Medicare Part B Targeted Probe and Educate Process

Are you familiar with targeted probe and educate? Perhaps you've heard of it but are not sure what it entails. Either way, consider attending this webinar as we cover this important topic. We'll discuss everything you need to know so if you're [...]

Laboratory Part B Billing

During this webinar, we'll review the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services billing requirements for laboratory and pathology services and includes appropriate modifier usage when submitting claims for laboratory/pathology services. There [...]

The National Correct Coding Initiative and Medically Unlikely Edits for Part B Providers

This webinar will assist Part B providers with navigating tables for the National Correct Coding Initiative and the medically unlikely edits. We will also review proper modifiers to use to avoid denials. There will be time following the [...]

Fraud Prevention and Detection

Please join us to increase your awareness of integrity issues and prevention of potential fraudulent and abusive practices against the Medicare Program. We will also review real life fraud cases. There will be time following the presentation to [...]

Medical Necessity and the Advance Beneficiary Notice

Register for this webinar and learn how to properly administer the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) within the office setting. If you are a physician, nonphysician practitioner or office staff member and interested in learning [...]

Being Compliant by Avoiding Claim Denials, Reopenings and Redeterminations

National Government Services is committed to reducing provider burden associated with Medicare claim denials, reopenings and appeals. Don’t wait until you receive the claim denials that will increase your time, effort, and cost to have the [...]

Urgent Care

Urgent Care Please explain the concepts of split/shared and incident to E/M services in the urgent care setting. Answer: The urgent care setting is defined by CMS as a nonfacility setting. This means the split/shared concept does not [...]

Transitional Care Management

Transitional Care Management Please clarify responsibility for the TCM interactive contact. Can this be performed by a hospital-employed nurse prior to discharge? Answer: The provider who is billing the TCM service is responsible for the [...]

Time-Based Services

Time-Based Services Please define rules for using time to level-set a service. Answer: In both the office and observation/inpatient setting, the provider’s time is calculated based on pre-visit, intra-visit, and post-visit activities [...]

Telehealth Services

Telehealth Services Please explain Medicare’s definition of a telehealth service. Answer: Medicare defines a telehealth service as a service provided by a Medicare-enrolled practitioner from an approved distant site for a beneficiary who [...]

Smoking Cessation

Smoking Cessation Please clarify appropriate codes for smoking cessation services. Answer: CPT codes 99406 and 99407 may be used for smoking and tobacco-use cessation counseling visits. Please clarify what constitutes a session which [...]

Skilled Nursing Facility Services

Skilled Nursing Facility Services Please define rules for initial and subsequent SNF services, when the same provider has treated the patient at another site on the same date of service. Answer: This depends on the site of the prior [...]

Separately Identifiable Service

Separately Identifiable Service Please define the appropriate use of modifier 57 to identify a separately payable E/M with an initial decision for surgery. Answer: Modifier 57 is added to an E/M service that resulted in an initial [...]

Scribes

Scribes When a physician or NPP performs a service that is documented by a scribe, what are the documentation requirements? Answer: As per CMS IOM Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 3, Section 3.3.2.4: “CMS [...]

Provider Specialty

Provider Specialty Should each MD in the same practice bill with two different taxonomy codes based on whether functioning as a cardiologist or electrophysiologist? Answer: Yes, providers should be billing with their taxonomy codes. The [...]

Prolonged Services

Prolonged Services Note: View the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Internet-Only Manual (IOM) Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12, Section 30.6.15.2 and Section 30.6.15.3 for CPT codes [...]

Nonphysician Practitioner Services

Nonphysician Practitioner Services In addition to the frequently asked questions below, please view NGS’ Nonphysician Practitioners-Reducing Costly Appeals; Increase Provider Revenue article for related information. Is it permissible for [...]

New vs. Established Patients

New vs. Established Patients How does CMS define a patient as “new” versus “established”? Answer: In 2023, the definition of a “new” patient differs based on whether the patient is being treated in an office or an observation/ inpatient [...]

Preoperative Clearance

Preoperative Clearance What requirements must be met for a preoperative clearance visit to be considered medically necessary and billable? Answer: CMS does not set requirements for medical clearance; these are established by individual [...]

IPPE and AWV Services

IPPE and AWV Providers are reminded that the IPPE and AWV are Medicare-covered services within their own benefit category. As such, they are not subject to standard “incident to” billing guidelines and must be billed by the performing [...]

Medical Decision Making

Medical Decision Making In a split/shared service, when a medical record includes a plan of care developed by the physician, based on a history and/or examination performed by the NPP and a personal review of diagnostic findings, [...]

History

As of 1/1/2023, CMS has eliminated prior specifications for documentation of a patient’s history for services provided in both the outpatient office and hospital setting, including the emergency department. The provider is expected to obtain [...]

The National Correct Coding Initiative and Medically Unlikely Edits for Part B Providers

This webinar will assist Part B providers with navigating tables for the National Correct Coding Initiative and the medically unlikely edits. We'll also review the proper modifiers to use to avoid denials. There will be time for your questions [...]

Examination

As of 1/1/2023, CMS has eliminated prior specifications for the scope of examination and associated documentation in the outpatient office and hospital settings. The provider is expected to perform and document a medically necessary and [...]

General E/M Information

General E/M Information Please explain the terms “auxiliary personnel” and “clinical staff” in the context of Medicare services.   Answer: These terms are often used in defining which staff members can perform Medicare services [...]

Critical Care Services

Critical Care Services Please define the time requirement for billing CPT code 99292. Answer: Whether critical care is performed by a single provider or on a split (or shared) basis, the time requirement for CPT code 99292 remains the [...]

Fee-For-Time Compensation Arrangements

Fee-For-Time Compensation Arrangements Can a physician return to work in his or her practice for a short period of time to reset the 60-day clock requirement for the fee-for-time compensation arrangement provider? Answer: In order for the [...]

Documentation

Documentation What are the basic documentation requirements for a service submitted to Medicare for payment? Answer: For all services submitted to Medicare, the medical record (whether electronic or paper) must clearly define the provider [...]

Complex and Chronic Care - HCPCS Code G2211

Complex and Chronic Care - HCPCS Code G2211 Please define appropriate usage and billing for HCPCS code G2211. Answer: CPT G2211 is an approved add-on code representing complex and/or continuous management in the office and outpatient [...]

Chronic Care Management

Chronic Care Management The guidelines state moderate or high complex MDM. Do the E/M guidelines apply here? Answer: Yes, the E/M guidelines for MDM are applicable, since chronic care management (CPT 99490) is included within the E/M [...]

Advanced Care Planning

Advanced Care Planning Please define documentation requirements when billing advanced care planning (CPT 99497 and 99498). Answer: ACP codes may be used with or without a base E/M code on the same date of service, based on whether a [...]

Admission and Discharge Services

Admission and Discharge Services Is it permissible for an NPP to perform an initial hospital admission or discharge service on behalf of the attending physician, or on a split/shared basis, when both are members of the same provider [...]

Teaching Environment E/M Services

Teaching Environment E/M Services Please define levels of care for E/M services that can be performed by residents in a hospital outpatient setting under the PCE rules. Answer: CMS PCE guidelines for the hospital outpatient setting permit [...]

Observation Services

Observation Services Please define guidelines for providers billing observation services. Answer: Observation services are ordered, performed and billed by the practitioner (or group), who is responsible for the patient’s care during the [...]

Split/Shared and Incident To Services

Split/Shared and Incident To Services Please define the substantive portion of a split (or shared) visit. Answer: The following factors apply in determining the substantive portion of a split (or shared) visit:   Total time [...]

Global Period Services

Global Period Services Is it permissible for providers (physicians or NPPs) other than the primary surgeon to bill for preoperative or postoperative care within a global period? Answer: The global surgery fee is paid to the primary [...]

Emergency Department

Emergency Department When a consultant has seen a patient in the ED and billed an ED code, how are subsequent services billed when the patient is then admitted to inpatient status? Answer: The ED consult (billed with an ED code [...]

Behavioral/Mental Health Services

Behavioral/Mental Health Services Please explain the parameters for mental health services delivered via telehealth to a beneficiary who is at home. Answer: As of 1/1/2025, CMS has permanently extended permission for behavioral and mental [...]

Consultations

Consultations Does CMS permit payment for consultative E/M services? Answer: CMS permits payment for medically necessary consultative E/M services. The specific E/M codes previously used to represent consultative services were [...]

Update-CMS Delay of Skin Substitutes Effective Date

Update-CMS Delay of Skin Substitutes Effective Date As part of the transition to a new Administration, CMS is reviewing its coverage policies for skin substitute products. CMS believes it is important to maintain patient access to skin [...]

PC-ACE: Is there a resource I can use to assist me with Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) claims when using PC-ACE?

DDE: I tried to access my claim through the FISS/DDE system and it will not let me pull it up. What is the problem?

DDE: Is there some place on FISS/DDE that shows how many physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT) visits the beneficiary has had?

CLAIMS: I received a denial stating that the documentation submitted did not support the medical necessity of laboratory services. Can you tell me what I can submit to support these services?

DDE: I have a claim which was fully denied and I am attempting to use the automated denial adjustment process, but the FISS/DDE system is not allowing me to adjust my claim. Why am I not able to bring up my claim and submit the adjustment?

DDE: My name changed and I need to change the name associated to my log on ID. How do I do that?

Revised and Updated Educational Frequently Asked Questions

Revised and Updated Educational Frequently Asked Questions Our educational FAQs have been updated. Please visit the Help and FAQs page under the Education section of our website to explore topics such as: ASCA Appeals CAR T-cell Therapy [...]

Acute Care Hospitals Preparing Inpatient Claims: Taking a Deeper Dive Part 2

This is part 2 of a 2-part webinar event (part 1 will be held on 4/17/2025). In part 2, Acute Care Hospitals (ACH) will learn how to complete inpatient claims for submission to Medicare in a variety of situations. Topics include bill types, [...]

Federally Qualified Health Center Basic Billing and Reimbursement

Are you a federally qualified health center (FQHC) provider eager to deepen your understanding of billing and reimbursement under FQHC prospective payment system (PPS)? Whether you're new to the role or just need a refresher, this webinar is for you!

[URGENT] NGSConnex Experiencing Intermittent Issues

NGSConnex Experiencing Intermittent Issues We are experiencing intermittent outages with NGSConnex. This is impacting Part A providers only. In some cases when a provider account is selected to perform a transaction such as ‘Eligibility [...]

FQHC Example of a Per Visit Rate Calculation for MAO Supplemental Payments

National AB Medicare Administrative Contractor Ambulance Provider/Supplier Coalition

National AB Medicare Administrative Contractor Ambulance Provider/Supplier Coalition Attention Ambulance Providers In response to numerous and continued requests from the ambulance community, the AB MACs have put together a National AB MAC [...]

MLN Connects® Newsletter: April 17, 2025

MLN Connects® Newsletter: April 17, 2025 News Clotting Factors: Medicare Part B Pays for Alhemo & Qfitlia Skilled Nursing Facilities: Revalidation Deadline Extended to August 1 Raise Awareness & Understanding of Alcohol Use and [...]

Reducing Unprocessable Claims

When claims are submitted with invalid, incomplete or incorrect information, our claims processing system will detect these errors and will reject claims as unprocessable. Our goal is to assist our providers in submitting claims correctly the [...]

National A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor Ambulance Provider/Supplier Coalition

National A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor Ambulance Provider/Supplier Coalition Attention Ambulance Providers In response to numerous and continued requests from the ambulance community, the AB MACs have put together a National AB MAC [...]

Using the Medicare Coverage Database: How to Find Important Medicare Coverage Information

Are you responsible for looking up whether a service is covered in the Medicare Program at your facility but you're not sure where to look for the most relevant information? As a healthcare provider, you are responsible for understanding and [...]

Medicare Secondary Payer: Let’s Chat About Preparing MSP and Conditional Claims

Were you unable to attend our Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) and/or Conditional Billing webinars in January and February? Do you have questions about these topics? If so, join us for this "Let's Chat" session! You may ask questions and receive [...]

Learn Over Lunch-NGSConnex Introduction

Are you considering utilizing NGSConnex and want to learn more about this portal? During this brief webinar, we will provide an overview of NGSConnex and all it has to offer.

MSP Right Hand

Helpful Resources BCRC Contact Information Note: Providers should not contact the BCRC to set up new MSP records. Instead, report MSP coding on your MSP and conditional claims. Providers should not contact the BCRC to correct MSP records to [...]

New P.O. Boxes for Part B Claim Submitters in Connecticut and New York (Upstate Counties and Queens)

New P.O. Boxes for Part B Claim Submitters in Connecticut and New York (Upstate Counties and Queens) Effective 5/19/2025, National Government Services (NGS) is closing the following Paper Claim Submission P.O. Boxes:  P.O. Box 6185 [...]