Posts Tagged Medicare Contractor

image_pdfimage_print

Medicare Physician Revalidation Extended Two Years to March 2015 and a Sample Revalidation Letter

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the revalidation period for another 2 years.  This will allow for a smoother process for provider and contractors.  Revalidation notices will now be sent through March of 2015.
IMPORTANT: This does not affect those providers which have already received a revalidation notice.  If you have received a revalidation notice from your contractor, respond to the request by completing the application either through internet-based PECOS or completing the appropriate 855 application form.

The first set of revalidation notices went to providers who are billing, but are not currently in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS).  To identify these providers, contractors searched their local systems and if a Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN) for a physician was not in PECOS, a revalidation request for that physician was sent.  CMS asks all providers who receive a request for revalidation to respond to that request.

For providers NOT in PECOS – the revalidation letter will be sent to the special payments or primary practice address because CMS doesn’t have a correspondence address.  For providers in PECOS – the revalidation letter will be sent to the special payments and correspondence addresses simultaneously; if these are the same it will also be mailed to the primary practice address.  If you believe you are not in PECOS and have not yet received a revalidation letter, contact your Medicare contractor.  Contact information may be found here.

(more…)

Posted in: Collections, Billing & Coding, Compliance, Medicare & Reimbursement

Leave a Comment (6) →

CMS Releases Pricing and Codes for 2011 – 2012 Flu Vaccine Given After September 1, 2011

NOTE: The 2012 – 2013 flu shot codes can be found here.

———————————–

Today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the new pricing for flu shots for Medicare patients for the 2011-2012 flu season. The Medicare Part B payment allowance limits for seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are 95% of the Average Wholesale Price (AWP) as reflected in the published compendia except where the vaccine is furnished in a hospital outpatient department.  When the vaccine is furnished in the hospital outpatient department, payment for the vaccine is based on reasonable cost.

What do Medicare patients have to pay for the flu shot?

Annual Part B deductible and coinsurance amounts do not apply for the influenza virus and the pneumococcal vaccinations.  All physicians, non-physician practitioners, and suppliers who administer these vaccinations must take assignment on the claim for the vaccine. Do not collect from Medicare patients for the vaccine or the administration of a flu shot.

What will Medicare pay for the flu shot?

The payment allowances below reflect the annually updated payment allowance for the listed CPT codes and Q-codes when the vaccines are furnished outside the hospital outpatient department.

(more…)

Posted in: Day-to-Day Operations, Medicare & Reimbursement

Leave a Comment (45) →