Fundamentals of Medicare

Reopening versus Redetermination

Reopening versus Redetermination Table of contents Reopening versus Redetermination Reopening Telephone Reopening Unit Redeterminations [Return to Top] Reopening versus Redetermination Understanding your next steps are very [...]

PC-ACE Software Instructions, Resources and Guides

PC-ACE Software Instructions, Resources and Guides Creating a 276 Claim Status Request in PC-ACE and Importing and Reading the 277 Claim Status Report PC-ACE Software – For Professional Users: Importing and Reading the 999 & 277CA Files [...]

Screening Mammography

Preventive Services Guide Screening Mammography A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Screening mammograms are routinely administered to detect breast cancer in women who have no apparent symptoms. Coverage Guidelines and Frequency Limits [...]

MLN Connects® Newsletter: March 25, 2025

MLN Connects® Newsletter: March 25, 2025 News ESRD: Payment for Phosphate Binders Effective January 1, 2025 Hospitals: Apply for Additional Residency Positions by March 31 Skilled Nursing Facilities: Revalidation Deadline is May 1 [...]

Understanding the Approval Recommendation Process for Certified Providers

Understanding the Approval Recommendation Process for Certified Providers The certified provider completes and submits a CMS-855 enrollment application and all supporting documentation to its MAC, including any state require documentation [...]

Medical Review: Targeted Probe and Educate Review Topics

Jurisdiction K Part A Targeted Probe and Educate: Medical Review Topics Topic CPT Code(s) Common Denials Resources Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed) 11042, 11045 [...]

About Appeals

About Appeals Table of Contents About Appeals Reopening vs. Redetermination Reopening Redetermination [Return to Top] About Appeals Providers and beneficiaries have the right to appeal claim determinations made by National [...]

REMITTANCE: What do the two-letter codes on my remittance advice mean?

PC-ACE: Where can I find out more about the PC-ACE free billing software?

PC-ACE: Why did my PC-ACE software expire?

Provider Enrollment

Medicare Part B 101 Manual Provider Enrollment Table of Contents National Provider Identifier Required Tips for Successfully Enrolling with the Medicare Part B Contractor When Mailing Paper Applications Tip 1: Submit the correct [...]

CMS Is Using Multi-Factor Authentication Process for Online Provider Enrollment System Applications

CMS Is Using Multi-Factor Authentication Process for Online Provider Enrollment System Applications CMS announced they utilize an MFA process for users of their Provider Enrollment Systems.  MFA is a second layer of security used to [...]

National Government Services Medicare Part B Redetermination Notice Initiative Is Here

National Government Services Medicare Part B Redetermination Notice Initiative Is Here As previously announced, National Government Services is pleased to announce we are discontinuing issuing paper MRNs for requests submitted electronically [...]

Credentialing, Enrollment and Revalidation

Credentialing, Enrollment and Revalidation Table of Contents Requirements Facilities that are not qualified Qualifications Application Forms You Will Need Required Application Fee Documentation State Survey, Tie-in Notice [...]

Coverage Criteria and Frequency Limits

Coverage Criteria and Frequency Limits Table of Contents Counseling to Prevent Tobacco Use Diagnosis Coding Cost Sharing Reimbursement Nonparticipating Providers Related Content [Return to Top] Counseling to Prevent Tobacco Use [...]

Counseling to Prevent Tobacco Use and Tobacco Related Diseases Job Aid

April 2025 EDI Front End Quarterly Release

April 2025 EDI Front End Quarterly Release Please be advised that while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandated release for April 2025 was installed the weekend of 4/6/2025, the code set updates included with this release [...]

Social Security Income Ratios

Social Security Income Ratios The federal fiscal year 2023 SSI ratios for IPPS hospitals, IRF and LTCH were posted on the CMS website. IPPS IRF LTCH NGS will update the latest published 2023 SSI ratios in the Provider Specific File of [...]

Top J6 Part B Claim Errors are Available

Top J6 Part B Claim Errors are Available We conduct a comprehensive data analysis on a quarterly basis to update and disseminate the latest insights on the most common claim errors. This initiative provides: Claim Error Reason Code [...]

W7113

Avoiding/Correcting This Error Prevent future similar errors by checking the I/OCE and ICD-10 official guidelines prior to claim submission. Verify the diagnosis codes reported; correct and resubmit. Related Content The I/OCE Quarterly [...]

38031

Avoiding/Correcting This Error If appropriate, correct and resubmit a new claim. To prevent this error on future claims, ensure you have received all charges from all departments and that no claim has been submitted for the same DOS and [...]

32404

Verify HCPCS code using the FISS Inquiries HCPCS file (option 14). Allowable HCPCS codes will be displayed based on DOS. Avoiding/Correcting This Error Use the claims correction option to report the appropriate HCPCS/CPT code and resubmit the [...]

32266

Avoiding/Correcting This Error Report influenza virus, pneumococcal pneumonia virus, and COVID-19 vaccines (and administration) with your charges on the 77X claim for informational and data collection purposes only. Report revenue code 0771 [...]

N5052

Avoiding/Correcting This Error The beneficiary’s name listed on the claim has to be an exact match to what is posted on CWF. Be sure that any special characters (including apostrophes, dashes, commas) and suffixes (Jr., Sr., III) that are [...]

U5220

Avoiding/Correcting This Error Verify the MBI and date(s) of service. If services were provided prior to the date the beneficiary was entitled to Medicare, no further action is necessary. Otherwise, correct and resubmit.

U538Q

Avoiding/Correcting This Error Medicare does not pay for medical items/services furnished to an alien beneficiary who was not lawfully present in the United States on the date of service that the items/services were furnished. Related Content [...]

34293

Avoiding/Correcting This Error Review your beneficiary’s enrollment in a Medicare HMO/MAO prior to providing services. A beneficiary may drop MAO coverage; review the CWF, IVR, NGSConnex, or HETS to identify a termination date for the MAO [...]

3/13/2025 Part B POE Advisory Group Meeting

3/13/2025 Part B POE Advisory Group Meeting Meeting Minutes Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m.‒12:00 p.m. ET Member Attendees: Doris Barnes, Aurelia Barraco, Brenda Bedard, Sheila Bembeneck, Madelon Berger, Todd Bergstrom, Kimberly Bischel, Mollie [...]

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes Jurisdiction 6 and Jurisdiction K Combined Meeting 3/13/2025 Meeting 12/12/2024 Meeting 9/18/2024 Meeting 6/12/2024 Meeting

New Version of PC-ACE: April 2025

New Version of PC-ACE: April 2025 PC-ACE Version 6.6 contains several CMS mandates and product enhancements including but not limited to the items listed below. 13891 – Implement Operating Rules – Phase III Electronic Remittance Advice [...]

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes Jurisdiction 6 Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Northern Mariana Island, Oregon, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington and Wisconsin [...]

[RESOLVED] NGS Phone Lines Currently Unavailable

[RESOLVED] NGS Phone Lines Experiencing Outages The outages we were experiencing with our Provider Contact Center telephone lines have now been resolved. This includes EDI, Provider Enrollment Customer Inquiry, Telephone Reopening Unit and [...]

CMS to Begin Using MFA Process for Online Provider Enrollment System Applications

CMS to Begin Using MFA Process for Online Provider Enrollment System Applications CMS recently announced they will begin utilizing a MFA process for users of their Provider Enrollment Systems. MFA is a second layer of security used to [...]

Credit Balance Report - CMS 838 (R3)

Chapter VII: Online Reports View Submenu (04) Credit Balance Report - CMS 838 (R3) Purpose Credit balance reporting is used to certify whether you have any outstanding monies owed to the Medicare Program. Part A providers submit credit [...]

Additional Events Links

Resources Education Partnership Request Form Five Steps to Webinar Success Provider Outreach and Education Reminders

Additional Events Links

Resources Education Partnership Request Form Five Steps to Webinar Success Provider Outreach and Education Reminders

DDE: How do I get my log on ID password reset?

Additional Events Links

Resources Education Partnership Request Form Five Steps to Webinar Success Provider Outreach and Education Reminders

Additional Events Links

Resources Education Partnership Request Form Five Steps to Webinar Success Provider Outreach and Education Reminders

Provider Outreach and Education Reminders

Telehealth Services

Telehealth Services Table of Contents General Information Originating Site Distant Site List of Covered Medicare Telehealth Services Billing Facility Fee for Originating Site Payment for Professional Fee Place of [...]

Telehealth Extension 2025

Telehealth Extension 2025 A Congressional continuing resolution bill has extended telehealth coverage for services in all U.S. geographic locations through 9/30/2025. Based on this guidance, National Government Services will continue to pay [...]

Hospital Acquired Conditions and Present on Admission Resource for Acute Care Hospital Facilities

Hospital Acquired Conditions and Present on Admission Resource for Acute Care Hospital Facilities The hospital is the entity required to bill POA indicators on all inpatient claims billed to Medicare. However, accurate coding of all diagnosis [...]

NCCI Lookup Tool Top

National Correct Coding Initiative Lookup Tool The NCCI PTP lookup tool is designed to help providers identify when certain codes are subject to the automated code pair edits. When two codes of an edit pair are identified, the major code [...]

Exemption Process for the Prior Authorization Program for Certain Hospital Outpatient Department Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a prior authorization program for certain hospital outpatient department (OPD) services for date of service (DOS) on or after 7/1/2020 and subsequently added an exemption [...]

Let’s Chat: Prior Authorization for Certain Hospital Outpatient Department Services

This Let’s Chat session focuses on Prior Authorization for certain hospital outpatient department (OPD) services and is an informal opportunity for you to chat with our staff about the selected topic. During the session, you may ask us [...]

32402

Avoiding/Correcting This Error Verify HCPCS code using the FISS DDE Inquiries HCPCS file (option 14) to determine the allowable revenue codes based upon the date of service. Verify billing and, if appropriate, correct the claim using the [...]

Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor Overview and Coverage for Dental Services

Medicare covers a limited number of dental services. The purpose of this webinar is to familiarize dental providers with National Government Services (NGS) and Medicare Part B dental coverage. Discussion will include an overview of the NGS [...]

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database

Medicare offers several tools to help providers bill their services. Many questions you have can be answered by learning how to access and use the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database. We hope you'll join us for an overview of this database.

Medicare Part B Drugs and Biologicals

Medicare Part B covers certain drugs and biologicals, which require specific billing guidelines. During this webinar, we’ll assist NGS Part B providers in navigating proper billing for these services. There will be time following the [...]

Provider Enrollment: Completing the CMS-855I Paper Application

During this webinar, we’ll provide an understanding of how to complete the CMS-855I provider enrollment paper application for a group member, sole proprietor or sole owner and we’ll also focus on reassigning Medicare benefits.

Provider Enrollment Revalidation Overview

During this webinar, learn about important changes in the revalidation process, how to determine Medicare enrollment revalidation due date and information to avoid disruption in Medicare billing.

Provider Enrollment: Completing the CMS-855A Paper Application

During this webinar, we’ll provide an understanding of how to complete the CMS-855A provider enrollment paper application.

Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities: Preparing and Submitting Compliant Claims to Medicare

In this session, we will review Medicare's general inpatient billing requirements for Inpatient Psychiatric Facility's including bill types, billing frequency, interim billing, benefits exhaust billing, billing for electroconvulsive [...]

NGSConnex-Account Management

Do you need assistance with login issues and account suspensions? Do you know who your Local Security Officer is and what they are responsible for? We will also review how to edit the user profile and updating access within the portal. After [...]

Introduction to Medicare Part I

Join us for Introduction to Medicare Part I, if you are a new provider/staff member or need a refresher in the Medicare Part B Program. Topics include Jurisdictions, NGS Website, Medicare Enrollment, Electronic Billing, Medicare Compliance, [...]