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December Medicare Transmittals and Other Updates

Published on 

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Medicare Transmittals

2018 Annual Update to the Therapy Code List

Updates the list of “sometimes therapy” and “always therapy” codes with new codes for 2018.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10303.pdf

 

Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy (Section C, Topical Application of Oxygen)

Effective April 3, 2017, coverage of topical oxygen for the treatment of chronic wounds will be determined by the MACs.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10220.pdf

 

Replacement of Mammography HCPCS Codes, Waiver of Coinsurance and Deductible for Preventive and Other Services, and Addition of Anesthesia and Prolonged Preventive Services

Describes replacement of HCPCS codes G0202, G0204, and G0206 with CPT codes 77067, 77066, and 77065, effective January 1, 2018. Also applies the waiver of deductible and coinsurance to 76706, 77067, prolonged preventive services, and anesthesia services furnished in conjunction with and in support of colorectal cancer services.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10181.pdf

 

Payment Reduction for X-Rays Taken Using Computed Radiography

Announces a 7% payment reduction for computed radiography x-rays for CY 2018 – CY 2020 and a 10% reduction for CY2023 and beyond.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10188.pdf

 

Calendar Year (CY) 2018 Annual Update for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) and Laboratory Services Subject to Reasonable Charge Payment

The Calendar Year (CY) 2018 clinical laboratory fee schedule, mapping for new codes for clinical laboratory tests and updates for laboratory costs subject to the reasonable charge payment.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10409.pdf

 

January 2018 Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (I/OCE) Specifications Version 19.0

Updates to the Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (I/OCE) instructions and specifications that Medicare uses under the Outpatient Perspective Payment (OPPS) and Non-OPPS for hospital outpatient departments, and other select providers.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10385.pdf

 

January 2018 Update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)

Changes to the OPPS to be implemented in the January 2018 update.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10417.pdf

 

Summary of Policies in the Calendar Year (CY) 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, Telehealth Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Amount and Telehealth Services List, and CT Modifier Reduction List

A summary of policies in the Calendar Year (CY) 2018 MPFS Final Rule and announces the Telehealth Originating Site Facility Fee payment amount and makes other policy changes related to Medicare Part B payment. These changes are applicable to services furnished in CY 2018.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM10393.pdf

 

Medicare Special Edition Articles

 

Prohibition on Billing Dually Eligible Individuals Enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program – REVISED

Revisions concerning Remittance Advice and MSN modifications, implementation of HETS QMB, and clarification that QMBs cannot elect to pay Medicare cost-sharing but may need to pay a small Medicaid copay in certain circumstances.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1128.pdf

 

Medicare Does Not Pay Acute-Care Hospitals for Outpatient Services They Provide to Beneficiaries in a Covered Part A Inpatient Stay at Other Facilities – REVISED

Revised to include information from OIG report.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE17033.pdf

 

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Medical Review Changes

In order for IRF services to be covered, submitted documentation must sufficiently demonstrate that a beneficiary’s admission to an IRF was reasonable and necessary, according to Medicare guidelines.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE17036.pdf

 

Medicare Coverage Updates

 

Proposed Decision Memo for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (CAG-00157R4)

Proposed changes to NCD 20.4 for ICDs.

https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-proposed-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=288&TimeFrame=90&DocType=All&bc=AgAAYAAACAAAAA%3d%3d&

 

Medicare Press Releases

 

First Breakthrough-Designated Test to Detect Extensive Number of Cancer Biomarkers

On November 30, FDA approved the FoundationOne CDx (F1CDx), the first breakthrough-designated, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) test that can detect genetic mutations in 324 genes and two genomic signatures in any solid tumor type. CMS at the same time proposed coverage of the F1CDx.

https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2017-Press-releases-items/2017-11-30-2.html?DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLSort=0&DLSortDir=descending

 

CMS Finalizes Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model Changes, Cancels Episode Payment Models & Cardiac Rehabilitation Incentive Payment Model

On November 30, CMS finalized the cancellation of the mandatory hip fracture and cardiac bundled payment models and implemented changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) Model.

https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2017-Press-releases-items/2017-11-30.html?DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLSort=0&DLSortDir=descending

 

Medicare Educational Resources

 

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Reference Booklet

This guide provides education about common documentation errors, scenarios and solutions for IRF services identified by Medicare Administrative Contractors and the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) program.

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/Downloads/IRF-Reference-Booklet-909337.pdf

 

Medicare Overpayments

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/Downloads/OverpaymentBrochure508-09.pdf

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This material was compiled to share information.  MMP, Inc. is not offering legal advice. Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and useful.