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March 2023 PAR PRO Tip: Facet Joint Interventions to Require Prior Authorization July 1, 2023

Published on 

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

 | Billing 
 | Outpatient Services 

MMP’s Protection Assessment Report (P.A.R.) combines current Medicare Fee-for-Service review targets (i.e., MAC, RAC, OIG) with hospital specific paid claims data made possible through a collaboration with RealTime Medicare Data (RTMD). Monthly, we spotlight review activities. This month, we bring you highlights from the MACs as they prepare for and provide education related to facet joint interventions being added to Prior Authorization for Certain Hospital Outpatient (OPD) Services CMS initiative.

Prior Authorization for Certain Hospital Outpatient Department Services

CMS implemented this initiative through the Calendar Year 2020 Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center (OPPS/ASC) Final Rule (CMS-1717-FC). Effective for claims on or after July 1, 2023, CMS has added facet joint interventions to the list of services requiring prior authorization. This service category includes facet joint interventions, medial branch blocks, and facet joint nerve destruction. A list of the specific CPT codes is in Table 103 of the CY 2023 OPPS/ASC Final Rule (CMS-1772-FC). Following is current guidance available on MAC websites:

J15: CGS Administrators LLC 

 “CGS will accept prior authorization requests for these services beginning on June 18, 2023…Information specific to facet joints will be added as it becomes available.” https://cgsmedicare.com/parta/pa/subs/facet.html 

JN: First Coast Service Options Inc.

On March 14th, First Coast added information regarding facet joint interventions to their Prior Authorization for certain hospital OPD services webpage (https://medicare.fcso.com/Prior_authorization/0462251.asp). At the same time, they published a separate article titled Be sure you are billing correctly for Prior authorization (PA) for face jont interventions (https://medicare.fcso.com/Prior_authorization/0502063.asp). 

JE/JF: Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC

“Introductory letters will be mailed during the month of May 2023, to providers currently billing for facet joint interventions in hospital OPDs.” https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jfa/article-detail/-/view/10529/prior-authorization-pa-for-facet-joint-intervention 

J6/JK: National Government Services Inc.

“On 6/15/2023, National Government Services will begin accepting prior authorization requests for facet joint services.” https://www.ngsmedicare.com/web/ngs/news-article-details?selectedArticleId=5301347&lob=93617&state=97206&region=93624&rgion=93624 

JH/JL: Novitas Solutions Inc.

As of March 14th, information about facet joint interventions as part of the prior authorization initiative has not been added to the Novitas website. Novitas does have a very informative webpage dedicated to this program (https://www.novitas-solutions.com/webcenter/portal/MedicareJH/pagebyid?contentId=00227906). I encourage you to check this webpage often for updates. 

JJ/JM: Palmetto GBA, LLC

“On June 15, 2023, Palmetto GBA will begin accepting prior authorization requests for facet joint services (https://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/jja.nsf/DID/DRQXB9GMCH#ls).” 

Also, Palmetto GBA is hosting a webinar on April 13, 2023. During this webinar they will discuss the OPD process, the new CPT codes that are being added for Facet Joint Interventions and required documentation. If you are interested in attending this webinar, the webinar announcement includes a link to sign up (https://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/jja.nsf/DID/5PH0PBABNZ#ls). 

J5/J8: Wisconsin Physicians Service Government Health Administrators

The topic for WPS’s monthly medical review errors webinar on March 21st is Facet Joint documentation. During this webinar, WPS will focus on the documentation requirements for facet joint interventions, to aid in avoiding future denials. https://www.wpsgha.com/wps/portal/mac/site/training/guides-and-resources/live-events/ 

Moving Forward

Visit your MACs website frequently to:

Identify when they will begin to accept prior authorization requests and for any updates or planned educational sessions, 

 Identify applicable Medicare Coverage Documents (Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) and Local Billing and Coding Articles (LCAs)), and

Ensure key stakeholders are aware of the need for prior authorization effective July 1, 2023 (i.e., Outpatient Department Nurse Manager, Scheduling, Physicians performing these procedures) and educate them on applicable documentation requirements found in the LCDs and LCAs.

Article Author: Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS
Beth Cobb, RN, BSN, ACM, CCDS, is the Manager of Clinical Analytics at Medical Management Plus, Inc. Beth has over twenty-five years of experience in healthcare including eleven years in Case Management at a large multi-facility health system. In her current position, Beth is a principle writer for MMP’s Wednesday@One weekly e-newsletter, an active member of our HIPAA Compliance Committee, MMP’s Education Department Program Director and co-developer of MMP’s proprietary Compliance Protection Assessment Tool.

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.