hospital may bill for Part B inpatient services if the hospital determines under Medicare's utilization review requirements that a beneficiary should have received hospital outpatient rather than hospital inpatient services, and the hospital already discharged the beneficiary from the hospital (commonly referred to as hospital self-audit). If the hospital already submitted a claim to Medicare for payment under Part A, the hospital must cancel its Part A claim prior to submitting
Full Answer
Are You Involved in Medicare Part B billing?
In other words, if you're involved in Medicare Part B billing, you'll have to know the specific rules and regulations that you, as the biller or coder, must follow to make sure your office gets paid by Medicare. It's important to remember that even though Part B is somewhat like a commercial insurance plan, it's still not a 100% coverage plan.
When does CMS allow payment for Part B outpatient care?
Effective October 1, CMS will allow payment of certain Part B services when an inpatient admission is found to be not reasonable and necessary if the delivered services would have been reasonable and necessary had the beneficiary been treated as an outpatient.
How do I obtain billing information as a part B provider?
As a Part B provider (i.e. physicians and suppliers), you should: Obtain billing information at the time the service is rendered. It is recommended that you use the CMS Questionnaire (available in the Downloads section below), or a questionnaire that asks similar types of questions; and
Can I bill Medicare Part B for a hospital inpatient stay?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released temporary instructions for billing Medicare Part B services provided during a hospital inpatient stay that were denied payment.
How do I bill Medicare Part B for inpatient claims?
Hospitals must bill Part B inpatient services on a 12x Type of Bill. This Part B inpatient claim is subject to the statutory time limit for filing Part B claims described in the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 1, Section 70.
Is Medicare Part B hospitalized?
Part B pays for many of the outpatient services you get in hospitals, like X-rays and emergency department visits. Part B also pays for partial hospitalization services in hospital outpatient departments and community mental health centers under the outpatient prospective payment system.
What criteria must be met to bill a Medicare patient as an inpatient?
An inpatient admission is generally appropriate for payment under Medicare Part A when you're expected to need 2 or more midnights of medically necessary hospital care, but your doctor must order this admission and the hospital must formally admit you for you to become an inpatient.
How do I bill Medicare Part B?
Talk to someone about your premium bill For specific Medicare billing questions: Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY: 1-877-486-2048. For questions about your Part A or Part B coverage: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY: 1-800-325-0778.
Is Medicare Part B fee for service?
Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health plan that has two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). After you pay a deductible, Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount, and you pay your share (coinsurance and deductibles).
What services does Medicare Part B not cover?
But there are still some services that Part B does not pay for. If you're enrolled in the original Medicare program, these gaps in coverage include: Routine services for vision, hearing and dental care — for example, checkups, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental extractions and dentures.
What are the admission criteria of inpatient service?
Generally a person is considered to be in inpatient status if officially admitted as an inpatient with the expectation that he or she will remain at least overnight. The severity of the patient's illness and the intensity of services to be provided should justify the need for an acute level of care.
What is the 2 midnight rule?
The Two-Midnight rule, adopted in October 2013 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, states that more highly reimbursed inpatient payment is appropriate if care is expected to last at least two midnights; otherwise, observation stays should be used.
What is the difference between being admitted and observation?
Inpatient status is what we typically think of as someone being admitted to the hospital. Observation status is a type of outpatient status. However, someone in hospital observation status can spend several days and nights inside the hospital, even though they're technically an outpatient.
How do I bill for Medicare services?
Contact your doctor or supplier, and ask them to file a claim. If they don't file a claim, call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY: 1-877-486-2048. Ask for the exact time limit for filing a Medicare claim for the service or supply you got.
How does Medicare Part B reimbursement work?
The Medicare Part B Reimbursement program reimburses the cost of eligible retirees' Medicare Part B premiums using funds from the retiree's Sick Leave Bank. The Medicare Part B reimbursement payments are not taxable to the retiree.
Who processes Medicare Part B claims?
MACs are multi-state, regional contractors responsible for administering both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B claims. MACs perform many activities including: Process Medicare FFS claims.
How long does it take for Medicare to pay Part B?
Like other commercial insurances, you should send Medicare Part B claims directly to Medicare for payment, with an expected turnaround of about 30 days. Unlike typical commercial insurance, Medicare can pay either the provider or the patient, depending on the assignment.
What is Medicare Part B for eyeglasses?
Other preventative services are also covered under Medicare Part B: Preventive shots, including the flu shot during flu season, and three Hepatitis B shots, if you're considered at risk.
What is CMS in Medicare?
CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, governs all parts of Medicare, including Part B. CMS holds a great amount of influence over the way insurance companies pay doctors, as well as the services that doctors provide. This is, in large part, because of Medicare Part B restrictions. Every type of healthcare service eligible ...
Why is Medicare important?
Because Medicare is a service provided for the elderly, disabled, and retired, the patients who are covered by Medicare will usually have limited financial resources . Because of this, it's very important to make sure that your office bills and codes within all Part B guidelines and provides only approved Part B services.
What is medically necessary?
Medically Necessary Services: These include services and supplies needed to treat your medical condition. To be covered, the service also has to be within the standards of medical practice. This means that holistic or naturopathic treatments wouldn't be covered.
What are the services that are considered medically necessary?
These services include: Home health services, only when they are medically necessary, and of limited duration. Chiropractic services, only if it is to correct spinal subluxation. Ambulance services, only if a different type of transportation would endanger the patient's health.
What is Part C?
Part C combines Parts A and B (and sometimes D), and is managed by private insurance companies as approved by Medicare. Part D is a prescription drug coverage program which is also managed by private insurance companies as approved by Medicare. Each of these parts provides a different type of coverage, with different limitations ...
General Information
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
CMS National Coverage Policy
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1833 (e) states that no payment shall be made to any provider of services or other person under this part unless there has been furnished such information as may be necessary in order to determine the amounts due such provider or other person under this part for the period with respect to which the amounts are being paid or for any prior period..
Article Guidance
Medicare rules and regulations regarding acute care inpatient, observation and treatment room services are outlined in the Medicare Internet-Only Manuals (IOMs).
ICD-10-CM Codes that Support Medical Necessity
It is the provider’s responsibility to select codes carried out to the highest level of specificity and selected from the ICD-10-CM code book appropriate to the year in which the service is rendered for the claim (s) submitted.
Bill Type Codes
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.
Revenue Codes
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.
When do hospitals report Medicare beneficiaries?
If the beneficiary is a dependent under his/her spouse's group health insurance and the spouse retired prior to the beneficiary's Medicare Part A entitlement date, hospitals report the beneficiary's Medicare entitlement date as his/her retirement date.
What is secondary payer?
Medicare is the Secondary Payer when Beneficiaries are: 1 Treated for a work-related injury or illness. Medicare may pay conditionally for services received for a work-related illness or injury in cases where payment from the state workers’ compensation (WC) insurance is not expected within 120 days. This conditional payment is subject to recovery by Medicare after a WC settlement has been reached. If WC denies a claim or a portion of a claim, the claim can be filed with Medicare for consideration of payment. 2 Treated for an illness or injury caused by an accident, and liability and/or no-fault insurance will cover the medical expenses as the primary payer. 3 Covered under their own employer’s or a spouse’s employer’s group health plan (GHP). 4 Disabled with coverage under a large group health plan (LGHP). 5 Afflicted with permanent kidney failure (End-Stage Renal Disease) and are within the 30-month coordination period. See ESRD link in the Related Links section below for more information. Note: For more information on when Medicare is the Secondary Payer, click the Medicare Secondary Payer link in the Related Links section below.
Does Medicare pay for black lung?
Federal Black Lung Benefits - Medicare does not pay for services covered under the Federal Black Lung Program. However, if a Medicare-eligible patient has an illness or injury not related to black lung, the patient may submit a claim to Medicare. For further information, contact the Federal Black Lung Program at 1-800-638-7072.
Does Medicare pay for the same services as the VA?
Veteran’s Administration (VA) Benefits - Medicare does not pay for the same services covered by VA benefits.
Is Medicare a primary or secondary payer?
Providers must determine if Medicare is the primary or secondary payer; therefore, the beneficiary must be queried about other possible coverage that may be primary to Medicare. Failure to maintain a system of identifying other payers is viewed as a violation of the provider agreement with Medicare.
When will CMS allow Part B payments?
Effective October 1, CMS will allow payment of certain Part B services when an inpatient admission is found to be not reasonable and necessary if the delivered services would have been reasonable and necessary had the beneficiary been treated as an outpatient.
What is the M1 code for a hospital?
To bill for the services, the hospital must first submit a Part A claim that includes the Occurrence Span Code “M1” and the inpatient admission Dates of Service, which indicates the provider is liable for the cost of Part A services.
Can a hospital bill for a limited set of Part B?
Further, hospitals may only bill for a “limited set” of Part B inpatient services for beneficiaries who are treated as hospital inpatient and are either not entitled to Part A, or are entitled to Part A but have exhausted their Part A benefits.
Does CMS cover outpatients?
However, CMS will not cover hospital services during an inpatient stay that specifically require an outpatient status such as outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and observations services that are provided to hospital outpatients and not inpatients. Hospitals must maintain documentation to support the Part B services billed during ...
What can Medicare bill for in a SNF?
For Medicare beneficiaries that are in a SNF but not in a Part A covered stay, a supplier can bill Medicare Part B for the following items and services: Prosthetics, orthotics and related supplies. Urinary incontinence supplies. Ostomy supplies. Surgical dressings.
What is SNF in Social Security?
SNF. Section 1861 (e) (1) of the Social Security Act, referenced above, defines hospitals and Section 1819 (a) (1), also referenced above, defines SNFs (in relevant part) as “an institution (or a distinct part of an institution) which is primarily engaged in providing to residents—. skilled nursing care and related services for residents who ...
Can DME be billed to Medicare?
DME suppliers are only permitted to bill Medicare for DME dispensed to patients at locations that qualify as the patient’s “home.”. This restriction comes from the definition of “durable medical equipment” outlined in the Social Security Act:
Is DME payable under Medicare Part B?
Subject to certain exceptions, based on this statutory language a SNF cannot qualify as a patient’s “home” and, therefore, DME dispensed to beneficiaries in a SNF is not payable under Medicare Part B. Exceptions to General Prohibition. Medicare does allow separate billing for certain Part B services rendered to Medicare beneficiaries in ...
Is a brick and mortar hospital a SNF?
It is common for a brick and mortar facility to have both custodial care and SNF patients . Such a facility is certified as a SNF. Inside the facility, a Medicare patient may use up his Part A eligibility as a SNF patient…but is not strong enough to return home.
Does Medicare pay for custodial care?
While in the SNF, the patient will receive rehab services designed to strengthen the patient so that he can return home. Medicare does not pay for custodial care. Conversely, Medicare does pay for skilled nursing care…up to a certain number of days.
Can SNF bill for DME?
A SNF may not bill for DME furnished to its Part A inpatients as necessary DME must be supplied to the beneficiary as part of SNF services. A SNF may not bill for DME furnished to its Part B inpatients or outpatients. However, a SNF may qualify as a supplier and enroll with the National Supplier Clearinghouse.
Self-audit Claims
Submit a Part A provider liable claim with the below information on the UB-04 claim form.
Inpatient Part B Hospital Services
Includes services that are not strictly provided in an outpatient setting. Medicare pays for certain non-physician medical services.
Outpatient Services Provided Prior to Admission
Includes outpatient diagnostic services furnished to patients three days prior and up to the date of admission.
What happens if you pay less than the amount on your Medicare summary notice?
If you paid less than the amount listed on your “Medicare Summary Notice”, the hospital or community mental health center may bill you for the difference if you don’t have another insurer who’s responsible for paying your deductible and copayments.
What rights do you have if you have Medicare?
If you have Medicare, you have certain guaranteed rights to help protect you. One of these is the right to appeal. You may want to appeal in any of these situations:
What to call if mental health isn't working?
If you think the hospital or community mental health center isn’t giving you good quality care, call the Quality Improvement Organization in your state. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get the phone number. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
What is the date of service for a physician certification?
The date of service for the Certification is the date the physician completes and signs the plan of care. The date of the Recertification is the date the physician completes the review.
What do providers need to determine regarding the date of service?
Providers need to determine the Medicare rules and regulations concerning the date of service and submit claims appropriately . Be sure your billing and coding staffs are aware of this information.
What is the date of service for clinical laboratory services?
Generally, the date of service for clinical laboratory services is the date the specimen was collected. If the specimen is collected over a period that spans two calendar dates, the date of service is the date the collection ended. There are three exceptions to the general date of service rule for clinical laboratory tests:
What is a CPO in Medicare?
CPO is physician supervision of a patient receiving complex and/or multidisciplinary care as part of Medicare covered services provided by a participating home health agency or Medicare approved hospice. Providers must provide physician supervision of a patient involving 30 or more minutes of the physician's time per month to report CPO services. The claim for CPO must not include any other services and is only billed after the end of the month in which CPO was provided. The date of service submitted on the claim can be the last date of the month or the date in which at least 30 minutes of time is completed.
What is a radiology PC/TC indicator?
These services will have a PC/TC indicator of “1” on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Relative Value File. The technical component is billed on the date the patient had the test performed. When billing a global service, the provider can submit the professional component with a date of service reflecting when the review and interpretation is completed or can submit the date of service as the date the technical component was performed. This will allow ease of processing for both Medicare and the supplemental payers. If the provider did not perform a global service and instead performed only one component, the date of service for the technical component would the date the patient received the service and the date of service for the professional component would be the date the review and interpretation is completed.
How long does a cardiovascular monitoring service take?
Some of these monitoring services may take place at a single point in time, others may take place over 24 or 48 hours, or over a 30-day period. The determination of the date of service is based on the description of the procedure code and the time listed. When the service includes a physician review and/or interpretation and report, the date of service is the date the physician completes that activity. If the service is a technical service, the date of service is the date the monitoring concludes based on the description of the service. For example, if the description of the procedure code includes 30 days of monitoring and a physician interpretation and report, then the date of service will be no earlier than the 30th day of monitoring and will be the date the physician completed the professional component of the service.
What is a MLN matter?
This MLN Matters Article is intended for physicians, non-physician practitioners, and others submitting claims on a CMS-1500 form or the X12 837 Professional Claim to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for reimbursement for Medicare Part B services.