APPEALS: Is there a time limit for filing an appeal?

APPEALS: Where can I find the regulations on Medicare appeals?

APPEALS: Can one appeal a claim that rejected with MA130?

APPEALS: I received a remittance advice with the message “this care may be covered by another payer per coordination of benefits.” Is this an appealable claim?

APPEALS: Another denial we see is “This service has been provided at a frequency that is more than the medically appropriate indication by policy or regulation.” How can we avoid these denials?

APPEALS: What are the top appeals submitted to NGS?

APPEALS: We are a large group with many physician and nonphysician practitioners. When we submit claims for nonphysician practitioners working in different sub-specialties, we receive denials that state: D984: Coverage/program guidelines not met, N20: Service not payable with other service rendered on the same day.

MLN Connects® Newsletter: July 15, 2025

MLN Connects® Newsletter: July 15, 2025 CMS Proposes Physician Payment Rule to Significantly Cut Spending Waste, Enhance Quality Measures, and Improve Chronic Disease Management for People with Medicare Posted 7/15/2025

[RESOLVED] NGSConnex and IVR Experiencing Outages

[RESOLVED] NGSConnex and IVR Experiencing Outages We were experiencing outages with our web portal, NGSConnex and the IVR System. Part B providers were unable to check claim status, appeal status or submit appeal and reopening requests via [...]

Modifier 22 Supporting Documentation for Part B claims

Modifier 22 Supporting Documentation for Part B claims The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Internet-Only-Manual, Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12, Section 40.2.10 Unusual Circumstances states: [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]