MCP physician, for example, the physician or practitioner who is responsible for the
complete monthly assessment of the patient and establishes the patient’s plan of care,
may use other physicians and practitioners to furnish ESRD-related visits through an
interactive audio and video telecommunications system. The non-MCP physician or
practitioner must have a relationship with the billing physician or practitioner such as a
partner, employees of the same group practice or an employee of the MCP physician, for
example, the non MCP physician or practitioner is either a W-2 employee or 1099
independent contractor. However, the physician or practitioner who is responsible for the
complete monthly assessment and establishes the ESRD beneficiary’s plan of care should
bill for the MCP in any given month.
Clinical Criteria
The visit, including a clinical examination of the vascular access site, must be conducted
face-to-face “hands on” by a physician, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or
physician’s assistant. For additional visits, the physician or practitioner at the distant site
is required, at a minimum, to use an interactive audio and video telecommunications
system that allows the physician or practitioner to provide medical management services
for a maintenance dialysis beneficiary. For example, an ESRD-related visit conducted
via telecommunications system must permit the physician or practitioner at the distant
site to perform an assessment of whether the dialysis is working effectively and whether
the patient is tolerating the procedure well (physiologically and psychologically). During
this assessment, the physician or practitioner at the distant site must be able to determine
whether alteration in any aspect of the beneficiary’s prescription is indicated, due to such
changes as the estimate of the patient’s dry weight.
190.3.5 – Payment for Subsequent Hospital Care Services and
Subsequent Nursing Facility Care Services as Telehealth Services
(Rev. 3476, Issued: 03-11-16, Effective: 01-01-15, Effective: 04-11-16)
Subsequent hospital care services are limited to one telehealth visit every 3 days. The
frequency limit of the benefit is not intended to apply to consulting physicians or
practitioners, who should continue to report initial or follow-up inpatient telehealth
consultations using the applicable HCPCS G-codes.
Similarly, subsequent nursing facility care services are limited to one telehealth visit
every 30 days. Furthermore, subsequent nursing facility care services reported for a
Federally-mandated periodic visit under 42 CFR 483.40(c) may not be furnished through
telehealth. The frequency limit of the benefit is not intended to apply to consulting
physicians or practitioners, who should continue to report initial or follow-up inpatient
telehealth consultations using the applicable HCPCS G-codes.
Inpatient telehealth consultations are furnished to beneficiaries in hospitals or skilled
nursing facilities via telehealth at the request of the physician of record, the attending
physician, or another appropriate source. The physician or practitioner who furnishes the
initial inpatient consultation via telehealth cannot be the physician or practitioner of
record or the attending physician or practitioner, and the initial inpatient telehealth
consultation would be distinct from the care provided by the physician or practitioner of
record or the attending physician or practitioner. Counseling and coordination of care
with other providers or agencies is included as well, consistent with the nature of the
problem(s) and the patient’s needs. Initial and follow-up inpatient telehealth
consultations are subject to the criteria for inpatient telehealth consultation services, as
described in section 190.3 of this chapter.
190.3.6 – Payment for Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) as a
Telehealth Service
(Rev. 3476, Issued: 03-11-16, Effective: 01-01-15, Effective: 04-11-16)
Individual and group DSMT services may be paid as a Medicare telehealth service;
however, at least 1 hour of the 10 hour benefit in the year following the initial DSMT
service must be furnished in-person to allow for effective injection training. The
injection training may be furnished through either individual or group DSMT services.
By reporting the –GT or –GQ modifier with HCPCS code G0108 (Diabetes outpatient
self-management training services, individual, per 30 minutes) or G0109 (Diabetes
outpatient self-management training services, group session (2 or more), per 30 minutes),
the distant site practitioner certifies that the beneficiary has received or will receive 1
hour of in-person DSMT services for purposes of injection training during the year
following the initial DSMT service.
As specified in 42 CFR 410.141(e) and stated in Pub. 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy
Manual, chapter 15, section 300.2, individual DSMT services may be furnished by a
physician, individual, or entity that furnishes other services for which direct Medicare
payment may be made and that submits necessary documentation to, and is accredited by,
an accreditation organization approved by CMS. However, consistent with the statutory
requirements of section 1834(m)(1) of the Act, as provided in 42 CFR 410.78(b)(1) and
(b)(2) and stated in section 190.6 of this chapter, Medicare telehealth services, including
individual DSMT services furnished as a telehealth service, could only be furnished by a
licensed PA, NP, CNS, CNM , clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, or registered
dietitian or nutrition professional.
190.4 - Conditions of Payment
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
1. Technology
For Medicare payment to occur, interactive audio and video telecommunications must be
used, permitting real-time communication between the distant site physician or
practitioner and the Medicare beneficiary. As a condition of payment, the patient must be
present and participating in the telehealth visit.
2. Exception to the interactive telecommunications requirement
In the case of Federal telemedicine demonstration programs conducted in Alaska or
Hawaii, Medicare payment is permitted for telemedicine when asynchronous “store and
forward technology” in single or multimedia formats is used as a substitute for an
interactive telecommunications system. The originating site and distant site practitioner
must be included within the definition of the demonstration program.
3. “Store and forward” defined
For purposes of this instruction, “store and forward” means the asynchronous
transmission of medical information to be reviewed at a later time by physician or
practitioner at the distant site. A patient’s medical information may include, but not
limited to, video clips, still images, x-rays, MRIs, EKGs and EEGs, laboratory results,
audio clips, and text. The physician or practitioner at the distant site reviews the case
without the patient being present. Store and forward substitutes for an interactive
encounter with the patient present; the patient is not present in real-time.
NOTE: Asynchronous telecommunications system in single media format does not
include telephone calls, images transmitted via facsimile machines and text messages
without visualization of the patient (electronic mail). Photographs must be specific to the
patients’ condition and adequate for rendering or confirming a diagnosis and or treatment
plan. Dermatological photographs, e.g., a photograph of a skin lesion, may be considered
to meet the requirement of a single media format under this instruction.
4. Telepresenters
A medical professional is not required to present the beneficiary to physician or
practitioner at the distant site unless medically necessary. The decision of medical
necessity will be made by the physician or practitioner located at the distant site.
190.5 - Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Methodology
(Rev. 3476, Issued: 03-11-16, Effective: 01-01-15, Effective: 04-11-16)
1. Originating site defined
The term originating site means the location of an eligible Medicare beneficiary at the
time the service being furnished via a telecommunications system occurs. For
asynchronous, store and forward telecommunications technologies, an originating site is
only a Federal telemedicine demonstration program conducted in Alaska or Hawaii.
2. Facility fee for originating site
The originating site facility fee is a separately billable Part B payment. The contractor
pays it outside of other payment methodologies. This fee is subject to post payment
verification.
For telehealth services furnished from October 1, 2001, through December 31, 2002, the
originating site facility fee was the lesser of $20 or the actual charge. For services
furnished on or after January 1 of each subsequent year, the originating site facility fee is
updated by the Medicare Economic Index. The updated fee is included in the Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, which is published by November 1 prior to
the start of the calendar year for which it is effective. The updated fee for each calendar
year is also issued annually in a Recurring Update Notification instruction for January of
each year.
3. Payment amount:
The originating site facility fee is a separately billable Part B payment. The payment
amount to the originating site is the lesser of 80 percent of the actual charge or 80 percent
of the originating site facility fee, except CAHs. The beneficiary is responsible for any
unmet deductible amount and Medicare coinsurance.
The originating site facility fee payment methodology for each type of facility is clarified
below.
Hospital outpatient department. When the originating site is a hospital outpatient
department, payment for the originating site facility fee must be made as described above
and not under the OPPS. Payment is not based on the OPPS payment methodology.
Hospital inpatient. For hospital inpatients, payment for the originating site facility fee
must be made outside the diagnostic related group (DRG) payment, since this is a Part B
benefit, similar to other services paid separately from the DRG payment, (e.g.,
hemophilia blood clotting factor).
Critical access hospitals. When the originating site is a critical access hospital, make
payment separately from the cost-based reimbursement methodology. For CAH’s, the
payment amount is 80 percent of the originating site facility fee.
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs). The
originating site facility fee for telehealth services is not an FQHC or RHC service. When
an FQHC or RHC serves as the originating site, the originating site facility fee must be
paid separately from the center or clinic all-inclusive rate.
Physicians’ and practitioners’ offices. When the originating site is a physician’s or
practitioner’s office, the payment amount, in accordance with the law, is the lesser of 80
percent of the actual charge or 80 percent of the originating site facility fee, regardless of
geographic location. The A/B MAC (B) shall not apply the geographic practice cost
index (GPCI) to the originating site facility fee. This fee is statutorily set and is not
subject to the geographic payment adjustments authorized under the MPFS.
Hospital-based or critical access-hospital based renal dialysis center (or their satellites).
When a hospital-based or critical access hospital-based renal dialysis center (or their
satellites) serves as the originating site, the originating site facility fee is covered in
addition to any composite rate or MCP amount.
Skilled nursing facility (SNF). The originating site facility fee is outside the SNF
prospective payment system bundle and, as such, is not subject to SNF consolidated
billing. The originating site facility fee is a separately billable Part B payment.
Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). The originating site facility fee is not a
partial hospitalization service. The originating site facility fee does not count towards the
number of services used to determine payment for partial hospitalization services. The
originating site facility fee is not bundled in the per diem payment for partial
hospitalization. The originating site facility fee is a separately billable Part B payment.
To receive the originating facility site fee, the provider submits claims with HCPCS code
“Q3014, telehealth originating site facility fee”; short description “telehealth facility fee.”
The type of service for the telehealth originating site facility fee is “9, other items and
services.” For A/B MAC (B) processed claims, the “office” place of service (code 11) is
the only payable setting for code Q3014. There is no participation payment differential
for code Q3014. Deductible and coinsurance rules apply to Q3014. By submitting
Q3014 HCPCS code, the originating site authenticates they are located in either a rural
HPSA or non-MSA county.
This benefit may be billed on bill types 12X, 13X, 22X, 23X, 71X, 72X, 73X, 76X, and
85X. Unless otherwise applicable, report the originating site facility fee under revenue
code 078X and include HCPCS code “Q3014, telehealth originating site facility fee.”
Hospitals and critical access hospitals bill their A/B/MAC (A) for the originating site
facility fee. Telehealth bills originating in inpatient hospitals must be submitted on a 12X
TOB using the date of discharge as the line item date of service.
Independent and provider-based RHCs and FQHCs bill the appropriate A/B/MAC (A)
using the RHC or FQHC bill type and billing number. HCPCS code Q3014 is the only
non-RHC/FQHC service that is billed using the clinic/center bill type and provider
number. All RHCs and FQHCs must use revenue code 078X when billing for the
originating site facility fee. For all other non-RHC/FQHC services, provider based RHCs
and FQHCs must bill using the base provider’s bill type and billing number. Independent
RHCs and FQHCs must bill the A/B MAC (B) for all other non-RHC/FQHC services. If
an RHC/FQHC visit occurs on the same day as a telehealth service, the RHC/FQHC
serving as an originating site must bill for HCPCS code Q3014 telehealth originating site
facility fee on a separate revenue line from the RHC/FQHC visit using revenue code
078X.
Hospital-based or CAH-based renal dialysis centers (including satellites) bill their
A/B/MAC (A) for the originating site facility fee. Telehealth bills originating in renal
dialysis centers must be submitted on a 72X TOB. All hospital-based or CAH-based
renal dialysis centers (including satellites) must use revenue code 078X when billing for
the originating site facility fee. The renal dialysis center serving as an originating site
must bill for HCPCS code Q3014, telehealth originating site facility fee, on a separate
revenue line from any other services provided to the beneficiary.
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) bill their A/B/MAC (A) for the originating site facility
fee. Telehealth bills originating in SNFs must be submitted on TOB 22X or 23X. For
SNF inpatients in a covered Part A stay, the originating site facility fee must be submitted
on a 22X TOB. All SNFs must use revenue code 078X when billing for the originating
site facility fee. The SNF serving as an originating site must bill for HCPCS code
Q3014, telehealth originating site facility fee, on a separate revenue line from any other
services provided to the beneficiary.
Community mental health centers (CMHCs) bill their A/B/MAC (A) for the originating
site facility fee. Telehealth bills originating in CMHCs must be submitted on a 76X
TOB. All CMHCs must use revenue code 078X when billing for the originating site
facility fee. The CMHC serving as an originating site must bill for HCPCS code Q3014,
telehealth originating site facility fee, on a separate revenue line from any other services
provided to the beneficiary. Note that Q3014 does not count towards the number of
services used to determine per diem payments for partial hospitalization services.
The beneficiary is responsible for any unmet deductible amount and Medicare
coinsurance.
190.6 - Payment Methodology for Physician/Practitioner at the Distant
Site
(Rev. 3586, Issued: 08-12-16, Effective: 01-01-17, Implementation: 01-03-17)
1. Distant Site Defined
The term “distant site” means the site where the physician or practitioner, providing the
professional service, is located at the time the service is provided via a
telecommunications system.
2. Payment Amount (professional fee)
The payment amount for the professional service provided via a telecommunications
system by the physician or practitioner at the distant site is equal to the current fee
schedule amount for the service provided at the facility rate. Payment for an office visit,
consultation, individual psychotherapy or pharmacologic management via a
telecommunications system should be made at the same facility amount as when these
services are furnished without the use of a telecommunications system. For Medicare
payment to occur, the service must be within a practitioner’s scope of practice under
State law. The beneficiary is responsible for any unmet deductible amount and
applicable coinsurance.
3. Medicare Practitioners Who May Receive Payment at the Distant Site (i.e., at a
site other than where beneficiary is)
As a condition of Medicare Part B payment for telehealth services, the physician or
practitioner at the distant site must be licensed to provide the service under state law.
When the physician or practitioner at the distant site is licensed under state law to provide
a covered telehealth service (i.e., professional consultation, office and other outpatient
visits, individual psychotherapy, and pharmacologic management) then he or she may bill
for and receive payment for this service when delivered via a telecommunications
system.
If the physician or practitioner at the distant site is located in a CAH that has elected
Method II, and the physician or practitioner has reassigned his/her benefits to the CAH,
the CAH bills its regular A/B/MAC (A) for the professional services provided at the
distant site via a telecommunications system, in any of the revenue codes 096x, 097x or
098x. All requirements for billing distant site telehealth services apply.
4. Medicare Practitioners Who May Bill for Covered Telehealth Services are
Listed Below (subject to State law)
Physician
Nurse practitioner
Physician assistant
Nurse-midwife
Clinical nurse specialist
Clinical psychologist*
Clinical social worker*
Registered dietitian or nutrition professional
Certified registered nurse anesthetist
*Clinical psychologists and clinical social workers cannot bill for psychotherapy services
that include medical evaluation and management services under Medicare. These
practitioners may not bill or receive payment for the following CPT codes: 90805, 90807,
and 90809.
190.6.1 - Submission of Telehealth Claims for Distant Site Practitioners
(Rev. 3586, Issued: 08-12-16, Effective: 01-01-17, Implementation: 01-03-17)
Claims for telehealth services are submitted to the contractors that process claims for the
performing physician/practitioner’s service area. Physicians/practitioners submit the
appropriate HCPCS procedure code for covered professional telehealth services with
place of service code 02 (Telehealth) along with the “GT” modifier (“via interactive
audio and video telecommunications system”). By coding and billing the “GT” modifier
with a covered telehealth procedure code, the distant site physician/practitioner certifies
that the beneficiary was present at an eligible originating site when the telehealth service
was furnished. By coding and billing the “GT” modifier with a covered ESRD-related
service telehealth code, the distant site physician/practitioner certifies that 1 visit per
month was furnished face-to-face “hands on” to examine the vascular access site. Refer
to section 190.3.4 of this chapter for the conditions of telehealth payment for ESRD-
related services.
In situations where a CAH has elected payment Method II for CAH outpatients, and the
practitioner has reassigned his/her benefits to the CAH, A/B/MACs (A) should make
payment for telehealth services provided by the physician or practitioner at 80 percent of
the MPFS facility amount for the distant site service. In all other cases, except for MNT
services as discussed in Section 190.7- A/B MAC (B) Editing of Telehealth Claims,
telehealth services provided by the physician or practitioner at the distant site are billed to
the A/B/MAC (B).
Physicians and practitioners at the distant site bill their A/B/MAC (B) for covered
telehealth services, for example, “99245 GT.” Physicians’ and practitioners’ offices
serving as a telehealth originating site bill their A/B/MAC (B) for the originating site
facility fee.
190.6.2 - Exception for Store and Forward (Noninteractive) Telehealth
(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)
In the case of Federal telemedicine demonstration programs conducted in Alaska or
Hawaii, store and forward technologies may be used as a substitute for an interactive
telecommunications system. Covered store and forward telehealth services are billed with
the “GQ” modifier, “via asynchronous telecommunications system.” By using the “GQ”
modifier, the distant site physician/practitioner certifies that the asynchronous medical
file was collected and transmitted to them at their distant site from a Federal telemedicine
demonstration project conducted in Alaska or Hawaii.
190.7 - A/B MAC (B) Editing of Telehealth Claims
(Rev. 3721, Issued: 02-24-17, Effective: 05-25-17, Implementation: 05-25-17)
Medicare telehealth services (as listed in section 190.3) are billed with either the “GT” or
“GQ” modifier. The contractor shall approve covered telehealth services if the physician
or practitioner is licensed under State law to provide the service. Contractors must
familiarize themselves with licensure provisions of States for which they process claims
and disallow telehealth services furnished by physicians or practitioners who are not
authorized to furnish the applicable telehealth service under State law. For example, if a
nurse practitioner is not licensed to provide individual psychotherapy under State law, he
or she would not be permitted to receive payment for individual psychotherapy under
Medicare. The contractor shall install edits to ensure that only properly licensed
physicians and practitioners are paid for covered telehealth services.
If a contractor receives claims for professional telehealth services coded with the “GQ”
modifier (representing “via asynchronous telecommunications system”), it shall
approve/pay for these services only if the physician or practitioner is affiliated with a
Federal telemedicine demonstration conducted in Alaska or Hawaii. The contractor may
require the physician or practitioner at the distant site to document his or her participation
in a Federal telemedicine demonstration program conducted in Alaska or Hawaii prior to
paying for telehealth services provided via asynchronous, store and forward technologies.
Contractors shall deny telehealth services if the physician or practitioner is not eligible to
bill for them.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 185
RARC: N/A
MSN: 21.18
If a service is billed with one of the telehealth modifiers and the procedure code is not
designated as a covered telehealth service, the contractor denies the service.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 96
RARC: N776
MSN: 9.4
The only claims from institutional facilities that FIs shall pay for telehealth services at the
distant site, except for MNT services, are for physician or practitioner services when the
distant site is located in a CAH that has elected Method II, and the physician or
practitioner has reassigned his/her benefits to the CAH. The CAH bills its regular FI for
the professional services provided at the distant site via a telecommunications system, in
any of the revenue codes 096x, 097x or 098x. All requirements for billing distant site
telehealth services apply.
Claims from hospitals or CAHs for MNT services are submitted to the hospital's or
CAH's regular FI. Payment is based on the non-facility amount on the Medicare
Physician Fee Schedule for the particular HCPCS codes.
200 - Allergy Testing and Immunotherapy
(Rev. 2997, Issued: 07-25-14, Effective: Upon implementation of ICD-10; 01-01-
2012 - ASC X12, Implementation: 08-25-2014 - ASC X12; Upon Implementation of
ICD-10)
A. Allergy Testing
The MPFSDB fee amounts for allergy testing services billed under codes 95004-95078
are established for single tests. Therefore, the number of tests must be shown on the
claim.
EXAMPLE: If a physician performs 25 percutaneous tests (scratch, puncture, or prick)
with allergenic extract, the physician must bill code 95004 and specify 25 units. To
compute payment, the Medicare A/B MAC (B) multiplies the payment for one test (i.e.,
the payment listed in the fee schedule) by the quantity listed in the units field.
B. Allergy Immunotherapy
For services rendered on or after January 1, 1995, all antigen/allergy immunotherapy
services are paid for under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Prior to that date, only
the antigen injection services, i.e., only codes 95115 and 95117, were paid for under the
fee schedule. Codes representing antigens and their preparation and single codes
representing both the antigens and their injection were paid for under the Medicare
reasonable charge system. A legislative change brought all of these services under the
fee schedule at the beginning of 1995 and the following policies are effective as of
January 1, 1995:
1. CPT codes 95120 through 95134 are not valid for Medicare. Codes 95120
through 95134 represent complete services, i.e., services that include both the
injection service as well as the antigen and its preparation.
2. Separate coding for injection only codes (i.e., codes 95115 and 95117) and/or the
codes representing antigens and their preparation (i.e., codes 95144 through
95170) must be used.
If both services are provided both codes are billed.
This includes allergists who provide both services through the use of treatment boards.
3. If a physician bills both an injection code plus either codes 95165 or 95144, A/B
MACs (B) pay the appropriate injection code (i.e., code 95115 or code 95117)
plus the code 95165 rate. When a provider bills for codes 95115 or 95117 plus
code 95144, A/B MACs (B) change 95144 to 95165 and pay accordingly. Code
95144 (single dose vials of antigen) should be billed only if the physician
providing the antigen is providing it to be injected by some other entity. Single
dose vials, which should be used only as a means of insuring proper dosage
amounts for injections, are more costly than multiple dose vials (i.e., code 95165)
and therefore their payment rate is higher. Allergists who prepare antigens are
assumed to be able to administer proper doses from the less costly multiple dose
vials. Thus, regardless of whether they use or bill for single or multiple dose vials
at the same time that they are billing for an injection service, they are paid at the
multiple dose vial rate.
4. The fee schedule amounts for the antigen codes (95144 through 95170) are for a
single dose. When billing those codes, physicians are to specify the number of
doses provided. When making payment, A/B MACs (B) multiply the fee
schedule amount by the number of doses specified in the units field.
5. If a patient’s doses are adjusted, e.g., because of patient reaction, and the antigen
provided is actually more or fewer doses than originally anticipated, the physician
is to make no change in the number of doses for which he or she bills. The
number of doses anticipated at the time of the antigen preparation is the number
of doses to be billed. This is consistent with the notes on page 30 of the Spring
1994 issue of the American Medical Association’s CPT Assistant. Those notes
indicate that the antigen codes mean that the physician is to identify the number of
doses “prospectively planned to be provided.” The physician is to “identify the
number of doses scheduled when the vial is provided.” This means that in cases
where the patient actually gets more doses than originally anticipated (because
dose amounts were decreased during treatment) and in cases where the patient
gets fewer doses (because dose amounts were increased), no change is to be made
in the billing. In the first case, A/B MACs (B) are not to pay more because the
number of doses provided in the original vial(s) increased. In the second case,
A/B MACs (B) are not to seek recoupment (if A/B MACs (B) have already made
payment) because the number of doses is less than originally planned. This is the
case for both venom and nonvenom antigen codes.
6. Venom Doses and Catch-Up Billing - Venom doses are prepared in separate vials
and not mixed together - except in the case of the three vespid mix (white and
yellow hornets and yellow jackets). A dose of code 95146 (the two-venom code)
means getting some of two venoms. Similarly, a dose of code 95147 means
getting some of three venoms; a dose of code 95148 means getting some of four
venoms; and a dose of 95149 means getting some of five venoms. Some amount
of each of the venoms must be provided. Questions arise when the administration
of these venoms does not remain synchronized because of dosage adjustments due
to patient reaction. For example, a physician prepares ten doses of code 95148
(the four venom code) in two vials - one containing 10 doses of three vespid mix
and another containing 10 doses of wasp venom. Because of dose adjustment, the
three vespid mix doses last longer, i.e., they last for 15 doses. Consequently,
questions arise regarding the amount of “replacement” wasp venom antigen that
should be prepared and how it should be billed. Medicare pricing amounts have
savings built into the use of the higher venom codes. Therefore, if a patient is in
two venom, three venom, four venom or five venom therapy, the A/B MAC (B)
objective is to pay at the highest venom level possible. This means that, to the
greatest extent possible, code 95146 is to be billed for a patient in two venom
therapy, code 95147 is to be billed for a patient in three venom therapy, code
95148 is to be billed for a patient in four venom therapy, and code 95149 is to be
billed for a patient in five venom therapy. Thus, physicians are to be instructed
that the venom antigen preparation, after dose adjustment, must be done in a
manner that, as soon as possible, synchronizes the preparation back to the highest
venom code possible. In the above example, the physician should prepare and bill
for only 5 doses of “replacement” wasp venom - billing five doses of code 95145
(the one venom code). This will permit the physician to get back to preparing the
four venoms at one time and therefore billing the doses of the “cheaper” four
venom code. Use of a code below the venom treatment number for the particular
patient should occur only for the purpose of “catching up.”
7. Code 95165 Doses. - Code 95165 represents preparation of vials of non-venom
antigens. As in the case of venoms, some non-venom antigens cannot be mixed
together, i.e., they must be prepared in separate vials. An example of this is mold
and pollen. Therefore, some patients will be injected at one time from one vial -
containing in one mixture all of the appropriate antigens - while other patients
will be injected at one time from more than one vial. In establishing the practice
expense component for mixing a multidose vial of antigens, we observed that the
most common practice was to prepare a 10 cc vial; we also observed that the most
common use was to remove aliquots with a volume of 1 cc. Our PE computations
were based on those facts. Therefore, a physician’s removing 10 1cc aliquot
doses captures the entire PE component for the service.
This does not mean that the physician must remove 1 cc aliquot doses from a multidose
vial. It means that the practice expenses payable for the preparation of a 10cc vial remain
the same irrespective of the size or number of aliquots removed from the vial. Therefore,
a physician may not bill this vial preparation code for more than 10 doses per vial;
paying more than 10 doses per multidose vial would significantly overpay the practice
expense component attributable to this service. (NOTE: this code does not include the
injection of antigen(s); injection of antigen(s) is separately billable.)
When a multidose vial contains less than 10cc, physicians should bill Medicare for the
number of 1 cc aliquots that may be removed from the vial. That is, a physician may bill
Medicare up to a maximum of 10 doses per multidose vial, but should bill Medicare for
fewer than 10 doses per vial when there is less than 10cc in the vial.
If it is medically necessary, physicians may bill Medicare for preparation of more than
one multidose vial.
EXAMPLES:
(1) If a 10cc multidose vial is filled to 6cc with antigen, the physician may bill
Medicare for 6 doses since six 1cc aliquots may be removed from the vial.
(2) If a 5cc multidose vial is filled completely, the physician may bill Medicare
for 5 doses for this vial.
(3) If a physician removes ½ cc aliquots from a 10cc multidose vial for a total of
20 doses from one vial, he/she may only bill Medicare for 10 doses. Billing
for more than 10 doses would mean that Medicare is overpaying for the
practice expense of making the vial.
(4) If a physician prepares two 10cc multidose vials, he/she may bill Medicare for
20 doses. However, he/she may remove aliquots of any amount from those
vials. For example, the physician may remove ½ aliquots from one vial, and
1cc aliquots from the other vial, but may bill no more than a total of 20 doses.
(5) If a physician prepares a 20cc multidose vial, he/she may bill Medicare for 20
doses, since the practice expense is calculated based on the physician’s
removing 1cc aliquots from a vial. If a physician removes 2cc aliquots from
this vial, thus getting only 10 doses, he/she may nonetheless bill Medicare for
20 doses because the PE for 20 doses reflects the actual practice expense of
preparing the vial.
(6) If a physician prepares a 5cc multidose vial, he may bill Medicare for 5 doses,
based on the way that the practice expense component is calculated.
However, if the physician removes ten ½ cc aliquots from the vial, he/she may
still bill only 5 doses because the practice expense of preparing the vial is the
same, without regard to the number of additional doses that are removed from
the vial.
C. Allergy Shots and Visit Services on the Same Day
At the outset of the physician fee schedule, the question was posed as to whether visits
should be billed on the same day as an allergy injection (CPT codes 95115-95117), since
these codes have status indicators of A rather than T. Visits should not be billed with
allergy injection services 95115 or 95117 unless the visit represents another separately
identifiable service. This language parallels CPT editorial language that accompanies the
allergen immunotherapy codes, which include codes 9515 and 95117. Prior to January
1, 1995, you appeared to be enforcing this policy through three (3) different means:
• Advising physician to use modifier 25 with the visit service;
• Denying payment for the visit unless documentation has been provided; and
• Paying for both the visit and the allergy shot if both are billed for.
For services rendered on or after January 1, 1995, you are to enforce the requirement that
visits not be billed and paid for on the same day as an allergy injection through the
following means. Effective for services rendered on or after that date, the global surgery
policies will apply to all codes in the allergen immunotherapy series, including the
allergy shot codes 95115 and 95117. To accomplish this, CMS changed the global
surgery indicator for allergen immunotherapy codes from XXX, which meant that the
global surgery concept did not apply to those codes, to 000, which means that the global
surgery concept applies, but that there are no days in the postoperative global period.
Now that the global surgery policies apply to these services, you are to rely on the use of
modifier 25 as the only means through which you can make payment for visit services
provided on the same day as allergen immunotherapy services. In order for a physician
to receive payment for a visit service provided on the same day that the physician also
provides a service in the allergen immunotherapy series (i.e., any service in the series
from 95115 through 95199), the physician is to bill a modifier 25 with the visit code,
indicating that the patient’s condition required a significant, separately identifiable visit
service above and beyond the allergen immunotherapy service provided.
D. Reasonable Supply of Antigens
See CMS Manual System, Internet Only Manual, Medicare Benefits Policy Manual,
CMS Pub. 100-02 Chapter 15, section 50.4.4, regarding the coverage of antigens,
including what constitutes a reasonable supply of antigens.
210 - Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Limitation
(Rev. 2166, Issued: 02-25-11, Effective: 03-25-11, Implementation: 03-25-11)
Regardless of the actual expenses a beneficiary incurs in connection with the treatment of
mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders while the beneficiary is not an inpatient
of a hospital at the time such expenses are incurred, the amount of those expenses that
may be recognized for Part B deductible and payment purposes is limited to 62.5 percent
of the Medicare approved amount for those services. This limitation is called the
outpatient mental health treatment limitation (the limitation). The 62.5 percent limitation
has been in place since the inception of the Medicare Part B program and it will remain
effective at this percentage amount until January 1, 2010. However, effective January 1,
2010, through January 1, 2014, the limitation will be phased out as follows:
• January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011, the limitation percentage is 68.75%.
(Medicare pays 55% and the patient pays 45%).
• January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012, the limitation percentage is 75%.
(Medicare pays 60% and the patient pays 40%).
• January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013, the limitation percentage is 81.25%.
(Medicare pays 65% and the patient pays 35%).
• January 1, 2014 - onward, the limitation percentage is 100%.
(Medicare pays 80% and the patient pays 20%).
For additional details concerning computation of the limitation, please see the examples
under section 210.1 E.
210.1 - Application of the Limitation
(Rev. 2166, Issued: 02-25-11, Effective: 03-25-11, Implementation: 03-25-11)
A. Status of Patient
The limitation is applicable to expenses incurred in connection with the treatment of an
individual who is not an inpatient of a hospital. Thus, the limitation applies to mental
health services furnished to a person in a physician’s office, in the patient’s home, in a
skilled nursing facility, as an outpatient, and so forth. The term “hospital” in this context
means an institution, which is primarily engaged in providing to inpatients, by or under
the supervision of a physician(s):
• Diagnostic and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatment and care of
injured, disabled, or sick persons;
• Rehabilitation services for injured, disabled, or sick persons; or
• Psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill patients.
B. Disorders Subject to the Limitation
The term “mental, psychoneurotic, and personality disorders” is defined as the specific
psychiatric diagnoses described in the International Classification of Diseases, 9th
Revision (ICD-9), under the code range 290-319.
When the treatment services rendered are both for a psychiatric diagnosis as defined in
the ICD-9 and one or more nonpsychiatric conditions, separate the expenses for the
psychiatric aspects of treatment from the expenses for the nonpsychiatric aspects of
treatment. However, in any case in which the psychiatric treatment component is not
readily distinguishable from the nonpsychiatric treatment component, all of the expenses
are allocated to whichever component constitutes the primary diagnosis.
1. Diagnosis Clearly Meets Definition - If the primary diagnosis reported for a
particular service is the same as or equivalent to a condition described in the ICD-
9 under the code range 290-319 that represents mental, psychoneurotic and
personality disorders, the expense for the service is subject to the limitation
except as described in subsection D.
2. Diagnosis Does Not Clearly Meet Definition - When it is not clear whether the
primary diagnosis reported meets the definition of mental, psychoneurotic, and
personality disorders, it may be necessary to contact the practitioner to clarify the
diagnosis. In deciding whether contact is necessary in a given case, give
consideration to such factors as the type of services rendered, the diagnosis, and
the individual’s previous utilization history.
C. Services Subject to the Limitation
A/B MACs (B) must apply the limitation to claims for professional services that
represent mental health treatment furnished to individuals who are not hospital inpatients
by physicians, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, clinical
nurse specialists and physician assistants. Items and supplies furnished by physicians or
other mental health practitioners in connection with treatment are also subject to the
limitation.
Generally, A/B MACs (B) must apply the limitation only to treatment services.
However, diagnostic psychological and neuropsychological testing services performed to
evaluate a patient’s progress during treatment are considered part of treatment and are
subject to the limitation.
D. Services Not Subject to the Limitation
1. Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorder - When the primary
diagnosis reported for a particular service is Alzheimer’s Disease or an
Alzheimer’s related disorder, A/B MACs (B) must look to the nature of the
service that has been rendered in determining whether it is subject to the
limitation. Alzheimer’s disease is coded 331.0 in the “International Classification
of Diseases, 9th Revision”, which is outside the code range 290-319 that
represents mental, psychoneurotic and personality disorders. Additionally,
Alzheimer’s related disorders are identified by A/B MACs (B) under ICD-9 codes
that are within the 290-319 code range (290.XX or others as A/B MACs (B)
determine appropriate) or outside the 290-319 code range as determined
appropriate by A/B MACs (B). When the primary treatment rendered to a patient
with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder is psychotherapy, it
is subject to the limitation. However, typically, treatment provided to a patient
with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or a related disorder represents medical
management of the patient’s condition (such as described under CPT code 90862
or any successor code) and is not subject to the limitation. CPT code 90862
describes pharmacologic management, including prescription, use, and review of
medication with no more than minimal medical psychotherapy.
2. Brief Office Visits for Monitoring or Changing Drug Prescriptions - Brief office
visits for the sole purpose of monitoring or changing drug prescriptions used in
the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic and personality disorders are not subject
to the limitation. These visits are reported using HCPCS code M0064 or any
successor code (brief office visit for the sole purpose of monitoring or changing
drug prescriptions used in the treatment of mental, psychoneurotic, and
personality disorders). Claims where the diagnosis reported is a mental,
psychoneurotic, or personality disorder (other than a diagnosis specified in
subsection A) are subject to the limitation except for the procedure identified by
HCPCS code M0064 or any successor code.
3. Diagnostic Services - A/B MACs (B) do not apply the limitation to psychiatric
diagnostic evaluations and diagnostic psychological and neuropsychological tests
performed to establish or confirm the patient’s diagnosis. Diagnostic services
include psychiatric diagnostic evaluations billed under CPT codes 90801 or 90802
(or any successor codes) and, psychological and neuropsychological tests billed
under CPT code range 96101-96118 (or any successor code range).
An initial visit to a practitioner for professional services often combines
diagnostic evaluation and the start of therapy. Such a visit is neither solely
diagnostic nor solely therapeutic. Therefore, A/B MACs (B) must deem the
initial visit to be diagnostic so that the limitation does not apply. Separating
diagnostic and therapeutic components of a visit is not administratively feasible,
unless the practitioner already has separately identified them on the bill.
Determining the entire visit to be therapeutic is not justifiable since some
diagnostic work must be done before even a tentative diagnosis can be made and
certainly before therapy can be instituted. Moreover, the patient should not be
disadvantaged because therapeutic as well as diagnostic services were provided in
the initial visit. In the rare cases where a practitioner’s diagnostic services take
more than one visit, A/B MACs (B) must not apply the limitation to the additional
visits. However, it is expected such cases are few. Therefore, when a practitioner
bills for more than one visit for professional diagnostic services, A/B MACs (B)
may find it necessary to request documentation to justify the reason for more than
one diagnostic visit.
4. Partial Hospitalization Services Not Directly Provided by a Physician or a
Practitioner - The limitation does not apply to partial hospitalization services that
are not directly provided by a physician, clinical psychologist, nurse practitioner,
clinical nurse specialist or a physician assistant. Partial hospitalization services
are billed by hospital outpatient departments and community mental health
centers (CMHCs) to A/B MACs (A). However, services furnished by physicians,
clinical psychologists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician
assistants to partial hospitalization patients are billed separately from the partial
hospitalization program of services. Accordingly, these professional’s mental
health services to partial hospitalization patients are paid under the physician fee
schedule by A/B MACs (B) and may be subject to the limitation. (See chapter 4,
section 260.1C).
E. Computation of Limitation
A/B MACs (B) determine the Medicare approved payment amount for services subject to
the limitation. They:
• Multiply the approved amount by the limitation percentage amount;
• Subtract any unsatisfied deductible; and,
• Multiply the remainder by 0.8 to obtain the amount of Medicare payment.
The beneficiary is responsible for the difference between the amount paid by Medicare
and the full Medicare approved amount.
The following examples illustrate the application of the limitation in various
circumstances as it is gradually reduced under section 102 of the Medicare Improvements
for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). Please note that although the calendar year
2009 Part B deductible of $135 is used under these examples, the actual deductible
amount for calendar year 2010 and future years is unknown and will be subject to change.
Example #1: In 2010, a clinical psychologist submits a claim for $200 for outpatient
treatment of a patient’s mental disorder. The Medicare-approved amount is $180. Since
clinical psychologists must accept assignment, the patient is not liable for the $20 in
excess charges. The patient previously satisfied the $135 annual Part B deductible. The
limitation reduces the amount of incurred expenses to 68 ¾ percent of the approved
amount. Medicare pays 80 percent of the remaining incurred expenses. The Medicare
payment and patient liability are computed as follows:
1. Actual charges………………………………………………….…….$200.00
2. Medicare-approved amount……………………………….…….……$180.00
3. Medicare incurred expenses (0.6875 x line 2)……………..….……...$123.75
4. Unmet deductible…………………………………………………..…$0.00
5. Remainder after subtracting deductible (line 3 minus line 4)………...$123.75
6. Medicare payment (0.80 x line 5)…………………………………….$99.00
7. Patient liability (line 2 minus line 6)………………………………….$81.00
Example #2: In 2012, a clinical social worker submits a claim for $135 for outpatient
treatment of a patient’s mental disorder. The Medicare-approved amount is $120. Since
clinical social workers must accept assignment, the patient is not liable for the $15 in
excess charges. The limitation reduces the amount of incurred expenses to 75 percent of
the approved amount. The patient previously satisfied $70 of the $135 annual Part B
deductible, leaving $65 unmet. The Medicare payment and patient liability are computed
as follows:
1. Actual charges…………………………………………………….….$135.00
2. Medicare-approved amount……………………………………….......$120.00
3. Medicare incurred expenses (0.75 x line 2)…………………..……….$90.00
4. Unmet deductible…………………………………………..………….$65.00
5. Remainder after subtracting deductible (line 3 minus line 4)………....$25.00
6. Medicare payment (0.80 x line 5)……………………………………...$20.00
7. Patient liability (line 2 minus line 6)……………………………..........$100.00
Example #3: In calendar year 2013, a physician who does not accept assignment submits
a claim for $780 for services in connection with the treatment of a mental disorder that
did not require inpatient hospitalization. The Medicare-approved amount is $750.
Because the physician does not accept assignment, the patient is liable for the $30 in
excess charges. The patient has not satisfied any of the $135 Part B annual deductible.
The Medicare payment and patient liability are computed as follows:
1. Actual charges……………….…………………………………………….$780.00
2. Medicare-approved amount………………………………………………..$750.00
3. Medicare incurred expenses (0.8125 x line 2)……………………………..$609.38
4. Unmet deductible…………………………………………………………..$135.00
5. Remainder after subtracting deductible (line 3 minus line 4)……………...$474.38
6. Medicare payment (0.80 x line 5)………………………………………….$379.50
7. Patient liability (line 1 minus line 6)………………………………………$400.50
Example #4: A patient’s Part B expenses during calendar year 2014 are for a physician’s
services in connection with the treatment of a mental disorder that initially required
inpatient hospitalization, with subsequent physician services furnished on an outpatient
basis. The patient has not satisfied any of the $135 Part B deductible. The physician
accepts assignment and submits a claim for $780. The Medicare-approved amount is
$750. Since the limitation will be completely phased out as of January 1, 2014, the entire
$750 Medicare-approved amount is recognized as the total incurred expenses because
such expenses are no longer reduced. Also, there is no longer any distinction between
mental health services the patient receives as an inpatient or outpatient. The Medicare
payment and patient liability are computed as follows:
1. Actual charges……………………………………………………………..$780.00
2. Medicare-approved amount………………………………………………..$750.00
3. Medicare incurred expenses (1.00 x line 2)………………………………..$750.00
4. Unmet deductible…………………………………………………………..$135.00
5. Remainder after subtracting deductible (line 3 minus line 4)……………...$615.00
6. Medicare payment (0.80 x line 5)………………………………………….$492.00
Beneficiary liability (line 2 minus line 6)………………………………………….$258.00
220 - Chiropractic Services
(Rev. 3721, Issued: 02-24-17, Effective: 05-25-17, Implementation: 05-25-17)
A. Verification of Chiropractor's Qualifications
Establish a reference file of chiropractors eligible for payment as physicians under the
criteria in Pub. 100-02, Benefits Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Sections 30.5 & 240A. Pay
only chiropractors on file. Information needed to establish such files is furnished by the
RO.
The RO is notified by the appropriate State agency which chiropractors are licensed and
whether each meets the national uniform standards.
B. Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carriers Processing Claims When a
Chiropractor is the Supplier
Effective July 1, 1999, except for restrictions to chiropractor services as stipulated in
§§1861(s)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, chiropractors (specialty 35) can bill for
durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies if, as the supplier, they
have a valid supplier number assigned by the National Supplier Clearinghouse. In order
to process claims, the Common Working File has been changed to allow specialty 35 to
bill for services furnished as a supplier.
C. Documentation
The following information must be recorded by the chiropractor and kept on file. The
date of the initial treatment or date of exacerbation of the existing condition must be
entered in Item 14 of Form CMS-1500. This serves as affirmation by the chiropractor
that all documentation required as listed below and in Pub. 100-02, Benefits Policy
Manual, Chapter 15, Section 240.1.2 is being maintained on file by the chiropractor.
1. Specification of the precise spinal location and level of subluxation (see
Pub. 100-02, Benefits Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 240.1.4) giving rise to the
diagnosis and symptoms.
2. Effective for claims with dates of service on and after January 1, 2000, the
x-ray is no longer required. However, the x-ray may still be used to demonstrate
subluxation for claims processing purposes. Effective for claims with dates of service on
or after October 1, 2000, when the x-ray is used to demonstrate subluxation, the date of
the x-ray must be entered in Item 19 of Form CMS-1500 and the date must be within the
parameters specified in Pub. 100-02, Benefits Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section
240.1.2.
For claims with dates of service prior to January 1, 2000, and for claims with dates of
service on or after October 1, 2000, for which an x-ray is still used to show subluxation,
the following instructions on documentation apply:
An x-ray film (including the date of the film) is available for your review
demonstrating the existence of a subluxation at the specified level of the spine. If
the beneficiary refuses to have the x-ray, the chiropractor must submit one of the
appropriate HCPCS codes for chiropractic manipulation in addition to modifier GX
(service not covered by Medicare), and the claim will be denied as a technical
denial.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: PR
CARC: 96
RARC: M111
MSN: 3.1
NOTE: The refusal of the beneficiary to have an x-ray taken will no longer need to be
coded for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2000.
D. Claims Processing
Edits and suggested MSN and RA messages.
1. Do not pay for manual manipulation of the spine in treating conditions
other than those indicated in Pub. 100-02, Benefits Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section
240.1.3.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 3.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 50
RARC: N/A
MSN: 15.4
1. Deny claims for treatment of any condition not reasonably related to a subluxation
involving vertebrae at the spinal level specified.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. The CARC below is
not included in the CAQH CORE Business Scenarios.
Group Code: CO
CARC: B22
RARC: N/A
MSN: 15.4
2. Edit to verify that the date of the initial visit or the date of exacerbation of the
existing condition is entered.
The following reflects the remittance advice messages and associated codes that
will appear when rejecting/denying claims under this policy. This CARC/RARC
combination is compliant with CAQH CORE Business Scenario 2.
Group Code: CO
CARC: 16
RARC: MA122
MSN: 9.2
E. X-ray Review
Effective for claims with dates of service on and after January 1, 2000, the x-ray is no
longer required. However, effective for claims with dates of service on or after October
1, 2000, should the chiropractor choose to use the x-ray to show subluxation, the x-ray
review process is still required as outlined below minus the requirement in the last
sentence of number 2. For claims with dates of service prior to January 1, 2000, all
aspects of the following instructions still apply.
1. Carriers should conduct post-payment reviews of x-rays on a sample basis.
Prepayment review should be undertaken in all questionable cases.
2. It is the responsibility of the treating chiropractor to make the documenting x-
ray(s) available to the carrier's review staff. If x-rays are not made available, or
suggest a pattern in failing to demonstrate subluxation for any reason, including
unacceptable technical quality, the carrier should conduct prepayment review of
x-rays in 100 percent of the subsequent claims for treatments by the practitioner
involved until satisfied that the deficiency will no longer occur. Where there is no
x-ray documentation of subluxation on prepayment review, the claims, of course,
should be denied. (The last sentence of this paragraph only refers to claims with
dates of service prior to January 1, 2000.)
3. The x-ray film(s) must have been taken at a time reasonably proximate to the
initiation of the course of treatment and must demonstrate a subluxation at the
level of the spine specified by the treating chiropractor on the claim. (See Pub.
100-02, Benefits Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 240.1.2.)
4. An x-ray obtained by the chiropractor for his own diagnostic purposes before
commencing treatment should suffice for claims documentation purposes.
However, when subluxation was for treatment purposes diagnosed by some other
means and x-rays are taken to satisfy Medicare's documentation requirement,
carriers should ask chiropractors to hone in on the site of the subluxation in
producing x-rays. Such a practice would not only minimize the exposure of the
patient but also should result in a film more clearly portraying the subluxation.
5. An x-ray will be considered of acceptable technical quality if any individual
trained in the reading of x-rays could recognize a subluxation if present.
6. When claims have been denied because the x-ray(s) initially offered failed to
document the existence of a subluxation requiring treatment, no review of these
decisions should be undertaken on the basis of x-ray(s) subsequently taken.
Permitting such reviews could be an inducement to excessive exposure of patients
to radiation in cases where the decision to treat was made despite x-rays that did
not show a subluxation.
230 - Primary Care Incentive Payment Program (PCIP)
(Rev. 2152, Issued: 02-11-11, Effective: 07-01-11, Implementation: 07-05-11)
Section 5501(a) of the Affordable Care Act revises section 1833 of the Social Security
Act (the Act) by adding a new paragraph, (x), “Incentive Payments for Primary Care
Services.” Section 1833(x) of the Act states that in the case of primary care services
furnished on or after January 1, 2011, and before January 1, 2016, there shall be a 10
percent incentive payment for such services under Part B when furnished by a primary
care practitioner.
Information regarding Primary Care Incentive Payment Program (PCIP) payments made
to critical access hospitals (CAHs) paid under the optional method can be found in Pub.
100-04, Chapter 4, §250.12 of this manual.
230.1 - Definition of Primary Care Practitioners and Primary Care
Services
(Rev. 2152, Issued: 02-11-11, Effective: 07-01-11, Implementation: 07-05-11)
Primary care practitioner is defined as:
1. A physician who has a primary specialty designation of family medicine, internal
medicine, geriatric medicine, or pediatric medicine for whom primary care
services accounted for at least 60 percent of the allowed charges under the PFS
(excluding hospital inpatient care and emergency department visits) for the
practitioner in a prior period as determined appropriate by the Secretary; or
2. A nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant for whom
primary care services accounted for at least 60 percent of the allowed charges
under the PFS (excluding hospital inpatient care and emergency department
visits) for the practitioner in a prior period as determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
Primary care services are defined as HCPCS Codes:
1. 99201 through 99215 for new and established patient office or outpatient
evaluation and management (E/M) visits;
2. 99304 through 99340 for initial, subsequent, discharge, and other nursing facility
E/M services; new and established patient domiciliary, rest home or custodial care
E/M services; and domiciliary, rest home or home care plan oversight services;
and
3. 99341 through 99350 for new and established patient home E/M visits.
Practitioner Identification
Primary care practitioners will be identified using the National Provider Identifier (NPI)
number of the rendering practitioner on claims. If the claim is submitted by a
practitioner’s group practice, the rendering practitioner’s NPI must be included on the
line-item for the primary care service and reflect an eligible HCPCS as identified. In
order to be eligible for the PCIP, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse
practitioners must be billing for their services under their own NPI and not furnishing
services incident to physicians’ services. Regardless of the specialty area in which they
may be practicing, the specific nonphysician practitioners are eligible for the PCIP based
on their profession and historical percentage of allowed charges as primary care services
that equals or exceeds the 60 percent threshold.
The claims data used for the primary care percentage calculations depend on the
potential primary care practitioner’s date of enrollment in Medicare. We will use
Medicare claims data 2 years prior to the PCIP payment year to determine PCIP
eligibility for those potential primary care practitioners who were enrolled in Medicare in
that year. For example, for CY 2011, we will use Medicare claims data from CY 2009
for practitioners who were already enrolled in Medicare in CY 2009. We will use claims
data from the year immediately preceding the PCIP payment year in order to determine
PCIP eligibility for potential primary care practitioners who newly enroll in Medicare in
the year immediately preceding the PCIP payment year. For example, for CY 2011, we
will use the available Medicare claims data from CY 2010 only for potential primary care
practitioners who newly enrolled in Medicare in CY 2010.
Eligible practitioners for PCIP payments in a given calendar year who were enrolled in
Medicare 2 years earlier will be listed by eligible NPI in the Primary Care Incentive
Payment Program Eligibility File, available after January 31 of the PCIP payment year on
their A/B MAC (B)’s website. Eligible practitioners for PCIP payments in a given
calendar year who were newly enrolled in Medicare in the year immediate preceding the
PCIP payment year will be identified in the PCIP Payment for New Providers Enrolled
in Medicare File, available after October 1 of the PCIP payment year. Practitioners
should contact their A/B MAC (B) with any questions regarding their eligibility for the
PCIP.
230.2 - Coordination with Other Payments
(Rev. 2152, Issued: 02-11-11, Effective: 07-01-11, Implementation: 07-05-11)
Section 5501(a)(3) of the Affordable Care Act authorizes payment under the PCIP as an
additional payment amount for specified primary care services without regard to any
additional payment for the service under Section 1833(m) of the Act. Therefore, an
eligible primary care physician furnishing a primary care service in a health professional
shortage area (HPSA) may receive both a HPSA physician bonus payment (as described
in the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04, Chapter 12, §90.4) under the
HPSA physician bonus program and a PCIP incentive payment under the new program
beginning in CY 2011.
230.3 - Claims Processing and Payment
(Rev. 2152, Issued: 02-11-11, Effective: 07-01-11, Implementation: 07-05-11)
A. General Overview
Incentive payments will be made on a quarterly basis and shall be equal to 10 percent of
the amount paid for such services under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for
those services furnished during the incentive payment year. PCIP payments for newly
enrolled practitioners will be delayed due to the lag in their eligibility determination.
Newly enrolled primary care practitioners will receive a single cumulative PCIP
payment, retroactive for primary care services furnished from the beginning of the PCIP
payment year, following the fourth quarter of the PCIP payment year after the primary
care practitioner is deemed eligible. Quarterly payments will be made for subsequent
incentive payments.
For information on PCIP payments to CAHs paid under the optional method, see the
Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Pub. 100-04, Chapter 4, §250.12.
On an annual basis A/B MACs (B) shall receive a Primary Care Incentive Payment
Program Eligibility File and PCIP Payment for New Providers Enrolled in Medicare File
that they shall post to their websites. The files will list the NPIs of all practitioners who
are eligible to receive PCIP payments for the PCIP payment year.
B. Method of Payment
• Calculate and pay qualifying primary care practitioners an additional 10 percent
incentive payment.
• Calculate the payment based on the amount actually paid for the services, not the
Medicare approved amount.
• Combine the PCIP incentive payments, when appropriate, with other incentive
payments, including the HPSA physician bonus payment, and the HPSA Surgical
Incentive Payment Program (HSIP) payment;
• Provide a special remittance form that is forwarded with the incentive payment so
that physicians and practitioners can identify which type of incentive payment
(HPSA physician and/or PCIP) was paid for which services.
• Practitioners should contact their A/B MAC (B) with any questions regarding
PCIP payments.
C. Changes for Contractor Systems
The Medicare Carrier System, (MCS), Common Working File (CWF) and the National
Claims History (NCH) shall be modified to accept a new PCIP indicator on the claim
line. Once the type of incentive payment has been identified by the shared systems, the
shared system shall modify their systems to set the indicator on the claim line as follows:
1 = HPSA;
2 = PSA;
3 = HPSA and PSA;
4 = HSIP;
5 = HPSA and HSIP;
6 = PCIP;
7 = HPSA and PCIP; and
Space = Not Applicable.
The MCS shall send the HIGLAS 810 invoice for incentive payment invoices, including
the new PCIP payment. The A/B MAC (B) shall also combine the provider’s HPSA
physician bonus, physician scarcity (PSA) bonus (if it should become available at a later
date), HSIP payment and/or PCIP payment invoice per provider. The A/B MAC (B)
shall receive the HIGLAS 835 payment file from HIGLAS showing a single incentive
payment per provider.
Transmittals Issued for this Chapter
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R3747CP 04/14/2017 Payment for Moderate Sedation Services 05/15/2017 10001
R3721CP 02/24/2017 Updates to Pub. 100-04, Chapters 12, 17
and 23 to Correct Remittance Advice
Messages
05/25/2017 9906
R3678CP 12/16/2016 Prolonged Services Without Direct Face-
to-
Face Patient Contact Separately Payable
Under the Physician Fee Schedule (Manual
Update)
01/03/2016 9905
R3586CP 08/12/2016 New Place of Service (POS) Code for
Telehealth and Distant Site Payment
Policy
01/03/2017 9726
R3583CP 08/12/2016 Payment Reduction for X-Rays Taken
Using Film 01/03/2017 9727
R3476CP 03/11/2016 Telehealth Services 04/11/2016 9428
R3402CP 11/06/2015 Payment Reduction for Computed
Tomography (CT) Diagnostic Imaging 01/04/2016 9250
R3368CP 10/09/2015
New Values for Incomplete Colonoscopies
Billed with Modifier 53 01/01/2016 9317
R3315CP 08/06/2015 New and Revised Place of Service Codes
(POS) for Outpatient Hospital 01/04/2016 9231
R3299CP 08/06/2015 Payment Reduction for Computed
Tomography (CT) Diagnostic Imaging
Services – Rescinded and replaced by
Transmittal 3402
01/04/2016 9250
R3096CP 10/17/2014 Medicare Coverage of Ultrasound
Screening for Abdominal Aortic
Aneurysms (AAA) and Screening Fecal-
Occult Blood Tests (FOBT)
11/18/2014 8881
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R2997CP 07/25/2014 Update to Pub. 100-04, Chapter 12 to
Provide Language-Only Changes for
Updating ICD-10 and ASC X12
08/25/2014 8688
R2914CP 03/25/14
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)
Post-payment Review Process 03/31/2014 8608
R2890CP 02/28/2014
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)
Post-payment Review Process –
Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2914
03/31/2014 8608
R2848CP 12/30/2013 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2014 01/06/2014 8553
R2716CP 05/30/2013 Internet Only Manual (IOM) Update to
Payment for Medical or Surgical Services
Furnished by CRNAs. This CR rescinds
and fully replaces CR 8027. Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2668.
02/12/2013 8180
R2714CP 05/24/2013 Updates to Chapter 12 and Chapter 16 of
the Medicare Claims Pr
ocessing Manual to
Revise Instructions Regarding the
Technical Component (TC) of Pathology
Services Furnished to Hospital Patients
06/25/2013 8013
R2679CP 03/29/2013 Revised and Clarified Place of Service
(POS) Coding Instructions 04/01/2013 7631
R2668CP 03/08/2013 Internet Only Manual (IOM) Update to
Payment for Medical or Surgical Services
Furnished by CRNAs. This CR rescinds
and fully replaces CR 8027. Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2716.
02/12/2013 8180
R2657CP 02/12/2013 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2012 01/25/2013 7900
R2656CP 02/07/2013 Update To Publication 100-04, Claims
Processing Instructions For Chapter 12,
Non-Physician Practitioners (NPPs)
02/19/2013 8010
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R2652CP 02/06/2013 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2012 – Rescinded and
replaced by Transmittal 2657
01/25/2013 7900
R2634CP 01/11/2013 Internet Only Manual (IOM) Update to
Payment for Medical or Surgical Services
Furnished by CRNAs. This CR rescinds
and fully replaces CR 8027. Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2668.
02/12/2013 8180
R2613CP 12/14/2012 Revised and Clarified Place of Service
(POS) Coding Instructions – Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2679
04/01/2013 7631
R2610CP 12/14/2012 Update To Publication 100-04, Claims
Processing Instructions For Chapter 12,
Non-Physician Practitioners (NPPs) –
Rescinded and replaced by Transmittal
2656
02/19/2013 8010
R2606CP 11/30/2012 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2012 – Rescinded and
replaced by Transmittal 2652
01/07/2013 7900
R2563CP 10/11/2012 Revised and Clarified Place of Service
(POS) Coding Instructions – Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2613
04/01/2013 7631
R2561CP 09/28/2012 Revised and Clarified Place of Service
(POS) Coding Instructions – Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2563
04/01/2013 7631
R2538CP 08/31/2012 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2012 – Rescinded and
replaced by Transmittal 2606
01/07/2013 7900
R2464CP 05/04/2012 Enhance the Multi-Carrier System (MCS)
and ViPS Medicare System (VMS) to
Maintain Five Full Years of Pricing Data
and to Automatically Price
Claims/Adjustments at the Rates in Effect
at the Dates of Service
10/01/2012
for VMS 7383
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R2435CP 03/29/2012 Revised and Clarified Place of Service
(POS) Coding Instructions – Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2561
10/01/2012 7631
R2407CP 02/03/2012 Revised and Clarified Place of Service
(POS) Coding Instructions – Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2435
04/02/2012 7631
R2373CP 12/21/2011 Bundling of Payments for Services
Provided to Outpatients Who Later Are
Admitted as Inpatients: 3-Day Payment
Window Policy and the Impact on Wholly
Owned or Wholly Operated Physician
Practices
01/03/2012 7502
R2354CP 11/18/2011 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2012 01/03/2012 7504
R2303CP 09/14/2011 Teaching Physician Services 07/26/2011 7378
R2299CP 09/08/2011 Enhance the Multi-Carrier System (MCS)
and ViPS Medicare System (VMS) to
Maintain Five Full Years of Pricing Data
and to Automatically Price
Claims/Adjustments at the Rates in Effect
at the Dates of Service – Rescinded and
replaced by Transmittal 2464.
10/03/2011 7383
R2297CP 09/02/2011 Bundling of Payments for Services
Provided to Outpatients Who Later Are
Admitted as Inpatients: 3-Day Payment
Window Policy and the Impact on Wholly
Owned or Wholly Operated Physician
Practices – Rescinded and replaced by
Transmittal 2373
01/03/2012 7502
R2282CP 08/26/2011 Clarification of Evaluation and
Management Payment Policy 11/28/2011 7405
R2273CP 08/12/2011 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2012 – Rescinded and
replaced by Transmittal 2354
01/03/2012 7504
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R2247CP 06/24/2011 Teaching Physician Services – Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 2303 07/25/2011 7378
R2210CP 05/06/2011 Enhance the Multi-Carrier System (MCS)
and ViPS Medicare System (VMS) to
Maintain Five Full Years of Pricing Data
and to Automatically Price
Claims/Adjustments at the Rates in Effect
at the Dates of Service – Rescinded and
replaced by Transmittal 2299
10/03/2011 7383
R2168CP 02/28/2011 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2011 01/03/2011
&
04/04/2011
7049
R2166CP 02/25/2011 Clarification to CR 6686-Outpatient
Mental Health Treatment Limitation 03/25/2011 7307
R2161CP 02/25/2011 Incentive Payment Program for Primary
Care Services, Section 5501(a) of the ACA
01/03/2011
&
04/04/2011
7060
R2159CP 02/15/2011 Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), Including
Personalized Prevention Plan Services
(PPPS)
04/04/2011 7079
R2152CP 02/11/2011 Primary Care Incentive Payment Program
(PCIP) Eligibility for New Providers
Enrolled in Medicare
07/05/2011 7267
R2109CP 12/03/2010 Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), Including
Personalized Prevention Plan Services
(PPPS) – Rescinded and replaced by
Transmittal 2159
04/04/2011 7079
R2044CP 09/03/2010 Revisions and Re-issuance of Audiology
Policies 09/30/2010 6447
R2040CP 08/27/2010 Section 5501(b) Incentive Payment
Program for Major Surgical Procedures
Furnished in Health Professional Shortage
Areas of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
01/03/2011
&
04/04/2011
7063
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R2039CP 08/27/2010 Primary Care Incentive Payment Program
(PCIP), Section 5501(a) of the Affordable
Care Act (ACA) – Rescinded and replaced
by Transmittal 2161
01/03/2011
&
04/04/2011
7060
R2032CP 08/20/2010 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2011 – Rescinded and
replaced by Transmittal 2168
01/03/2011 7049
R2024CP 08/06/2010 Payment for Certified Nurse-Midwife
Services 01/03/2011 7005
R2007CP 07/23/2007 Revisions and Re-issuance of Audiology
Policies – Rescinded and replaced by
Transmittal 2044
08/11/2010 6447
R1975CP 05/28/2010 Revisions and Re-issuance of Audiology
Policies - Rescinded and replaced by
Transmittal 2007
07/28/2010 6447
R1931CP 03/12/2010 Revision of the Internet Only Manual
(IOM) to Remove References to
“Purchased Diagnostic Test” and Replace
With Language Consistent With the Anti-
Markup Rule
06/14/2010 6627
R1881CP 12/18/2009 Expansion of Medicare Telehealth
Services for CY 2010 01/04/2010 6705
R1875CP 12/14/2009 Revisions to Consultation Services
Payment Policy 01/04/2010 6740
R1859CP 11/20/2009 MIPAA Section 139 Teaching
Anesthesiologists 01/04/2010 6706
R1843CP 10/30/2009 Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Limitation 01/04/2010 6686
R1716CP 04/24/2009 List of Medicare Telehealth Services 05/26/2009 6458
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R1643CP 12/05/2008 Indian Health Service (IHS) Provider
Payment to Non-IHS Physicians for
Teleradiology Interpretations
03/09/2009 6162
R1639CP 11/21/2008
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)
Bonus Payment Policy Changes 01/05/2009 6106
R1635CP 11/14/2008 Adding Certain Entities as Originating
Sites for Payment of Telehealth Services-
Section 149 of the Medicare Improvements
for Patients and Providers Act of 2008
(MIPPA)
01/05/2009 6215
R1615CP 10/17/2008 Update to the Initial Preventive Physical
Examination (IPPE) Benefit 01/05/2009 6223
R1604CP 09/26/2008 Physician Payment Amounts When
Physicians Furnish Excluded Procedures in
Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
01/05/2009 6052
R1550CP 07/18/2008 Clarifications to Audiology Update
Transmittal 1470, Change Request 5717 08/18/2008 6061
R1548CP 07/09/2008
Critical Care Visits and Neonatal Intensive
Care (Codes 99291-99292) 07/07/2008 5993
R1545CP 06/27/2008 Payment for Inpatient Hospital Visits
(Codes 99221-99239) – Rescinds and
replaces Transmittal 1473.
04/07/2008 5792
R1530CP 06/06/2008
Critical Care Visits and Neonatal Intensive
Care (Codes 99291-99292) - Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 1548
07/07/2008 5993
R1490CP 04/11/2008 Prolonged Services (Codes 99354-99359) 07/07/2008 5972
R1489CP 04/11/2008 Nursing Facility Services (Codes 99304-
99318) 07/07/2008 5968
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R1473CP 03/07/2008 Payment for Inpatient Hospital Visits –
General (Codes 99221-99239) –
Rescinded
and replaced by Transmittal 1545.
04/07/2008 5792
R1470CP 02/29/2008 Update to Audiology Policies 04/07/2008 5717
R1466CP 02/22/2008
Payment for Hospital Observation Services
(Codes 99217 - 99220) and Observation or
Inpatient Care Services (Including
Admission and Discharge Services -
Codes
99234 - 99236)
04/07/2008 5791
R1465CP 02/22/2008 Payment for Initial Hospital Care Services
(Codes 99221 - 99233) and Observation or
Inpatient Care Services (Including
Admission and Discharge Services)
(Codes 99234 - 99236)
04/07/2008 5793
R1460CP 02/22/2008 Subsequent Hospital Visits and Hospital
Discharge Day Management Services
(Codes 99231 - 99239)
04/07/2008 5794
R1458CP 02/22/2008 Teaching Physician Requirements for
ESRD Monthly Capitation Payment
(MCP)
03/24/2008 5932
R1434CP 02/05/2008 Extension of the Dates of Service for the
Physician Scarcity Area (PSA) Bonus
Payment
01/07/2008 5937
R1324CP 08/27/2007 Anesthesia Services Furnished by the
Same Physician Providing the Medical and
Surgical Service
10/01/2007 5618
R1321CP 08/24/2007 Sunset of the Physician Scarcity Area
(PSA) Bonus Payment 01/07/2008 5711
R1316CP 08/17/2007 Anesthesia Services Furnished by the
Same Physician Providing the Medical and
Surgical Service – Replaced by
Transmittal 1324
10/01/2007 5618
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R1277CP 06/29/2007 Medicare Telehealth Services 01/07/2008 5628
R1273CP 06/29/2007 Billing and Payment in a Health
Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) 10/01/2007 5625
R1168CP 01/26/2007 Direct Billing and Payments for Non-
Physician Practitioner Services Furnished
to Hospital Inpatients and Outpatients
04/26/2007 5221
R1026CP 08/11/2006 Medicare Telehealth Services 01/02/2007 5201
R999CP 07/14/2006 Non-
Physician Practitioner (NPP) Payment
for Care Plan Oversight 10/02/2006 4374
R997CP 07/07/2006 Medicare Telehealth Services Update 08/07/2006 5122
R993CP 06/23/2006 Non-
Physician Practitioner (NPP) Payment
for Care Plan Oversight 10/02/2006 4374
R979CP 06/09/2006 Cardiovascular System (Codes 92950-
93799 07/10/2006 5048
R968CP 05/26/2006 Drug Administration Coding and Payment
Policy Update to Pub. 100-
04 Med. Claims
Processing
06/26/2006 5028
R954CP 05/19/2006 Payment for Evaluation and Management
Services Provided During Global Period of
Surgery
08/20/2006 5025
R906CP 04/14/2006 Revision to Health Professional Shortage
Area and Physician Scarcity Area Bonus
Billing for Some Globally Billed Services
07/03/2006 5015
R834CP 02/03/2006 Revision to Health Professional Shortage
Area and Physician Scarcity Area Bonus
Billing for Some Globally Billed Services
07/03/2006 4266
R811CP 01/13/2006 Teaching Physician Services 02/13/2006 3928
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R808CP 01/06/2006 Nursing Facility Services Codes (99304 –
99318 01/23/2006 4246
R807CP 01/06/2006 Revision to IOM 100-04, Chapter 12,
Sections 90.4.1.1 and 90.4.2 02/06/2006 4182
R792CP 12/23/2005 Nursing Facility Services Codes (99304 –
99318) - Rescinded and replaced by
Transmittal 808
01/23/2006 4246
R790CP 12/23/2005 List of Medicare Telehealth Services 04/03/2006 4204
R788CP 12/20/2005 Consultation Services (Codes 99241 –
99255) 01/17/2006 4215
R782CP 12/16/2005 Consultation Services (Codes 99241 –
99255) Rescinded and replaced by
Transmittal 788
01/17/2005 4215
R775CP 12/02/2005 Home Care and Domiciliary Care Visits
(99324 – 99350) 01/03/2006 4212
R748CP 11/04/2005 New G Code for Power Mobility Devices
(PMDs) 10/25/2005 4121
R731CP 10/28/2005 Payment for Office or Other Outpatient
Evaluation and Management (E/M) Visits
(Codes 99201 - 99215)
01/03/2006 4032
R713CP 10/18/2005 New G Code for Power Mobility Devices
(PMDs) 10/25/2005 4121
R667CP 09/02/2005 Home Care and Domiciliary Care Visits
(Codes 99321 - 99350) 12/05/2005 3922
R608CP 07/22/2005 New Health Professional Shortage Area
(HPSA) Modifier 01/03/2006 3935
R556CP 05/06/2005 Revision to the Health Professional
Shortage Area (HPSA) and Physician
Scarcity Area (PSA) Payment Rules
10/03/2005 3822
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R547CP 04/29/2005 Revision to the Health Professional
Shortage Area (HPSA) and Physician
Scarcity Area (PSA) Payment Rules
10/03/2005 3822
R524CP 04/15/2005 Clarification to the Health Professional
Shortage Area Language in the Medicare
Claims Processing Manual
05/16/2005 3736
R517CP 04/01/2005 List of Medicare Telehealth Services 05/02/2005 3747
R504CP 03/11/2005 Update to Pub 100-
04, Chapter 12, Section
200 of the Internet Only Manual N/A 3732
R417CP 12/22/2004 Initial Preventive Physical Examination 01/03/2005 3638
R382CP 11/26/2004 Independent Laboratory Billing for the
Technical Component (TC) of Physician
Pathology Services to Hospital Patients
01/03/2005 3467
R302CP 09/24/2004 Nursing Facility Visits (Codes 99301 -
99313) 10/25/2004 3096
R280CP 08/13/2004 Billing and Payment in a Health
Professional Shortage Area 10/04/2004 3401
R277CP 08/13/2004 Instructions to Establish Carrier Web
Pages for Health Professional Shortage
Area and for Provider Education for the
HPSA and Physician Scarcity Area Bonus
Payment
09/13/2004 3388
R218CP 06/25/2004 Implementation of the Analysis and
Design Phases of The Revisions to the
Health Professional Shortage Area Bonus
Payment
10/04/2004 3317
R217CP 06/25/2004 Implementation of the Analysis and
Design Phases of the Physician Scarcity
Bonus
10/04/2004 3318
Rev # Issue Date Subject Impl Date CR#
R203CP 06/10/2004 Billing Payment in a Health Professional
Shortage Area 07/06/2004 3336
R178CP 05/14/2004 Evaluation and Management Service
Codes N/A 2321
R168CP 05/07/2004
Chapter 12, Physician/Practitioner Billing0
N/A 1756
R157CP 04/30/2004 Implementation of the Analysis and
Design Phase of the Physician Scarcity
Bonus
10/04/2004 3223
R155CP 04/30/2004 Implementation of the Analysis and
Design Phases of the Revision to the
Health Professional Shortage Area Bonus
Payment
10/04/2004 3215
R147CP 04/23/2004
Payment for Chemotherapy Administration
Services, Nonchemotherapy Drug Infusion
Services, and Drug Injection Services
05/24/2004 3192
R137CP 04/09/2004 Manualization of Section 4118 of the
Medicare Carriers Manual, Part 3 N/A 3234
R078CP 02/06/2004 Medicare Incentive Payments for
Physician Care 07/06/2004 3108
R001CP 10/01/2003 Initial Publication of Manual NA NA
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