Medicare Blog

how is the sa used in billing medicare

by Savanah Labadie Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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(Modifier SA is used when the PA, APN, or CRNFA is assisting with any other procedure that DOES NOT include surgery.) –80 Modifier: PA’s, APN’s, and CRNFA’s who are billing with their own National Provider Identifier (NPI) will not need to bill a modifier, unless they are billing as an Assistant Surgeon, then they must use the –80 modifier.

Full Answer

What is the SA modifier in medical billing?

SA Modifier: A supervising physician should use this modifier when billing on behalf of a PA, ANP, of CRNFA for non-surgical services. (Modifier SA is used when the PA, ANP, or CRNFA is assisting with any other procedure that DOES NOT include surgery.) Modifier 80, 81, 82: Denote assistant surgeons.

What does Sa Mean on a Blue Cross Blue Shield Bill?

For example, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Texas calls for modifier SA when a supervising physician bills on behalf of a PA, adult nurse practitioner (ANP), or certified registered nurse first assistant (CRNFA) for non-surgical services (which could include E/M services). Contact your payer for specifics.

How does Medicare billing work with a superbill?

When billing for traditional Medicare (Parts A and B), billers will follow the same protocol as for private, third-party payers, and input patient information, NPI numbers, procedure codes, diagnosis codes, price, and Place of Service codes. We can get almost all of this information from the superbill, which comes from the medical coder.

Does your Assistant Surgeon service meet your billing criteria?

If you take things one step at a time, you can figure out whether or not an assistant surgeon service meets the criteria to be billed for a particular service, and if so how that claim should look. It is a complex task, but breaking it down makes it easier to understand and in turn leads to correct, successful billing.

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How do you use the SA modifier?

Use modifier SA for incident-to services that are billed under the supervising physician's NPI number. The modifier tells the insurer that the NP rather than the physician provided the service and the physician supervised the NP.

Does Medicare use SA modifier?

Medicare does not accept modifier SA, and other payers may specify unique requirements.

What is the modifier SA?

SA = use when billing on behalf of a PA, ANP, or CRNFA for non-surgical services. (Modifier SA is used when the PA, ANP, or CRNFA is assisting with any other procedure that does not include surgery.)

Is SA a payment modifier?

Modifier SA, AS & 80 – payment rate for physician assistant and advanced nurse practitioner modifier. Modifier AS Physician Assistant (PA), Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) assistant at surgery services.

Does SA modifier reduce payment?

The SA modifier is a payable modifier and should be used by the supervising physician on behalf of the Advanced Practice Health Care Providers. direct on site supervision. A 15% reduction will be applied for services billed with the SA modifier.

Does United Healthcare require SA modifier?

As per the UHC Services Incident-to a Supervising Health Care Provider Policy, Professional, providers that meet the “Incident-to” criteria should be reported under the supervising physician's NPI number and the SA modifier should be appended.

Does Aetna use SA modifier?

Proper mid-level practitioner billing requirements Submit claims with the supervising physician's name as the servicing provider. You should also use the SA modifier.

How do you bill for nurse practitioner services basics?

The services must be billed under the NP's provider number, unless the entity doing the billing is following Medicare's rules on "shared visits." If those rules are followed, the services may be billed under the physician's provider number.

What modifier goes with 90837?

If you provided 60 minutes of telemedicine, you would code 90837 with modifier 95. (Note: Many clients don't have coverage for telehealth. Also, payers have previously asked providers to use the GT modifier to indicate a telehealth session, so it is a good idea to check with plans before billing).

What modifiers are not accepted by Medicare?

Medicare will automatically reject claims that have the –GX modifier applied to any covered charges. Modifier –GX can be combined with modifiers –GY and –TS (follow up service) but will be rejected if submitted with the following modifiers: EY, GA, GL, GZ, KB, QL, TQ.

Which modifiers are used for professional fee services coding?

Pro-fee coders may consider appending modifier 52 Reduced services or modifier 53 Discontinued procedure to a medical code when a provider does not complete the full procedure or service described by that code.

What is the correct order for modifiers?

The general order of sequencing modifiers is (1) pricing (2) payment (3) location. Location modifiers, in all coding situations, are coded “last”.

What modifiers are not accepted by Medicare?

Medicare will automatically reject claims that have the –GX modifier applied to any covered charges. Modifier –GX can be combined with modifiers –GY and –TS (follow up service) but will be rejected if submitted with the following modifiers: EY, GA, GL, GZ, KB, QL, TQ.

Is the GA modifier only for Medicare?

The GA HCPCS modifier indicates that there is an ABN on file. The GY HCPCS modifier indicated that an item or service is statutorily non-covered or in not a Medicare benefit.

Does Aetna use SA modifier?

Proper mid-level practitioner billing requirements Submit claims with the supervising physician's name as the servicing provider. You should also use the SA modifier.

Does Medicare accept modifier 59?

Modifier 59 is not going away and will continue to be a valid modifier, according to Medicare. However, modifier 59 should NOT be used when a more appropriate modifier, like a XE, XP, XS or XU modifier, is available.

Is Medicare a secondary payer?

Medicare is always a secondary payer to liability insurance (including self-insurance), no-fault insurance, and workers’ compensation benefits. The law precludes Medicare payment for services to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made promptly. When future medical care is claimed, or a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment releases (or has the effect of releasing) claims for future medical care, it can reasonably be expected that the monies from the settlement, judgment, award, or other payment are available to pay for future medical items and services which are otherwise covered and reimbursable by Medicare.

Can you use Medicare funds from a judgment?

Where a patient who is a Medicare beneficiary states that he/she is required to use funds from the settlement, judgment, award, or other payment to pay for the items or services related to what was claimed or which the settlement, judgment, award, or other payment, it is appropriate for you to document your records with that information and accept payment directly from the patient for such services.

What information does Medicare use for billing?

When billing for traditional Medicare (Parts A and B), billers will follow the same protocol as for private, third-party payers, and input patient information, NPI numbers, procedure codes, diagnosis codes, price, and Place of Service codes. We can get almost all of this information from the superbill, which comes from the medical coder.

What is a medical biller?

In general, the medical biller creates claims like they would for Part A or B of Medicare or for a private, third-party payer. The claim must contain the proper information about the place of service, the NPI, the procedures performed and the diagnoses listed. The claim must also, of course, list the price of the procedures.

What is 3.06 Medicare?

3.06: Medicare, Medicaid and Billing. Like billing to a private third-party payer, billers must send claims to Medicare and Medicaid. These claims are very similar to the claims you’d send to a private third-party payer, with a few notable exceptions.

What form do you need to bill Medicare?

If a biller has to use manual forms to bill Medicare, a few complications can arise. For instance, billing for Part A requires a UB-04 form (which is also known as a CMS-1450). Part B, on the other hand, requires a CMS-1500. For the most part, however, billers will enter the proper information into a software program and then use ...

How long does it take for Medicare to process a claim?

The MAC evaluates (or adjudicates) each claim sent to Medicare, and processes the claim. This process usually takes around 30 days .

Is it harder to bill for medicaid or Medicare?

Billing for Medicaid. Creating claims for Medicaid can be even more difficult than creating claims for Medicare. Because Medicaid varies state-by-state, so do its regulations and billing requirements. As such, the claim forms and formats the biller must use will change by state. It’s up to the biller to check with their state’s Medicaid program ...

Can you bill Medicare for a patient with Part C?

Because Part C is actually a private insurance plan paid for, in part, by the federal government, billers are not allowed to bill Medicare for services delivered to a patient who has Part C coverage. Only those providers who are licensed to bill for Part D may bill Medicare for vaccines or prescription drugs provided under Part D.

What does "AS" mean in medical terms?

AS -- Non-physician provider as an assistant at surgery: This modifier applies when the assistant at surgery services are provided by a PA, APNP, or CNS.

How to identify a surgical assistant?

A physician’s surgical assistant services may be identified by adding the modifier 80 to the surgical procedure code. This modifier describes an assistant surgeon providing full assistance to the primary surgeon, and is not intended for use by non-physician providers.

What is 81 modifier?

81 -- Assistant Surgeon: This modifier is for physician’s services only. Minimal surgical assistance may be identified by adding the modifier 81 to the surgical procedure code and describes an assistant surgeon providing minimal assistance to the primary surgeon. This modifier is not intended for use by non-physician providers. Note: This modifier is used in the private insurance industry and is not commonly used in Medicare billing.

What is modifier 82?

82 -- Assistant surgeon (when a qualified resident surgeon is not available in a teaching facility): This modifier is for physician’s services only. The unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of this modifier and the service must have been performed in a teaching facility. The circumstance explaining that a resident surgeon was not available must be documented in the medical record. This modifier is not intended for use by non-physician providers.

What is 0 payment restriction?

0 = Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure unless supporting documentation is submitted to establish medical necessity.

Is an assistant surgeon reimbursable?

If the surgery took place at a teaching hospital, the operative report must also include the statement, “No qualified resident was available to assist.”. If there was a resident available, and/or one was assisting, then an assistant surgeon is not reimbursable.

Is assistant surgeon billing overwhelming?

Assistant surgeon billing can seem overwhelming, so it’s crucial to take it one step at a time. But there are several key points to remember that will make it much easier to understand.

What is Medicare modifier 52?

Modifier 52- Reduced services. Under certain circumstances, a service or procedure is partially reduced or elimininated at the physician’s direction. Medicare requires and operative report for surgical procedures and s concise statement as to how the reduced service is different from standard procedure. Claims for non surgical services reported with modifier 52 must contain a statement as to how the reduce service is different from standard service.

When is AA used?

Modifier AA -modifier used when service performed personally by an anesthesiologist.

What is a CPT modifier?

CPT Modifiers are an important part of the managed care system or medical billing. A service or procedure that has both a professional and technical component. (26 or TC) A service or procedure that was performed more than once on the same day by the same physician or by a different physician. (76 or 77)

What is a modifier AD?

Modifier AD – Medical supervision by a physician, more than four services is an anesthesiologist.

What is a modified 53 procedure?

Modifier 53- Discontinued procedure. Under certain circumstances the physician may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. An operative report is required as well as a statement as to how much of the original procedure was accomplished.

What is the allowed amount for assistant at surgery?

The allowed amount for assistant at surgery is 16% of physician fee schedule. For PA, CNS and NP allowed amount is 85% of 16% of physician fee schedule.

When to use modifier 62?

Modifier 62- WhenTwo surgeons involved in the procedure. When 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct parts of procedure, each surgeon should report the distinct operative work adding the modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add on code for that procedures as long as both surgeons continue to work together primary surgeon.

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