
The rule allows practitioners to bill Medicare for one unit of service if its length is at least eight (but fewer than 22) minutes. A billable “unit” of service refers to the time interval for the service. Under the 8-minute rule, units of service consist of 15 minutes each. How Does Medicare’s 8-Minute Rule Work?
Are you eligible for medication therapy management (MTM) services?
D) have been eligible for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services since April 1, 2017. To be eligible for MTM services reimbursement, pharmacists must complete an MTM program approved by the Accreditation
What are the billing codes for MTM services?
Table 1: Billing Codes for MTM Services CPT Code Service Rate Limitations 99605 Initial assessment performed face- to-face in a time increment of upto 15 minutes $50 Only one CPT 99605 will be covered per provider per beneficiary in a 365-day period.
Does Medicare cover medication therapy management?
Medication Therapy Management programs for complex health needs If you're in a Medicare drug plan and take medications for different medical conditions, you may be eligible for a free Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program. This program helps you and your doctor make sure that your medications are working to improve your health.
What are the Medicare billing rules for medical billing?
The rule allows practitioners to bill Medicare for one unit of service if its length is at least eight (but fewer than 22) minutes. A billable “unit” of service refers to the time interval for the service.

How is MTM billed?
To calculate the amount of time that is reimbursable for prolonged outpatient services, take the total face-to-face time and divided by 15 minutes. The first 15 minutes of each session is billed using either 99605 or 99606, additional time is billed using 99607. MTM sessions may not exceed one hour per session.
What are the 5 components of MTM?
MTM includes five core elements: medication therapy review, a personal medication record, a medication-related action plan, intervention or referral, and documentation and follow-up.
Does Medicare Part D cover MTM?
Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services are offered at no additional charge to Medicare Advantage plan members with Part D coverage who meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) criteria.
What is a Medicare MTM program?
Plans with Medicare drug coverage must offer free Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services if you meet certain requirements or are in a program to help members use their opioids safely. This program helps you and your doctor make sure that your medications are working to improve your health.
What are the two critical aspects of MTM services?
MTM services include providing education and counseling, improving medication adherence, and detecting adverse drug events and medication misuse.
What is the difference between CMM and MTM?
In general, MTM may be regarded as more specific to the services applied for Medicare patients, while CMM is an approach used mainly in formalized collaborative practice settings such as accountable care organizations (ACOs).
What is an MTM function that techs can perform in most states?
Technicians can provide support or management roles in MTM functions, such as the following: Medical and pharmacy record gathering, organization, and assessment. Medication reconciliation (developing a Personal Medication List) Correspondence with patients, physicians, other health care providers.
Who benefits from MTM services?
People who may benefit the most include those who use several medications, those who have several health conditions, those who have questions or problems with their medications, those who are taking medications that require close monitoring, those who have been hospitalized, and those who obtain their medications from ...
What is comprehensive medication review?
Comprehensive Medication Reviews (CMRs) Comprehensive in-person consultations where pharmacists collect patients' clinical information and medication history, assess prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication usage, identify potential medication problems, and create plans to solve problems.
Will Medicare pay for a medication dispenser?
Unfortunately for seniors, Medicare does not pay for electronic pill reminder services by any name (medication management, automatic pill dispensers, etc.).
What is the name of the legislation that required MTM services to be a part of Medicare Part D?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148) authorized grants for “medication management services” in all practice settings (Section 3503), noting that such services will help manage chronic disease, reduce medical errors, and improve patient adherence to therapies while reducing acute-care costs and ...
What is a medication management program?
• A range of services provided to individual patients to optimize therapeutic. outcomes (help patients get the most benefit from their medications) and detect. and prevent costly medication problems. i. .
What is Medication Therapy Management?
Within the area of practice of a clinical pharmacist or other certified healthcare professional, Medication Therapy Management involves a wide variety of specialized duties and obligations. These services may include, but are not limited to, the following, depending on the patient’s specific needs.
This Discipline encompasses a variety of Roles
When someone asks how to bill for medication therapy management, it all depends on what tasks are involved. Physicians strive to complete tasks as smoothly as possible so that patients have a positive experience and return to the same clinic for future procedures, resulting in client loyalty and, ultimately, increased profitability.
The wrap up
Some might argue whether MTM is actually effective in achieving its core goal of ensuring “the best treatment results for patients.” Any Medical Therapy Management flaws that contribute to ineffective medication management can increase the risk of hospitalizations, serious adverse events, or other comorbidities.
How long is Medicare billing?
The rule allows practitioners to bill Medicare for one unit of service if its length is at least eight (but fewer than 22) minutes. A billable “unit” of service refers to the time interval for the service. Under the 8-minute rule, units of service consist of 15 minutes each.
How many minutes does Medicare take?
The services are then billed in 15-minute units. Therefore, if a service or services take (s) 20 minutes, Medicare will be billed for one unit, because the number of minutes falls between eight and 22. If 23 to 37 minutes is spent on the service (s), Medicare can be billed for two units. If the service (s) take (s) 38 to 52 minutes, ...
How long does Medicare require for outpatient services?
Since Medicare requires the 8-minute rule to be followed for these in-person, outpatient services, providers do not have the choice of using another billing method.
What is the 8 minute rule for Medicare?
What is the Medicare 8-Minute Rule? Medicare’s 8-minute rule is a stipulation that applies to time-based CPT codes for outpatient services, such as physical therapy. Introduced in December 1999, the 8-minute rule became effective on April 1, 2000.
How long does Medicare bill for in-person services?
The 8-minute rule applies only to services where the practitioner has direct contact with the patient. Therefore, the service must be in-person for the 8-minute rule to apply. If you’ve received more than one service, Medicare will be billed based on total timed minutes per discipline. If an individual service takes less than eight minutes, ...
Is an ultrasound billed separately?
As shown in the above example, the ultrasound is not billed separately. Since each service takes longer than eight minutes, the minutes are added together and billed to Medicare as the total number of units. As another example, Gregory visits his physical therapist’s private practice.
Is Medicare overbilled?
This results in underbilling. Therefore, patients should understand what Medicare can and should be charged for, so they can be confident they are not being overbilled.
Why do pharmacists need to have shorter MTM sessions?
Having shorter MTM sessions rather than longer ones is seen as a much easier way both pharmacists and patients towards a more effective and efficient session. Pharmacists must train their staff, including interns and technicians, to help enhance MTM services.
When did MTM start?
It is a known fact that MTM services began in 2003 following the passage of the Medicare Modernization Act, and in 2006 MTM services were provided to Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
