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Monthly Archives: February 2019

Medicare DME Supplier Enrollment Now Easiest If Done Online!

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The Internet-based PECOS (Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System) can be used in lieu of the Medicare enrollment application (i.e., paper CMS-855) to:

  • Submit an initial Medicare enrollment application
  • View or change your enrollment information
  • Track your enrollment application through the web submission process
  • Add or change a reassignment of benefits
  • Submit changes to existing Medicare enrollment information
  • Reactivate an existing enrollment record
  • Withdraw from the Medicare Program
  • Submit a Change of Ownership (CHOW) of the Medicare-enrolled provider

Advantages of Internet-based PECOS

  • Faster than paper-based enrollment (45 day processing time in most cases, vs. 60 days for paper)
  • Easy to check and update your information for accuracy
  • Less staff time and administrative costs to complete and submit enrollment to Medicare

Using Internet-based PECOS Is Easy!

Before initiating an enrollment action using Internet-based PECOS, you should review the applicable “Basics of Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS)” Fact Sheet(s) and “Enrolllment Example” below.

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/Downloads/Instructionsforviewingpractitionerstatus.pdf

 

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/Downloads/PECOSWebScreenExample.pdf

 

Physicians and non-physician practitioners may access Internet-based PECOS by using the User IDs and passwords that they established when they applied on-line to the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) for their National Provider Identifiers (NPIs).   If you have forgotten your User IDs or passwords, or otherwise need assistance in this regard, contact the NPI Enumerator at 1-800-465-3203 or customerservice@npienumerator.com.

  1. Log onto Internet-based PECOS with your NPPES User ID and password.
    https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov/pecos/login.do#headingLv1
  2. Complete, review, and submit an electronic enrollment application. Internet-based PECOS will walk you through the application process and supply you with a 2-page Certification Statement for each enrollment application you submit.
  3. Mail the original signed Certification Statement from Internet-based PECOS and supporting documents to the Medicare contractor within 15 days of your electronic submission.

 

Correct Coding – RT and LT Modifier

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Until now, suppliers billing for bilateral DME devices including therapeutic shoes for patients with diabetes, diabetic inserts, custom AFOs or custom foot orthoses, have been able to submit electronic claims by indicating the total quantity and using the RTLT modifier on a single line OR by using RT on one line and LT on another, noting half the quantity on each.

Beginning March 1, 2019, such claims MUST be submitted using two separate lines, using the RT and LT modifier on each. Units of service (UOS) should be “1″ on each line for shoes and for AFOs; it should be up to “3″ on each line, for prefabricated or custom diabetic inserts. Claim lines for HCPCS codes requiring use of the RT and LT modifiers, billed without the RT and / or LT modifier or with RTLT on a single claim line, will be rejected as incorrect coding.

Suppliers who have been submitting codes for bilateral devices using one line are advised to start billing on two separate lines NOW and not wait until March 1.

As always, each claim line should also include the modifier KX to indicate that all required compliance documentation is on file. When billing L3000 for custom foot orthotic devices, the GY modifier should be used to indicate that the item is statutorily excluded and cause the claim to deny.

For a link to the Medicare carrier website and Policy Articles, see:

https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jadme/policies/dmd-articles/2018/correct-coding-rt-and-lt-modifier-usage-change

Helpful Links Using the Medicare DME Portals

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Each of the DME MACs have created webpages that offer podiatrists and other DME suppliers access to useful Medicare information.  The “Portals” requires individual registration and uses a personal log-in.  They offer different levels of accessibility and also protects patient personal health information.  Presently Jurisdictions A and D are serviced by Noridian; Jurisdictions B and C are serviced by CGS.

Podiatrists are encouraged to register for the Portals corresponding to the region(s) where their patients reside and to also create access for appropriate staff members.  Some of the things that are certain to prove useful include: Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) lookup,  info about the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) for checking status of claims, and redetermination.

 

Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP)

Jurisdiction A, Jurisdiction D.

https://www.noridianmedicareportal.com/web/nmp/home

CGS Medicare Portal (myCGS)

Jurisdiction B, Jurisdiction C. 

https://www.cgsmedicare.com/jc/mycgs/pdf/mycgs_registrationguide.pdf

 

Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Look Up Tool

A new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) replaced the SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) on the new Medicare cards for Medicare transactions like billing, eligibility status, and claim status.

In the past, the HICN was based on a person’s social security number.  Every person with Medicare has been assigned an MBI and has been mailed a new Medicare card.  The MBI is confidential like the SSN and should be protected as Personally Identifiable Information.  The biggest reason for the new MBI is to fight medical identity theft for people with Medicare.

The MBI provides podiatrists and other DME suppliers information need to enter using the telephone key pad when using the IVR and is based only on the information you enter. 

Use this tool to convert the patient’s MBI to the corresponding numbers on your telephone key pad. 

https://cgsmedicare.com/medicare_dynamic/jb/mbiconverter.aspThe Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Lookup Tool is an option for providers/suppliers if they are not able to obtain the MBI from the patient.

Noridian DME: Jurisdiction A, D

https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jadme%20/topics/nmp/end-user-manual/mbi-lookup-tool

CGS: Jurisdiction B, C

https://cgsmedicare.com/parta/pubs/news/2018/05/cope7584.html

 

Medicare Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires providers to utilize the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System to check the status of claims.  The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system requires you to enter your patient’s name and Medicare number during the beneficiary validation process.   The IVR will validate the beneficiary information.

 

Noridian: Jurisdictions A, D

https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jeb/contact/ivr

CGS: Jurisdictions B, C

To use the IVR, please call: 877.299.7900

 

Submitting Redeterminations Through the Medicare Portal

When AFO claims are denied and given reason code “M3”, it’s because of “Same or similar”, meaning that Medicare is only covering one device, prefabricated or custom, per side, every five years.  Claims to treat a different diagnosis with a different device, can generally be covered, even after initial denial, if appealed as a “Redetermination”.  Redetermination can be done either by faxing in a form and supporting documentation or via the Portal.  Its recommended that suppliers use the Portal, and not fax, as it provides assurance that all forms are received.  

 

Noridian: Jurisdictions A, D

https://www.noridianmedicareportal.com/

CGS: Jurisdictions B, C

https://cgsmedicare.com/articles/cope25316.html

 

Documentation Identification Tool

CGS has created the Documentation Identification Tool to assist you in submitting the different types of documentation needed to support your claim. Simply select the type of documentation you are submitting from our list of items below. Then print the pre-designed divider sheet and place it in front of the document(s) that will be submitted for review.

The documentation identification tool standardizes the process so you no longer need to create your own divider sheets for your documentation.

https://www.cgsmedicare.com/jc/help/documentation_identification_tool.html

 

Jurisdiction A is serviced by Noridian Healthcare Solutions   and includes Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Jurisdiction B is serviced by CGS   and includes Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Jurisdiction C is serviced by CGS   and includes Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.

Jurisdiction D is serviced by Noridian Healthcare Solutions   and includes Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming,