How to Avoid Costly Appeals

How to Avoid Costly Appeals This table includes helpful information to help avoid costly appeals. Use the initial submission tips and resources to help reduce claim denials and improve revenue cycle workflow issues within your office. [...]

How to Prevent Duplicate Appeal and Clerical Error Reopening Requests in NGSConnex

How to Prevent Duplicate Appeal and Clerical Error Reopening Requests in NGSConnex Do you currently submit your appeal requests and reopening requests through NGSConnex? If so, did you know you are required to verify whether a request was [...]

Five Levels of Appeals

Levels of Appeals and Time Limits for Filing Table of Contents Five Levels of Appeals: Overview Level One – Redetermination Level Two – Reconsideration (QIC) Level Three – Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Level Four – Medicare [...]

Medical Review Portal in NGSConnex

Medical Review Portal in NGSConnex If you submit fee-for-service claims to National Government Services and you are a registered NGSConnex account holder, you can respond to Medical Review ADRs and submit supporting documentation [...]

Medical Documentation Signature Requirements

Medical Documentation Signature Requirements Table of Contents Medical Documentation Signature Requirements Missing Signature Illegible Signature Signatures for Amendments, Corrections and Delayed Entries Related Content [Return to [...]

Address Corrections for Providers

Address Corrections for Providers An ADR is sent to the provider’s or physician’s address that is listed in PECOS. This is the last address that was submitted to the MAC’s Provider Enrollment Department and approved by CMS. Questions [...]

Additional Developmental Request Letters Overview

Additional Development Request Letters Overview National Government Services may require additional information in order to appropriately process claims submitted to the Medicare Program. These requests for additional information letters are [...]

How to Find and Respond to TPE ADR

How to Find and Respond to TPE ADR Once you receive notification your facility is being placed on medical review, you’ll receive instructions on how to find the ADR. The ADR is a request to submit documentation for review to ensure proper [...]

Results Letters

Results Letters After National Government Services reviews the requested claims for your facility/office, you’ll receive a Results Letter with results from that round of TPE review. The Results Letter will contain the number of claims that [...]

Appeals

Appeals Appeals Overview Providers, suppliers and beneficiaries may appeal claim determinations made by National Government Services. The appeals process aims to ensure the correct adjudication of claims. The CMS governs appeals activities [...]

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 and will become effective on the specific [...]

Get Help Completing My Enrollment Application

Since your organization can apply for Medicare enrollment in two ways, online through the PECOS system and on paper, it is important to know where to go to learn about the expected processes and guidelines. There are two main areas where you [...]

Get Help Completing My Enrollment Application

Since your organization can apply for Medicare enrollment in two ways, online through the PECOS system and on paper, it is important to know where to go to learn about the expected processes and guidelines. There are two main areas where you [...]

Initiate Part B Reopenings or Non-MSP Overpayment Adjustments in NGSConnex

Initiate Part B Reopenings or Non-MSP Overpayment Adjustments in NGSConnex Did you know that you can save time and money by requesting a Part B clerical error reopening electronically via NGSConnex? You will save time because electronic [...]

17729 and 17730 Hospice Claim Edits for Certifying Physicians

17729 and 17730 Hospice Claim Edits for Certifying Physicians Effective for hospice claims with claim ‘From’ dates on or after 6/3/2024, new claim edits have been implemented per CR 13342 to enforce CMS’ rule to deny hospice claims if the name [...]

How to Determine if the Provider is Active and Get the Provider Enrolled in Medicare Part B

How to Determine if the Provider is Active and Get the Provider Enrolled in Medicare Part B Table of Contents Determine if the Provider Has an Active Enrollment How to Enroll the Provider in Medicare Part B [Return to Top] Determine [...]

Get Help Completing My Enrollment Application

Since your organization can apply for Medicare enrollment in two ways, online through the PECOS system and on paper, it is important to know where to go to learn about the expected processes and guidelines. There are two main areas where you [...]

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 Update Clotting Factor: [...]

How to Determine if the Provider is Active and Get the Provider Enrolled in Medicare Part B

Table of Contents Determine If the Provider Has an Active Enrollment How to Enroll the Provider in Medicare Part B Determine If the Provider Has an Active Enrollment Navigate to the Medicare Fee-For-Service Public Provider Enrollment [...]

The Utilization of the KX Modifier on Dental Claims

The Utilization of the KX Modifier on Dental Claims National Government Services wants to bring to your attention the usage of the KX modifier for the submission of Medicare claims for dental services that are inextricably linked to covered [...]

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 annually; another 16 million people are living [...]

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 include an in person visit within the [...]

Report a Change of Ownership, Acquisition/Merger or Consolidation

Table of Contents Step 1: Determine You Are in the Right Place Step 2: Understand Type of CHOW Change of Ownership Acquisition/Merger Consolidation CHOW Reminders Step 3: Make Changes via Enrollment Application Change of [...]

December 2024

In This Issue National Government Services Articles for Part A and Part B Providers Two Weeks to Prepare to Use NGSConnex for Beneficiary Eligibility Information A/B DME MAC Collaborative Lower Limb Orthoses Webinar November is Lung [...]

Provider Enrollment: Announcement About Medicare Participation for Calendar Year 2025

Provider Enrollment: Announcement About Medicare Participation for Calendar Year 2025 Table of Contents Provider Enrollment: Announcement About Medicare Participation for Calendar Year 2025 Advantages of Being a Medicare-Participating [...]

Medicare Participating Physician or Supplier Agreement Form (CMS-460)

Introduction

Medicare Part B 101 Manual: Introduction Medicare Program for Part B Providers Table of Contents Introduction Medicare Administrative Contractors Medicare Contracting Reform Providers Responsible for Knowing Guidelines Medicare Part A [...]

Terms and Services

National Government Services Terms and Services Compatible carriers include: AT&T, T-Mobile®, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Boost, U.S. Cellular, Cellular One, MetroPCS, ACS/Alaska, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central Illinois, [...]

Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application

Table of Contents Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application Determine the Application Status Understand Rejection or Denial Related Content [Return to Top] Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application The CMS IOM [...]

Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application

Table of  Contents   Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application Determine the Application Status Understand Rejection or Denial Related Content Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application The CMS IOM [...]

Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application

Table of Contents Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application Determine the Application Status Understand Rejection or Denial Related Content  Get Help with Rejected/Denied Enrollment Application The CMS IOM Publication [...]

Requests for Additional Information

Table of Contents Requests for Additional Information Paper Application Submissions PECOS Application Submissions [Return to Top] Requests for Additional Information While processing the application(s), National Government [...]

Interactive Voice Response System

Interactive Voice Response System State IVR Number Hours Available* Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont 877-567-7205 Monday–Friday: 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET [...]

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 Information about Billing Medicare Flu [...]

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 starting Friday, 1/3/2025 through Sunday, [...]

Interactive Voice Response System

Interactive Voice Response System State IVR Hours Available* Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont 877-869-6504 Monday–Friday: 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET Saturday: [...]

Interactive Voice Response System

Interactive Voice Response System Toll-Free Number 877-309-4290 Hours Available* Monday–Friday: 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. ET Saturday: 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. ET *IVR hours represent general availability for access to all menu options. The IVR is [...]

Interactive Voice Response System

Interactive Voice Response System State IVR Number Hours Available* Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Island 866-277-7287 [...]

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 registration, access, navigation and [...]

Billing Protections for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries

Correct a Beneficiary's MSP Record

Table of Contents Background Step 1: Provider Receives Information Indicating Medicare Is the Primary Payer for a Beneficiary's Services Step 2: Prepare and Submit a Medicare Primary Claim With the Reason Medicare Is the Primary Payer [...]

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 influence the healthcare professionals’ [...]

Certified Provider and State Survey Agency

Certified Provider and State Survey Agency Table of Contents Certified Provider and State Survey Agency Certified Providers/Suppliers Certified Providers and Certified Suppliers That Enroll Via the Form CMS-855A Certified Suppliers [...]

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 Value-Based Purchasing Program: December [...]

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 toward our Part A providers and their [...]

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 on Monday, 12/16/2024. We apologize for [...]

HCPCS 82947 RTPs End-Stage Renal Dialysis Providers

As of 1/1/2024, Medicare has covered HbA1c tests for diabetic screening (HCPCS 82947) when billed with ICD-10 Z13.1. Some of these claims submitted by ESRD providers have been RTP'd in error.

End Stage Renal Disease Claims Returning to Providers with Reason Code 31773

Due to an issue with the October 2024 release, ESRD facility claims, type of bill 72X, are RTPing in error.

Claim Billing Guidance

Claim Billing Guidance With the end of the PHE, as of 5/11/2023, this information no longer applies. We will keep the information available for PHE-related services that occurred prior to the expiration date that have not yet been billed. [...]

Method II CAH Claims Not Paying Professional Services with Revenue Codes 096x-098x

Certain CAH claims (TOB 85X) with professional service revenue codes 096x – 098X did not process for payment because the fee amount was not correctly retrieved during processing. The affected claims have receipt/processed dates in October 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 12/18/2024

Helpful Resources

Helpful Resources The absence of a local coverage determination (LCD) or Medical Policy Article does not indicate noncoverage, it means that currently, National Government Services (NGS) has not identified the service requires an associated [...]

Medicare Part B Drug Coverage

Medicare Part B Drug Coverage Medicare Part B may provide coverage for medically necessary drugs/biologicals that are furnished “incident to” a physician’s service. This coverage does not apply to drugs that are usually [...]

Allergen Immunotherapy: Coding and Billing CPT 95165

Allergen Immunotherapy: Coding and Billing CPT 95165 CPT 95165 is defined as “Professional services for the supervision of preparation and provision of antigens for allergen immunotherapy; single or multiple antigens (specify number of [...]

[REVISED UPDATE] Hospice Claims Rejected with Reason Code 17729

Claim rejections for TOB 081X and 082X with RC 17729 have occurred due to a file error. These claims did comply with CMS-required entry of the correct certifying physician in the “Attending” field, which did match the PECOS Enrolled [...]

Description of Application Fee

The application fee is imposed on institutional providers and suppliers to cover enrollment costs. The application fee for calendar year 2025 is $730. Related Content Federal Register Notice ‒ information about how the fee was calculated [...]