News - NGSMEDICARE

Posting Date: 01/14/2025

Helping Your Patients Stop Smoking

Helping Your Patients Stop Smoking Quitting tobacco use presents various challenges for patients, and staying motivated can be difficult. All health care providers, especially those with direct patien...

Posting Date: 01/13/2025

Obtaining Beneficiary Eligibility Information Through NGSConnex

Obtaining Beneficiary Eligibility Information Through NGSConnex As a reminder, our Customer Service Representatives aren’t permitted to share eligibility information because it’s available through NG...

Posting Date: 01/10/2025

Quarterly Credit Balance Reports No Longer Required

Quarterly Credit Balance Reports No Longer Required As of 12/1/2024, providers are not required to submit the Medicare Credit Balance Report (CMS-838) on a quarterly basis. However, to ensure that mon...

Posting Date: 01/10/2025

Hospice Cap Self-Reporting Reminder for the 2024 Cap Year

Hospice Cap Self-Reporting Reminder for the 2024 Cap Year The Hospice Cap Self-Reporting for the 2024 Cap Year (10/1/2023–9/30/2024) is due no later than 2/28/2025. Hospice providers should submit the...

Posting Date: 01/09/2025

National Government Services - Telehealth Extension 2025

National Government Services - Telehealth Extension 2025 Section 3207 of the American Relief Act, 2025 modified Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act to extend the waiver of the geographic, site ...

Posting Date: 01/09/2025

Fourth Quarter Top Ten EDI Part B Edits

Fourth Quarter Top Ten EDI Part B Edits Using data analysis, we’ve updated the Top Ten EDI Edits for the 2024 fourth quarter. Visit Quarterly Top Ten EDI Part B Edits to view the edits, their descript...

Posting Date: 01/08/2025

Fourth Quarter Top Ten EDI Institutional Edits

Fourth Quarter Top Ten EDI Institutional Edits Using data analysis, we’ve updated the Top Ten EDI Edits for the 2024 fourth quarter. Visit Quarterly Top Ten EDI Institutional Edits to view the edits, ...

Posting Date: 01/08/2025

MLN Connects® Newsletter: January 8, 2025

MLN Connects® Newsletter: January 8, 2025 News Medicare Part B Vaccine Administration: CY 2025 Payment Amounts Historically Excepted Tribal Federally Qualified Health Centers: CY 2025 Payment Rate DME...

Posting Date: 01/07/2025

Fiscal Intermediary Standard System Direct Data Entry Screen Changes – January 2025

Fiscal Intermediary Standard System Direct Data Entry Screen Changes – January 2025 The January 2025 quarterly system release was implemented on 1/6/2025 with the following changes to the Claims Corre...

Posting Date: 01/07/2025

Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation

Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation Healthcare providers may choose to offer quit smoking medications to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cigarette cravings, effectively doubli...

Posting Date: 01/02/2025

LCD/Billing and Coding Article Updates – December 2024–January 2025

LCD/Billing and Coding Article Updates – December 2024–January 2025 Mass Spectrometry (MS) Testing in Monoclonal Gammopathy (MG) (L39189) – Effective 12/15/2024 Under the Indications of Coverage, adde...

Posting Date: 01/02/2025

Improving Customer Experience

Improving Customer Experience We are committed to improving your experience. Please watch this two-minute video that explains how each day we review comments from providers who submit surveys to let u...

Posting Date: 01/02/2025

Proper Submission of Reopening Requests

Proper Submission of Reopening Requests National Government Services has identified an issue where providers are submitting reopening requests to change or add diagnosis codes on paid claims. These re...

Posting Date: 12/31/2024

Virtual Multi-Jurisdictional Town Hall Meeting To Be Held 12/10/2024

Virtual Multi-Jurisdictional Town Hall Meeting To Be Held 12/10/2024 National Government Services, along with Novitas Solutions and First Coast Service Options, CGS Administrators, Noridian Healthcare...

Posting Date: 12/20/2024

Part A Fall 2024 Virtual Conference Playback

Part A Fall 2024 Virtual Conference Playback As part of our efforts to educate our provider community, we have posted all 16 educational sessions from our recent Part A Fall 2024 Virtual Conference: K...

Posting Date: 12/20/2024

Attention FQHCs: Who Is Your MAC?

Attention FQHCs: Who Is Your MAC? National Government Services serves as the CMS Jurisdiction 6 and K MAC for FQHCs in 44 states, Washington D.C. and the five United States Territories of American Sam...

Posting Date: 12/19/2024

Reminder for Correcting Hospice Edits for Certifying Physicians (17729, 17730)

Reminder for Correcting Hospice Edits for Certifying Physicians (17729, 17730) Reason Codes 17729 and 17730: Refer to specific hospice claim edits related to certifying physicians. Adjustments: Should...

Posting Date: 12/19/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: December 19, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: December 19, 2024 News MBI Lookup Tools: CMS Seeks Input by February 17 CMS Roundup (December 13, 2024) Long-Term Care Hospital Provider Preview Reports: Review by January 15...

Posting Date: 12/18/2024

Provider Enrollment Application Fee Amount for CY 2025

Provider Enrollment Application Fee Amount for CY 2025 The provider enrollment application fee for CY 2025 is $730. For more information, view MLN Connects® Newsletter: December 12, 2024. Posted 12/18...

Posting Date: 12/16/2024

Join Us to Learn About NGSConnex

Join Us to Learn About NGSConnex We’re hosting a series of webinars focused on our free, secure internet portal, NGSConnex. During each session, we’ll review what NGSConnex has to offer. We’ll discuss...

Posting Date: 12/12/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: December 12, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: December 12, 2024 News FY 2024 Medicare Fee-for-Service Improper Payment Rate Revised Home Health Change of Care Notice Form Effective February 1 Skilled Nursing Facility Val...

Posting Date: 12/12/2024

Your Lunchtime Treat! Listen to the Navigating Medicare: Part A Insights for Providers Podcast

Your Lunchtime Treat! Listen to the Navigating Medicare: Part A Insights for Providers Podcast “Lunch, listen and learn” twice a month with Medicare Part A! We have more than 15 Part A podcasts geared...

Posting Date: 12/12/2024

Intermittent Issues with NGSMedicare.com on 12/15/2024

Intermittent Issues with NGSMedicare.com on 12/15/2024 We will experience intermittent outages with NGSMedicare.com on Sunday, 12/15/2024 due to maintenance. NGSMedicare.com will be fully operational ...

Posting Date: 12/11/2024

Overcoming Barriers to Tobacco Counseling

Overcoming Barriers to Tobacco Counseling Healthcare providers may face different challenges when implementing tobacco cessation counseling into a clinical practice routine. These various factors infl...

Posting Date: 12/06/2024

Common Working File (CWF) Host Dark Days for January 2025 Release

Common Working File (CWF) Host Dark Days for January 2025 Release For Production, 1/1/2025 – Observe Holiday – No Cycle, CWF will be observing the Gray Day on Thursday, 1/2/2025 and Dark Days startin...

Posting Date: 12/05/2024

Next Week - 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference!

Next Week – 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference! We hope you’re as excited as we are about the upcoming National Government Services Medicare Part B 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference...

Posting Date: 12/05/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: December 5, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: December 5, 2024 News Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule: CY 2025 Final Payment Determinations CMS Roundup (November 29, 2024) Advanced Primary Care Management Services: Get In...

Posting Date: 12/03/2024

Rural Tobacco Disparity

Rural Tobacco Disparity Tobacco use and exposure to SHS are major causes of preventable disease, disability and mortality in the United States and are responsible for approximately 480,000 deaths annu...

Posting Date: 12/03/2024

Behavioral Health Telehealth In-Person Requirements

Behavioral Health Telehealth In-Person Requirements National Government Services has been receiving questions regarding the behavioral health telehealth requirement that the initial telehealth service...

Posting Date: 12/02/2024

Announcement About Medicare Participation for Calendar Year 2025

Announcement About Medicare Participation for Calendar Year 2025 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has posted the Announcement About Medicare Participation for Calendar Year 2025. Posted 12...

Posting Date: 12/02/2024

Provider Enrollment: Reminder for Open Enrollment and Participation Agreement

Provider Enrollment: Reminder for Open Enrollment and Participation Agreement The 2025 Annual Participation Open Enrollment Period is approaching for another year. While this is an important time (fro...

Posting Date: 12/02/2024

The CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Is Now Available

The CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Is Now Available The CY 2025 MPFS is now available. You can view the new fees using the Fee Schedule Lookup tool page on NGSMedicare.com. Posted 12/2/2024

Posting Date: 11/27/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 27, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 27, 2024 News Opioid Treatment Programs: CY 2025 Updates HIV Screening & Prevention Claims, Pricers, & Codes Home Health Prospective Payment System Grouper: January ...

Posting Date: 11/26/2024

Explore Our Exciting Sessions at the 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference!

Explore Our Exciting Sessions at the 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference! View All Our Sessions and Register Now! As we gear up for the National Government Services Medicare Part B 2024 Preven...

Posting Date: 11/25/2024

Obtaining Beneficiary Eligibility Information Through NGSConnex

Obtaining Beneficiary Eligibility Information Through NGSConnex As a reminder, our Customer Service Representatives aren’t permitted to share eligibility information because it’s available through NG...

Posting Date: 11/25/2024

Reminder: The Self-Service Pulse Has Ended

Reminder: The Self-Service Pulse Has Ended We sincerely thank you for being a loyal reader of our Self-Service Pulse each week. To continue receiving updates on our latest self-service tools and servi...

Posting Date: 11/25/2024

Health Equity Vaccination Efforts: Achieving the Highest Level of Health and Well-Being for Your Patients

Health Equity Vaccination Efforts: Achieving the Highest Level of Health and Well-Being for Your Patients Health equity is the concept that all people should have a fair and just chance to be as healt...

Posting Date: 11/25/2024

LCD and Article Updates for November 2024

LCD and Article Updates for November 2024 Local Coverage Determinations and Billing and Coding Articles The following Local Coverage Determinations and Billing and Coding Articles have been finalized ...

Posting Date: 11/21/2024

All Part B Providers – Register Now!

All Part B Providers – Register Now! Don't miss your chance to attend! Don't miss your chance to attend the National Government Services Medicare Part B 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference! Re...

Posting Date: 11/21/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 21, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 21, 2024 News Medicare-Funded Physician Residency Positions CMS Roundup (November 15, 2024) Hepatitis B Vaccine: Billing Requirement Update Effective January 1 Hospi...

Posting Date: 11/20/2024

Start Your Morning with a Podcast - Navigating Medicare: Part A Insights for Providers

Start Your Morning with a Podcast - Navigating Medicare: Part A Insights for Providers Did you know we have a podcast channel on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts that are just for our providers? On you...

Posting Date: 11/18/2024

Urgent: Starting Today 11/18/2024, Beneficiary Eligibility Information Not Offered on the IVR

Urgent: Starting Today 11/18/2024, Beneficiary Eligibility Information Not Offered on the IVR As we’ve communicated, starting today, 11/18/2024, you won’t have access to beneficiary eligibility inform...

Posting Date: 11/15/2024

Urgent: Beginning Monday 11/18/2024, Beneficiary Eligibility Information Not Offered on the IVR

Urgent: Beginning Monday 11/18/2024, Beneficiary Eligibility Information Not Offered on the IVR As we’ve communicated, beginning Monday 11/18/2024, beneficiary eligibility information will not be offe...

Posting Date: 11/14/2024

Register Now for the 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference!

Register Now for the 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference! Dive deep into critical preventive services topics! All Part B Providers! Register now for the National Government Services Medicare P...

Posting Date: 11/14/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 14, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 14, 2024 News 2025 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles Medicare Participation for CY 2025 Ambulance Fee Schedule: CY 2025 Final Policies Prior Authorizatio...

Posting Date: 11/14/2024

November 21st is The Great American Smokeout

November 21st is The Great American Smokeout You Can Help Your Patients Quit Smoking Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. At least 70% of cigarette smokers see a clinician...

Posting Date: 11/11/2024

One Week Until Beneficiary Eligibility Information Leaves the IVR

One Week Until Beneficiary Eligibility Information Leaves the IVR As we’ve communicated, beginning 11/18/2024, beneficiary eligibility information will not be offered on the IVR. This includes all be...

Posting Date: 11/11/2024

Submitting Electronic Medical Records

Submitting Electronic Medical Records National Government Services can accept medical records submitted on a CD or thumb drive however, submitting via our free, secure, web-based portal NGSConnex is p...

Posting Date: 11/07/2024

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and worldwide. Although education, research and treatment options for lung cancer have dra...

Posting Date: 11/07/2024

Registration Now Open for the 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference!

Registration Now Open for the 2024 Preventive Services Virtual Conference! We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the National Government Services Medicare Part B 2024 Preventiv...

Posting Date: 11/07/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 7, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: November 7, 2024 Final Rules Physician Fee Schedule CY 2025 Final Rule Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System & Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System CY 2025 Fina...

Posting Date: 11/04/2024

Two Weeks to Prepare to use NGSConnex for Beneficiary Eligibility Information

Two Weeks to Prepare to use NGSConnex for Beneficiary Eligibility Information As we’ve communicated, beginning 11/18/2024, Beneficiary Eligibility information will not be offered on the IVR. This incl...

Posting Date: 11/04/2024

Coming Soon ‒ The CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

Coming Soon ‒ The CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule The CY 2025 MPFS will soon be available on the Fee Schedule Lookup tool located on NGSMedicare.com, after the CY 2025 physician fee schedule r...

Posting Date: 10/31/2024

Top Claim Errors Reviewed and Updated

Top Claim Errors Reviewed and Updated Using data analysis, we review and update the Top Claim Errors on a quarterly basis and provide: the error reason code; a description of the error; the error type...

Posting Date: 10/31/2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: October 31, 2024

MLN Connects® Newsletter: October 31, 2024 News Medicare Shared Savings Program Continues to Deliver Meaningful Savings and High-Quality Health Care Compliance Major Hip & Knee Replacement or Reattach...

Posting Date: 10/29/2024

Top Claim Errors Reviewed and Updated

Top Claim Errors Reviewed and Updated Using data analysis, we review and update the Top Claim Errors on a quarterly basis and provide: the error reason code; a description of the error; the error type...

Posting Date: 10/29/2024

Frequently Asked Questions Have Been Reviewed and Updated

Frequently Asked Questions Have Been Reviewed and Updated We’ve reviewed and updated our educational FAQs. Visit our Help and FAQs page located within the Education section of our website. Please take...

Posting Date: 10/29/2024

Don’t Wait Until 11/18/2024 To Use NGSConnex for Beneficiary Eligibility Information

Don’t Wait Until 11/18/2024 To Use NGSConnex for Beneficiary Eligibility Information As we’ve communicated, beginning 11/18/2024, Beneficiary Eligibility information will not be offered on the IVR. T...

Posting Date: 10/28/2024

A/B DME MAC Collaborative Lower Limb Orthoses Webinar

A/B DME MAC Collaborative Lower Limb Orthoses Webinar This is your opportunity to hear directly from the Medicare contractors regarding Medicare’s criteria necessary for the coverage of lower limb ort...

Posting Date: 10/24/2024

Frequently Asked Questions Have Been Reviewed and Updated

Frequently Asked Questions Have Been Reviewed and Updated We’ve reviewed and updated our educational FAQs. Visit our Help and FAQs page located within the Education section of our website. Topics avai...