Geriatrics - Medicare matters http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Medicare+matters/Article/list/137 Don Self, a Medicare coding expert, answers questions about coding and how providers can maximize Medicare reimbursement. 2009-11-21T08:03:10Z Medicare Q & A: Can an emergency department visit be billed if a Medicare patient is triaged by a nurse but leaves before seeing a physician? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Can-an-emergency-department-visit/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/633199?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 In a physician clinic, billing is fee-for-service, but rural health clinics are paid from Medicare Part A on an encounter basis and the encounter has to be performed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. 2009-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412009/633199null XML Medicare Q & A: Because Medicare pays less for a B-12 service than the B-12 costs me, can I have a patient sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice and then bill the patient separately? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Because-Medicare-pays-less-for-a-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/633205?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You are not allowed to bill a patient for a covered service that is bundled into another service even if the patient signs an Advanced Beneficiary Notice. 2009-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412009/633205null XML Medicare Q & A: If after surgery, during post-op, a surgeon asks me to see my patient because of abnormal lab results can I bill a consultation for that hospital day? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-after-surgery-during-post-op-a/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/633200?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If a surgeon is asking for your opinion, post-op, on a patient because of abnormal lab results, you can charge a consultation. 2009-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412009/633200null XML Medicare Q & A: If an EKG is taken at the hospital on a patient, but I don't read the results and do my interpretation until the next day, what date should be put on the interpretation http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-an-EKG-is-taken-at-the-hospita/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/633201?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Use the actual date of any service. If interpretation and technical portion are done on separate dates, you would charge on the separate dates. 2009-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412009/633201null XML Medicare Q & A: If I perform a diagnostic test on a patient in my office and then send the test to a physician in another country for interpretation, can I still be paid for the technical portion of the test? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-perform-a-diagnostic-test-on/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/633197?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You can be paid for the technical portion of a diagnostic test being sent to another country, but Medicare cannot pay for an interpretation provided outside the United States. 2009-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412009/633197null XML Medicare Q & A: If Medicare decides documentation from a former member of a practice doesn't support the levels that were billed, who will be responsible for paying Medicare back? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-Medicare-decides-documentation/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/622643?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If payment to a former member of a practice was reassigned to the group, and the documentation is found wanting, it will be up to the group practice to pay Medicare any recoupment and/or fines. 2009-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/362009/622643null XML Medicare Q & A: In regards to a collection issue, is there a Medicare requirement that statements be sent to patients at certain intervals? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-In-regards-to-a-collection-issue-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/622650?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 There is no requirement by Medicare that you send a final notice or certified letter before you turn a patient over to a collection agency. 2009-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/362009/622650null XML Medicare Q & A: At a recent seminar I heard that Medicare no longer allows physician assistants or nurse practitioners to perform consultations. Is that correct? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-At-a-recent-seminar-I-heard-that-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/622649?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Physician assistants and nurse practitioners can bill consultations to Medicare on new or established patients. Use the outpatient consultation codes in the office (99241-99245) or inpatient consult codes 99251-99255. 2009-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/362009/622649null XML Medicare Q & A: Is there a billing difference between a private practice and a rural health clinic when a medical assistant or nurse performs a nurse visit and documents the blood pressure on a warfarin patient? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Is-there-a-billing-difference-bet/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/622640?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 In a physician clinic, billing is fee-for-service, but rural health clinics are paid from Medicare Part A on an encounter basis and the encounter has to be performed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. 2009-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/362009/622640null XML Medicare Q & A: Am I required to send the referring physician my letter when I am performing a consultation in the hospital? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Am-I-required-to-send-the-referri/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/616674?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Current rules require sending an opinion to a referring physician unless there is a "commonality" of records, meaning the other physician has equal access to the hospital chart. 2009-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/322009/616674null XML Medicare Q & A: Can I bill for a home health discharge? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Can-I-bill-for-a-home-health-disc/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/616668?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 There is no code or payment mechanism for paying a physician for discharging a patient from home health services. 2009-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/322009/616668null XML Medicare Q & A: Can I be paid by Medicare for a pulse oximetry obtained during an office visit? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Can-I-be-paid-by-Medicare-for-a-p/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/616673?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Because it is bundled with a visit, Medicare will not pay for a pulse oximetry and will not allow a separate billing of the patient for it if a visit was charged on the same day. 2009-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/322009/616673null XML Medicare Q & A: Canl I bill for an unrelated second visit of a Medicare patient who was in earlier in the week to have some premalignant lesions destroyed? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Canl-I-bill-for-an-unrelated-seco/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/616676?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 A global fee period assigned by Medicare to each procedure determines the required times between billable visits. 2009-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/322009/616676null XML Medicare Q & A: Is it true that Medicare has a regulation that will require all physicians to have a certified coder on staff by 2011? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Is-it-true-that-Medicare-has-a-re/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/616677?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 There is no Medicare regulation, CMS regulation, or law that says a certified coder must be on staff by any date. 2009-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/322009/616677null XML Medicare Q & A: A patient dies at the hospital late at night and I arrive to pronounce shortly after midnight. Which date should I put on the claim? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-A-patient-dies-at-the-hospital-la/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/608975?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You could bill it on the date you actually pronounced the patient. The only discharge code you could charge for would be 99238 because 99239 requires more than 30 minutes and you would not spend that much time to do the pronouncement. 2009-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/282009/608975null XML Medicare Q & A: I spent considerable time with a patient and the family for an admit and discharge done on the same day. Am I allowed to bill the prolonged codes? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-spent-considerable-time-with-a-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/608974?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Prolonged service codes cover beyond "normal" time, but admit and discharge on same day do not have accociated times so you would can't bill prolonged codes with them. 2009-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/282009/608974null XML Medicare Q & A: If I order lab tests to be completed STAT, is there a code that I can use to be reimbursed for the additional charge that the outside lab charges me? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-order-lab-tests-to-be-comple/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/608976?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 There is no CPT or HCPCS code to denote urgency or STAT. This is a good reason you should consider doing lab in your own office. 2009-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/282009/608976null XML Medicare Q & A: Can I bill for evaluation and management (E&M) if I am working with the patient's family and the patient is not present? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Can-I-bill-for-evaluation-and-man/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/608969?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare requires the patient to be present for E&M and if family is present prohibits billing them because the allowed amount bundles time spent with the patient's family. 2009-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/282009/608969null XML Medicare Q & A: We have Medicare patients who won't pay their coinsurance for services rendered. Can we send them to collections? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-We-have-Medicare-patients-who-won/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/608981?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You are allowed to send Medicare patients to a collection agency or use the same normal collection methods as for non-Medicare patients. 2009-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/282009/608981null XML Medicare Q & A: Does Medicare require me to sign every progress note on patients seen by a nurse practitioner in our practice? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Does-Medicare-require-me-to-sign-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/608977?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare doesn't require you to sign the notes of a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Some states may require a signoff on certain ones, though, so check your state's scope of practice and rules. 2009-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/282009/608977null XML Medicare Q & A: We are seeing a patient from another state with a different carrier than the one we use. Which carrier do we bill? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-We-are-seeing-a-patient-from-anot/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601868?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Always bill the Medicare carrier that has jurisdiction in the place of service (your office), regardless of where the patient lives. 2009-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/232009/601868null XML Medicare Q & A: I have read that we should expect reductions in Medicare payments next year for family practice. Should I consider reducing the number of Medicare patients? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-have-read-that-we-should-expect/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601873?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare is increasing amounts being paid for diagnostics and labs that family physicians perform. Physicians attuned to this are increasing their monthly net revenue by 30% or more. 2009-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/232009/601873null XML Medicare Q & A: I was informed that Medicare no longer allows us to bill 15 to 27 months retroactively and that we are now limited to 30 days. Is this true? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-was-informed-that-Medicare-no-l/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601871?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 A physician practicing with a Medicare number back in 2007 can file claims through the end of 2009 for dates of service back to October 1, 2007. 2009-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/232009/601871null XML Medicare Q & A: We have a Medicare patient who remains noncompliant and I would like to dismiss him as a patient, but can we do that with Medicare? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-We-have-a-Medicare-patient-who-re/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601866?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You are allowed to dismiss or divorce a Medicare patient. To be safe, you should check with your malpractice carrier to find out your state requirements for the wording of the dismissal letter. 2009-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/232009/601866null XML Medicare Q & A: I joined an internal medicine practice that still uses the old style Advanced Beneficiary Notice. If we're audited, will we be in trouble? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-joined-an-internal-medicine-pra/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601877?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Billings for Medicare patients would have to be refunded if the new style Advanced Beneficiary Notice is not being used. It became mandatory for use on March 1, 2009. 2009-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/232009/601877null XML Medicare Q & A: Can I bill Medicare for discussing end-of-life decisions with a patient? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Can-I-bill-Medicare-for-discussin/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601865?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If more than half of the time spent with the patient was in counseling and/or coordination of care, use the CPT book to determine which level of visit code to bill. 2009-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/232009/601865null XML Medicare Q & A: I make rounds on nursing home patients every 60 days, but sometimes patients have problems between my scheduled visits and I have to return to see them. Why can't I bill for these visits? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-make-rounds-on-nursing-home-pat/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/597273?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You can bill for all nursing home visits that are medically necessary. There used to be a once-per-month limitation per patient; now medical necessity dictates whether you can bill. 2009-05-01T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/192009/597273null XML Medicare Q & A: I make rounds in the morning and my partner makes rounds in the evening. Often, Medicare is denying one of us for one of the visits. Should we be using a modifier? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-make-rounds-in-the-morning-and-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/597278?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 A modifier will not help in getting paid if physicians in the same group practice and same specialty both treat the same conditions of the same hospitalized patient on the same day. 2009-05-01T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/192009/597278null XML Medicare Q & A: A patient who goes to the Emergency Department to have sutures placed may come to my office a week later to have the sutures removed. How do I bill for that? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-A-patient-who-goes-to-the-Emergen/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/597276?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 For suture removal, use office visit codes of low level, such as 99212. A modifier is not needed as long as you are not in the same group practice as the Emergency Department physician. 2009-05-01T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/192009/597276null XML Medicare Q & A: I have patients on Coumadin and have their International Normalized Ratio (INR) checked weekly or twice per week, and adjust the dose if needed. Is there a way to bill for checking INR without seeing the patient in the office? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-have-patients-on-Coumadin-and-h/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/597282?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You can't bill for PT/INR unless someone in your office is seeing the patient, because Medicare requires a face-to-face with the patient. 2009-05-01T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/192009/597282null XML Medicare Q & A: If I see a patient in the hospital outpatient department, should I bill using the Hospital Observation codes or should I use ER codes? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-see-a-patient-in-the-hospita/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/597268?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 The circumstances dictate which codes to use if you see a patient in the outpatient department, such as convenience to yourself because you are at the hospital making rounds. 2009-05-01T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/192009/597268null XML Medicare Q & A: When doing ultrasounds in our office for thyroid conditions and diagnostic purposes, are we able to bill for the professional (modifier 26) and the technical (modifier TC) parts of this? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-When-doing-ultrasounds-in-our-off/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/585388?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 When doing ultrasounds in your office you would bill with either the professional (26) or technical (TC) modifier if you were only doing part of the procedure (reading and interpreting vs. performing the test) and someone else was billing for the other part. If one doctor is performing both parts no modifier is needed as the professional and technical are paid in a lump sum. 2009-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102009/585388null XML Medicare Q & A: If I see a patient and afterward spend more time with the family, doing counseling/conference regarding the patient, can I bill Medicare for the office visit and the family conference? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-see-a-patient-and-afterward-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/585386?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 You can bill Medicare for an office visit and also for a conference with the patient's family. Medicare requires that the patient be present when you are meeting with the family. You can bill for the time spent with the family as prolonged service, as long as it was medically necessary. 2009-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102009/585386null XML Medicare Q & A: For a patient admitted to ICU from the ER, how should we bill for the related early morning phone call from ER, handling the admit later in the morning at the hospital, and an afternoon visit with the patient? http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-For-a-patient-admitted-to-ICU-fro/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/585387?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 In the case of a patient admitted to ICU from the ER, Medicare won't pay for a related early morning phone call with the hospital, but an initial inpatient care (admit) when you are at the hospital in person can be billed. Whether a follow-up visit that same day can be billed depends on whether the patient is critical and the visit involves treating the critical condition. 2009-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102009/585387null XML Medicare Q & A: A week ago I took care of a fracture. Today I saw the same patient for diabetic follow-up. Is it correct that I can't bill for anything else on the patient until 3 months after the fracture treatment? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-A-week-ago-I-took-care-of-a-fract/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/580289?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If you bill for fracture care with a CPT code that has a 90-day global, for 90 days you cannot bill for any E&M visits related to the fracture, but you can bill for E&M visits not related to the fracture. 2009-02-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/062009/580289null XML Medicare Q & A: How can I bill for home health certification? We do a lot of them, but I thought I was not allowed to bill for them. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-How-can-I-bill-for-home-health-ce/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/580288?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare allows about $70 for the certification code G0180 and about $57 for the recertification code G0179. That won't make you rich, but at least you will be getting paid for the work you're already doing for home health certification, recertification. 2009-02-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/062009/580288null XML Medicare Q & A: I was told that putting PQRI codes on claims will cause a problem because we're only allowed to have 6 codes on a claim. Should we be sending multiple claims for the same encounter in order to report PQRI and get the 2% bonus? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-was-told-that-putting-PQRI-code/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/580290?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If you're filing electronically, you can put 15 lines of (CPT or HCPCS) codes on an electronic claim. If your claims clearinghouse limits you to 6 codes you may want to look at changing clearinghouses. 2009-02-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/062009/580290null XML Medicare Q & A: If I see a patient on rounds in the morning and that afternoon the patient expires what would be the best code to use? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-see-a-patient-on-rounds-in-t/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/575104?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If physicians are doing a pronouncement or hospital discharge paperwork on a day when they actually had a face-to-face visit with the patient, they should bill for a hospital discharge with code 99238 or 99239. 2009-01-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/032009/575104null XML Medicare Q & A: What is the penalty for filing claims older than a year? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-What-is-the-penalty-for-filing-cl/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/575102?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare assigns a 10% penalty to claims processed more than 12 months from the date of service. Medicare allows physicians to file the entire current calendar year, the previous full calendar year, and 3 months prior to that 2009-01-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/032009/575102null XML Medicare Q & A: I have heard that Medicare is going to pay doctors who use electronic medical records higher reimbursements than those who don't. How does Medicare know whether I have electronic medical records? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-have-heard-that-Medicare-is-goi/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/575101?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare offers a 2% bonus to physicians in 2009 for electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), with less in 2010 and 2011. Starting in 2012, physicians who are not e-prescribing will receive a lower Medicare allowed amount. 2009-01-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/032009/575101null XML Medicare Q & A: I was told in a Medicare seminar that we can't use the Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) for everyone. Is that correct? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-I-was-told-in-a-Medicare-seminar-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/575103?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Physicians should only have Medicare patients sign the ABN when they have reason to believe that day's service will be denied although it could be covered in other circumstances. 2009-01-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/032009/575103null XML Medicare Q & A: Are we allowed to bill for any other services on the day of a hospital admit, such as tests, or is everything within 72 hours of an admit bundled? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Are-we-allowed-to-bill-for-any-ot/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/569616?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Physician services are not bundled in the 72-hour admit rule. Physicians are allowed to bill for whatever services are provided, including diagnostic tests, except for another visit on the same day of the admit for the same reason. 2008-12-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/492008/569616null XML Medicare Q & A: With the expected Medicare reductions, we are considering reducing the number of Medicare patients we see. Are we allowed to refuse to admit new Medicare patients to our practice? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-With-the-expected-Medicare-reduct/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/569614?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 New Medicare patients can be refused, although it may be an unwise move—particularly for a family physician in a state where Medicare is among the highest payers. Seeing more Medicare patients in relation to other kinds of managed care patients can help a practice considerably. 2008-12-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/492008/569614null XML Medicare Q & A: If I pronounce a patient at a hospital or nursing home and later get the death certificate to sign, how do I bill for completing the paperwork? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-pronounce-a-patient-at-a-hos/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/569617?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If a physician pronounces a patient at a hospital or nursing home and later gets the death certificate to sign, billing a lower level visit code is allowed for completing the paperwork. 2008-12-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/492008/569617null XML Medicare Q & A: If I admit a patient into the coronary care unit (CCU) from the ER, should I bill a hospital admit or should I bill an admit CCU code 99291? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-admit-a-patient-into-the-cor/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/569615?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 When admitting a patient into the coronary care unit from the ER, there are different billing options, depending on the amount of time spent addressing the critical condition. 2008-12-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/492008/569615null XML Medicare Q & A: If I see a patient in my office and I then send that patient to the hospital for admission by a hospitalist, can I charge an office visit on the same day that the hospitalist does the admit? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-I-see-a-patient-in-my-office-a/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/562953?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 A nonhospital-based physician can see a patient in the office, send the patient to the hospital for admission by a hospitalist, and charge for an office visit on the same day. 2008-11-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/452008/562953null XML Medicare Q & A: Does Medicare pay for screening sigmoidoscopies on geriatric patients. What are the intervals? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Does-Medicare-pay-for-screening-s/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/562952?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare pays for screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy once every 48 months for beneficiaries who have attained age 50. 2008-11-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/452008/562952null XML Medicare Q & A: We see a lot of new patients coming in only for a flu or pneumonia injection, and since they are not our patients we typically have them pay cash and do not bother filing with Medicare. As participating physicians, will this get us in trouble? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-We-see-a-lot-of-new-patients-comi/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/562955?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 By treating Medicare services like flu or pneumonia injections as cash services, participating physicians could be fined, lose their Medicare participation status, and have to reimburse the patients. 2008-11-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/452008/562955null XML Medicare Q & A: What code should I use to bill Medicare for visits at which potentially new patients are just interviewing me and my staff to determine whether I will become their primary care provider? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Medicare-Q-amp-A-What-code-should-I-use-to-bill-Me/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/562954?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 An office visit by a prospective patient to "check out" a physician is not billable to Medicare. 2008-11-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/452008/562954null XML Medicare Q & A: Code 69210 (removal of impacted cerumen) must include the use of a tool. If I have my nurse do the service using a curette and then I check the patient afterwards, can I still bill for 69210? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Code-69210-removal-of-impacted-ce/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/556523?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Code 69210 is a physician service (which includes nurse practitioners and physician's assistants); it can't be done incident-to by nurses or other personnel. 2008-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412008/556523null XML Medicare Q & A: We have a lab in our office so we can run tests without having to send blood out. Are we allowed to bill Medicare patients for the draw? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-We-have-a-lab-in-our-office-so-we/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/556521?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 In-office lab work allows billing for venipunctures in addition to chemistry and tests. 2008-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412008/556521null XML Medicare Q & A: Physician's assistants do all of the consultations in a GI clinic requested by other providers. Is it true that those consults provided by mid levels can't be billed under physicians' numbers? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Physicians-assistants-do-all-of-t/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/556524?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If NPPs (non-physician practitioners) are performing consultations, those consults must be billed with the NPPs' Medicare numbers, not physicians' numbers. 2008-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412008/556524null XML Medicare Q & A: If a patient's family shows up in my office with an appointment to discuss the patient, which code do I use to bill for it? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-a-patients-family-shows-up-in-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/556522?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare requires that a patient be present in the office if you are billing Medicare. 2008-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412008/556522null XML Medicare Q & A: Is it possible for a private practice physician to send a nurse practitioner to a nursing home and bill under the NPI for the nurse practitioner, as long as scope of practice allows? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Is-it-possible-for-a-private-prac/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/556525?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Billing for nurse practitioner services at a nursing home must be under the NPP's number. Incident-to billing is only allowed by Medicare in the office, not the nursing home or hospital. 2008-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412008/556525null XML Medicare Q & A: A hospitalist spends his day off serving as a locum at a practice. Is it legal to use a doctor who has another job seeing Medicare patients as a locum at an office practice? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-A-hospitalist-spends-his-day-off-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/556526?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare doesn't care if a doctor serving as a locum at an office practice is treating Medicare patients under a different provider number in another location on days when he is not working at the practice. 2008-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/412008/556526null XML Medicare Q & A: Is it true that the practice of a participating Medicare physician is not allowed to divorce a Medicare patient? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Is-it-true-that-the-practice-of-a/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/549408?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 A Medicare patient can be divorced from a practice the same way that non-Medicare patients are divorced. 2008-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/372008/549408null XML Medicare Q & A: Should office staff be using a modifier on the medication administration code to avoid having Medicare routinely deny the charge for the nurse's injection of medications when it is billed with an office visit? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Should-office-staff-be-using-a-mo/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/549410?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 To ensure getting paid for a nurse's injection of a medication when it is billed with an office visit, be sure to list the appropriate CPT or HCPCS (J code) for the drug on the claim. 2008-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/372008/549410null XML Medicare Q & A: Is it lawful to not collect co-pay or to forgive deductibles when patients are suffering financially? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Is-it-lawful-to-not-collect-co-pa/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/549407?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 It is within the Medicare rules to forgive or waive the co-insurance and/or deductible in situations where a financial hardship exists, as long as it's not a routine practice for all Medicare patients. 2008-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/372008/549407null XML Medicare Q & A: If a Medicare patient comes in for a motor vehicle accident and while there the patient's diabetes is treated due to high blood sugar and other chronic conditions, is it billed? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-If-a-Medicare-patient-comes-in-fo/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/549411?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 If a Medicare patient is treated both for a motor vehicle accident and a separate condition such as diabetes, file separate office visits on separate claims, one to the auto insurance carrier and one to Medicare for the diabetes. 2008-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/372008/549411null XML Medicare Q & A: Isn't a physician allowed to bill Medicare under the physician's number when a nurse practitioner employed by the physician provides services at a hospital? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Isnt-a-physician-allowed-to-bill-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/549409?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare's rules are clear that a physician isn't allowed to bill incident-to in the hospital or in any place of service other than the office. 2008-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/372008/549409null XML Not all services require a referring physician's name on a Medicare claim. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/QampA-Is-referring-physicians-name-required-on-a-M/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/535097?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Not all services require a referring physician's name on a Medicare claim. 2008-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/332008/535097null XML With one exception, Medicare doesn't pay for consultations over the phone. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/QampA-Will-Medicare-pay-for-consultations-over-the/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/535094?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 With one exception, Medicare doesn't pay for consultations over the phone. 2008-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/332008/535094null XML A nurse practitioner can bill Medicare for consultations, but must do it under his or her own number within a group. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/QampA-When-can-a-nurse-practitioner-bill-Medicare-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/535098?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 A nurse practitioner can bill Medicare for consultations, but must do it under his or her own number within a group. 2008-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/332008/535098null XML Medicare bundles the local anesthetic and its administration into the procedure. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/QampA-Can-administration-of-local-anesthetic-be-bi/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/535096?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare bundles the local anesthetic and its administration into the procedure. 2008-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/332008/535096null XML Medicare bundles all post-operative care (including complications) unless the complication requires a return trip to the operating room. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Geriatrics/QampA-Can-follow-up-visit-with-hospitlized-patient/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/535095?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare bundles all post-operative care (including complications) unless the complication requires a return trip to the operating room. 2008-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/332008/535095null XML Inconvenience codes can't be used for visits within "office hours." http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/QampA-Can-inconvenience-codes-be-used-with-extende/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/529993?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Inconvenience codes can't be used for visits within "office hours." 2008-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/292008/529993null XML Time limit for filing a claim varies; can be as few as 15 months or as many as 27 months. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/QampA-Help-me-understand-time-limits-for-filing-a-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/529992?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Time limit for filing a claim varies; can be as few as 15 months or as many as 27 months. 2008-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/292008/529992null XML The code for multiple lesions includes the first one that is treated. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/QampA-How-is-the-number-of-lesions-treated-handled/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/529995?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 The code for multiple lesions includes the first one that is treated. 2008-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/292008/529995null XML Any related services on the same day as admission are bundled into the payment for H&P. http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/QampA-Can-I-bill-for-prolonged-in-office-care-that/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/529994?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Any related services on the same day as admission are bundled into the payment for H&P. 2008-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/292008/529994null XML Using certified coders http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Using-certified-coders/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/524116?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Are physicians required to hire certified coders? 2008-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/252008/524116null XML Nurse practitioner billing http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Nurse-practitioner-billing/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/524118?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Can a nurse practitioner bill under a physician's number? 2008-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/252008/524118null XML Out-of-office protimes monitoring http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Out-of-office-protimes-monitoring/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/524117?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Can out-of-office protimes monitoring be billed? 2008-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/252008/524117null XML Pre-op history and physical http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Pre-op-history-and-physical/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/524119?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Can pre-op history and physical be billed? 2008-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/252008/524119null XML Billing for in-hospital nurse practitioner services http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Billing-for-in-hospital-nurse-practitioner-service/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/516884?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. Can a physician bill for a hospital's nurse practitioner who rounds with his group? 2008-05-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/202008/516884null XML Medicare Q & A: Using modifier -58 http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Using-modifier--58/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/516882?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. Can you use a modifier "-58" when a patient comes in for postoperative follow-up, and you apply a new cast? 2008-05-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/202008/516882null XML Medicare Q & A: Can nursing home discharge be billed from office http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Billing-for-nursing-home-discharge/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/516881?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. If, while in my office, I discharge a patient from a nursing home or skilled nursing facility, can I bill Medicare or the patient for the discharge? 2008-05-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/202008/516881null XML Medicare Q & A: When does Medicare pay for related phone calls in home health setting http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Getting-paid-for-phone-calls-in-home-health-settin/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/516883?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. A previous article stated there was not a way to obtain reimbursement for phone consultation. Do recent changes in Medicare law allow for reimbursement for coordination of care using codes 99339-99340? 2008-05-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/202008/516883null XML Medicare Q & A: Can emergency department physicians request consults http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-Q-amp-A-Can-emergency-department-physicia/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/510628?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. I was in a seminar at a convention recently and was told that emergency department (ED) physicians can request a consult. This is not what a rep from Medicare told me at the same convention. The Medicare rep said that ED physicians cannot request a consult since the patient would not be following up with them. Who is correct? I practice in Alabama. 2008-04-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/162008/510628null XML Medicare Q & A: What constitutes an "established" patient http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-Q-amp-A-What-constitutes-an-established-p/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/510625?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. If a Medicare patient was seen in the hospital by the physician and came to the clinic for follow up but has never been to the clinic before, would this be a new or established visit? We do not have a chart on the patient in the office. 2008-04-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/162008/510625null XML Medicare Q & A: When covering another's patients, is this a new or established visit? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-Q-amp-A-When-covering-anothers-patients-i/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/510626?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. I am a family physician. Another physician recently joined the practice. She is self-employed. Her earnings are based on production minus overhead and will be for the first year. We are not a legal entity at this time; that is, we are not a partnership or a corporation. When she sees one of my established Medicare patients in my absence, does she charge for a new patient visit or an established visit? 2008-04-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/162008/510626null XML Medicare Q & A: When are second opinions billable for physicians in the same medical group? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-Q-amp-A-When-are-second-opinions-billable/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/510627?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. A physician in our group was following a patient in the hospital setting. She requested a second opinion from another physician in our group, who is in the same specialty, How do we bill for this? We are all internal medicine specialists. Can we bill for the services of both specialists on the same day? Should we bill a daily care visit for the first physician and a consultation for the second? 2008-04-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/162008/510627null XML Medicare Q&A: E/M visits same day as admit http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-QampA-EM-visits-same-day-as-admit/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/499698?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 E/M visits now allowed the same day as an admit; critical care evaluation may be ok 2008-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102008/499698null XML Medicare Q&A: When a modifer isn't needed for previous day consult http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-QampA-When-a-modifer-isnt-needed-for-prev/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/499699?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 When a modifer isn't needed for previous day consult 2008-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102008/499699null XML Medicare Q&A: Billing for a nurse visit, venipuncture http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-QampA-Billing-for-a-nurse-visit-venipunct/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/499701?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Billing for a nurse visit, venipuncture 2008-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102008/499701null XML Medicare Q&A: Billing for ordering, interpreting Xrays in ER http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-QampA-Billing-for-ordering-interpreting-X/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/499700?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Billing for ordering, interpreting Xrays in ER 2008-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102008/499700null XML Medicare Q&A: Limiting the number of new Medicare patients http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/Medicare-QampA-Limiting-the-number-of-new-Medicare/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/499702?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Limiting the number of new Medicare patients you accept 2008-03-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102008/499702null XML MEDICARE MATTERS: Never reduce the fee when performing multiple procedures http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/MEDICARE-MATTERS-Never-reduce-the-fee-when-perform/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/489928?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Are we required to reduce our fee on the second or third procedure? 2008-02-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/062008/489928null XML What is the Medicare deductible for 2008? http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/What-is-the-Medicare-deductible-for-2008/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/483721?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Beware that the Medicare deductible applies to allowed amount only, not the practice fee 2008-01-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/022008/483721null XML MEDICARE MATTERS http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/MEDICARE-MATTERS/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/477157?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Learn the appropriate way to bill for critical care 2007-12-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/492007/477157null XML MEDICARE MATTERS http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/GERIATRICS/MEDICARE-MATTERS/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/469692?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Medicare allows for treatment of out-of-state patients; Medicaid's policy not so lenient 2007-11-15T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/442007/469692null XML MEDICARE MATTERS http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/MEDICARE-MATTERS/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/463030?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Shared visit denotes service billed under a physician's number. 2007-10-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/402007/463030null XML MEDICARE MATTERS: Home visits by anyone other than provider cannot be reimbursed http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/MEDICARE-MATTERS-Home-visits-by-anyone-other-than-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/454942?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Home visits by anyone other than provider cannot be reimbursed 2007-09-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/362007/454942null XML MEDICARE MATTERS: Follow-up postoperative care billing http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/MEDICARE-MATTERS-Follow-up-postoperative-care-bill/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/445955?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Follow up postoperative care billing 2007-08-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/312007/445955null XML Medicare Matters http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/Medicare-Matters/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/439152?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Multiple diagnosis codes do not necessarily justify higher billing level 2007-07-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/272007/439152null XML MEDICARE MATTERS http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/MEDICARE-MATTERS/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/431939?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Exercise caution when applying incident-to billing in practice 2007-06-15T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/232007/431939null XML Medicare Matters: Not necessarily time sensitive http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/Medicare-Matters-Not-necessarily-time-sensitive/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/425749?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 --> 2007-05-01T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/192007/425749null XML MEDICARE MATTERS: Bill for new Medicare patient if it is a new patient sick visit http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/MEDICARE-MATTERS-Bill-for-new-Medicare-patient-if-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/415235?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 --> 2007-04-01T04:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/132007/415235null XML MEDICARE MATTERS: ERISA not applicable to Medicare claims http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/MEDICARE-MATTERS-ERISA-not-applicable-to-Medicare-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/410211?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. I attended a seminar on appealing claims and fighting refund requests using the ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) law. Does ERISA apply to Medicare? 2007-03-01T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/102007/410211null XML Billing for follow-up post-operative services need not be complicated http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/Billing-for-follow-up-post-operative-services-need/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/403243?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. My patient received surgical service in another office. The patient then visited me, his primary care physician, for follow-up. I was told to bill a 24 modifier for the visits. Is that correct? 2007-02-01T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/062007/403243null XML Outdated charts can lead to billing complications, jeopardized patient care http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Medicare+matters/Outdated-charts-can-lead-to-billing-complications-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/399791?contextCategoryId=137&ref=25 Q. How would you approach a fellow physician who does not keep his charts current? A colleague in my practice has charts scattered throughout his office. The charts date back to June 2006. I'm not sure why they are so behind, but he will not do anything to make them current. What would you recommend? 2007-01-01T05:00:00Z http://geriatrics.modernmedicine.com/geriatrics/data/articlestandard/geriatrics/042007/399791null XML