Medicare Blog

what do the medicare codes mean

by Prof. Jordan White III Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Following are descriptions of what the primary letter codes in all Medicare Claim Numbers indicate. Code A “A” at the end of your Medicare number indicates you are a retired wage earner and primary claimant. The numerical part of your Medicare number matches your Social Security Number. Code B “B” by itself means you are the wife of the primary claimant, and are at least 62 years old. Other Medicare suffixes in the “B” category include:

Full Answer

What diagnosis codes are covered by Medicare?

Mar 01, 2020 · HCPCS codes are numbers Medicare assigns to every task and service a healthcare provider may provide to a patient. There are codes for each medical, surgical, and diagnostic service. HCPCS stands for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. Hero Images / Getty Images.

What are Medicare codes?

May 19, 2016 · Code F – this is the parent category. These codes are assigned to dependent parents of the worker who earned Medicare benefits. All “F” codes are followed by a number to signify the relationship. Code H — indicates Medicare eligi­bility due to disability. HA means you are a disabled claimant. HB means you are the wife of a disabled claimant.

What are some Medicare denial codes?

1.4 Definitions of Medicare Code Edits September 2011 1. Invalid diagnosis or procedure code The Medicare Code Editor checks each diagnosis including the admit-ting diagnosis and each procedure against a table of valid ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes. If an entered code does not agree with any code on the internal list, it is assumed to be invalid.

What are Medicare remark codes?

Aug 03, 2020 · What do the letters in Medicare numbers mean? All “F” codes are followed by a number to signify the relationship. Code H — indicates Medicare eligibility due to disability. HA means you are a disabled claimant. HB means you are the wife of a disabled claimant. HC means you are the child of a disabled claimant.

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What are Medicare codes?

HCPCS codes are numbers Medicare assigns to every task and service a healthcare provider may provide to a patient. There are codes for each medical, surgical, and diagnostic service. HCPCS stands for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System.Mar 1, 2020

What are the G codes for Medicare?

G-codes are used to report a beneficiary's functional limitation being treated and note whether the report is on the beneficiary's current status, projected goal status, or discharge status.Dec 1, 2021

What are Medicare code edits?

The Medicare Code Editor (MCE) detects and reports errors in the coding claims data. The editor checks each diagnosis including the admitting diagnosis and each procedure against a table of valid ICD codes.

What are healthcare codes?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are numbers assigned to each task and service a healthcare provider offers. They include medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. Insurers use the numbers to determine how much money to pay a provider. Everyone uses the same codes to ensure uniformity.Feb 17, 2022

What are HCPCS K codes?

2022 HCPCS Codes > K Codes
  • K0001 – Standard wheelchair.
  • K0002 – Stnd hemi (low seat) whlchr.
  • K0003 – Lightweight wheelchair.
  • K0004 – High strength ltwt whlchr.
  • K0005 – Ultralightweight wheelchair.
  • K0006 – Heavy duty wheelchair.
  • K0007 – Extra heavy duty wheelchair.
  • K0008 – Cstm manual wheelchair/base.

What is a category code?

Category codes are user defined codes to which you can assign a title and a value. The title appears on the appropriate screen next to the field in which you type the code.

What is the code 99213?

CPT® code 99213: Established patient office visit, 20-29 minutes | American Medical Association.

What are coding edits?

CMS uses claims coding edits to prevent overpayment or inappropriate reimbursement of Part B fee schedule services. For the physician fee schedule, there are two basic types of code edits: the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) and the Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs).

What is CPT code 99213 used for?

Established Patient Office or Other Outpatient Services
CPT® 99213, Under Established Patient Office or Other Outpatient Services. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 99213 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Established Patient Office or Other Outpatient Services.

What are the 4 types of medical coding systems?

Types of Codes Used
  • ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinically Modified) ...
  • CPT® (Current Procedure Terminology) ...
  • ICD-10-PCS (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Procedural Coding System) ...
  • HCPCS Level II (Health Care Procedural Coding System, Level II)

How many types of medical codes are there?

Category 1 – Five digit codes with descriptions that correspond to a service or procedure. Category 2 – Alphanumeric tracking codes used for execution measurement. Category 3 – Provisional codes for new and developing technology, procedures, and services.

What are standard code sets?

What is a code set? Under HIPAA, a "code set" is any set of codes used for encoding data elements, such as tables of terms, medical concepts, medical diagnosis codes, or medical procedure codes.Sep 19, 2000

What does HB mean in Medicare?

HB means you are the wife of a disabled claimant. HC means you are the child of a disabled claimant. Codes J & K – these categories are for workers and spouses respec­tively who become eligible for special Medicare benefits without drawing Social Security.

When did Obama end Medicare cards?

President Obama signed a bill in 2015 that will end the use of these numbers on Medicare cards. Medicare has four years to start issuing cards with new identi­fiers.

What is a J and K code?

Codes J & K – these categories are for workers and spouses respec­tively who become eligible for special Medicare benefits without drawing Social Security. Varying codes apply depending on whether the worker has enough quarters of employment to earn Part A coverage or if they have to pay for it separately.

What is the code for widows?

Code E – this category applies to widows and widowers who are also parents of quali­fying children. “E” is a partic­u­larly compli­cated category given the many varia­tions.

What does the number portion of a spouse's Social Security number mean?

The number portion could be your spouse’s Social Security number to indicate you qualify for benefits because of your relationship to them. The nature of your eligi­bility is then indicated by the letter code that follows.

Does Medicare card have a letter code?

Letter codes following the Social Security number on Medicare cards do not indicate the type of insurance.

Will Medicare change their claim number?

Medicare will eventually be changing their claim numbers to use something other than the claimant’s Social Security number .

How many diagnoses are allowed for females in Medicare?

Diagnoses allowed for females only 1.82 Definitions of Medicare Code EditsSeptember 2011

What is age conflict in Medicare?

4. Age conflictThe Medicare Code Editor detects inconsistencies between a patient’s age and any diagnosis on the patient’s record. For example, a five-year-old patient with benign prostatic hypertrophy or a 78-year-old patient coded with a delivery. In the above cases, the diagnosis is clinically and virtually impossible in a patient of the stated age. Theref ore, either the diagnosis or the age is presumed to be incorrect. There are four age categories for diagno- ses in the program:

What causes morbidity codes to be external?

2. External causes of morbidity codes as principal diagnosis 1. Invalid diagnosis or procedure code

What is the MCE in medical?

THE MEDICARE CODE EDITOR (MCE) detects and reports errors in the coding claims data. This manual contains a  description of each coding edit with corresponding ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code lists which were published in December 2010. The coding edit information in this manual is effective from 10/01/2010 to 09/30/2011. However it is not intended to be used to process claims as the ICD- 10 code set will not be mandated for use until October 1, 2013.

When did CMS standardize reason codes?

In 2015 CMS began to standardize the reason codes and statements for certain services. As a result, providers experience more continuity and claim denials are easier to understand.

What is Medicare review contractor?

Historically, Medicare review contractors (Medicare Administrative Contractors, Recovery Audit Contractors and the Supplemental Medical Review Contractor) developed and maintained individual lists of denial reason codes and statements. If you deal with multiple CMS contractors, understanding the many denial codes and statements can be hard. In 2015 CMS began to standardize the reason codes and statements for certain services. As a result, providers experience more continuity and claim denials are easier to understand.

What does CMS review?

CMS contractors medically review some claims (and prior authorizations) to ensure that payment is billed (or authorization requested) only for services that meet all Medicare rules.

What is the Medicare card number?

The number displayed on your Medicare card, however, is known as the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier and is randomly generated for you.

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance and provides coverage for inpatient stays at hospitals and skilled nursing care facilities, among other inpatient services.

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, uses a letter system to identify its plans. Medicare Supplement Insurance is used in conjunction with Part A and Part B of Medicare to provide coverage for certain out-of-pocket expenses like some Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

How many Medicare Supplement Plans are there?

There are 10 Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, identified by letters: Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N. Note that Medigap coverage options are referred to as “plan” (e.g., Medigap Plan A) as opposed to “part” (Medicare Part A hospital insurance).

How many characters are in a Medicare card?

The Medicare number displayed on Medicare cards (known as an MBI, or Medicare Beneficiary Identifier) is 11 characters long: The 2nd, 5th, 8th and 9th characters are always a letter, and the 3rd and 6th characters are sometimes a letter.

Does Medicare cover dental insurance?

Many Medicare Advantage plans may also cover additional benefits not covered by Part A and Part B, such as prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, wellness programs like SilverSneakers and more. Medicare Part D provides coverage exclusively for prescription drugs.

What is a Medicare denial code?

Medicare denial code - Full list - Description. Medicare denial code and Description. A group code is a code identifying the general category of payment adjustment. A group code must always be used in conjunction with a claim adjustment reason code to show liability for amounts not covered by Medicare for a claim or service.

What is a CO code?

CO or contractual obligations is the group code that is used whenever the contractual agreement existing between the payee and payer or the regulatory requirement has resulted in a proper adjustment.

What precedes the date of service?

13 The date of death precedes the date of service.

Is a 47 diagnosis covered?

47 This (these) diagnosis ( es) is ( are) not covered, missing, or are invalid.

What does the A on Medicare number mean?

“A” at the end of your Medicare number indicates you are a retired wage earner and primary claimant. The numerical part of your Medicare number matches your Social Security Number.

How to contact Medicare for letter code?

For further information about Medicare letter codes and other Medicare symbols, you can contact the Medicare Administration toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4277). For information about Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare Advantage, and all your best healthcare options, contact MedicareMall today! © 2013 MedicareMall.com.

What does the suffix A mean on Medicare?

Besides the letter A, which indicates you are a primary claimant who has paid into the Medicare system as a wage earner, there are 33 other common codes that appear at the end of Medicare Claim Numbers to identify the nature of eligibility.

What does HA code mean?

Code H. “H” indicates Medicare eligibility is due to disability. HA means you are a disabled claimant, HB means you are the wife of a disabled claimant, and HC means you are the child of a disabled claimant. If your Medicare number includes the HA code, your Social Security appears in your Medicare number. If your Medicare number includes the HB ...

What is the HA code on my Medicare card?

If your Medicare number includes the HA code, your Social Security appears in your Medicare number. If your Medicare number includes the HB or HC code, your disabled spouse’s or parent’s Social Security number represents the first nine digits of your Medicare number.

How many digits should be in a Medicare claim?

The first nine digits of a Medicare Claim Number should match the nine digits of the cardholder’s Social Security Number or, often, the nine digits of the cardholder’s spouse’s, parent’s, or child’s Social Security Number. Whether the nine digits of your Medicare number match your Social Security Number or another person’s Social Security Number ...

What does C mean in a claim?

Code C. “C” indicates you are the child of a primary claimant. Numerical suffixes following “C” indicate which child you are in relation to the primary claimant. For example, if you are the first child, your suffix is C1; if you are the second child, your suffix is C2; and so on. If your suffix code is in the “C” category, ...

What does E mean in Medicare?

E = Excluded from physician fee schedule by regulation . These codes are for items and/or services that CMS chose to exclude from the fee schedule payment by regulation. No RVUs or payment amounts are shown and no payment may be made under the fee schedule for these codes. Payment for these codes, when covered continues under reasonable charge procedures.

What is the limiting charge for Medicare?

The limiting charge is equal to 115 percent of the non-participating allowance. eRx limiting charge - Maximum amount that a non-participating unsuccessful e-prescriber may bill their Medicare patients on non-assigned claims.

What does 0 mean in a team surgeon?

0 = Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.

What does facility setting -# mean?

Facility setting -'#' in this field indicates when facility pricing applies.

When did standard payment adjustment rules in effect?

Standard payment adjustment rules in effect before January 1, 1996, for multiple procedures apply. In the 1996 MPFSDB, this indicator only applies to codes with procedure status of "D".

Does Medicare have a national coverage determination?

does not mean that Medicare has made a national coverage determination regarding the service; carriers remain responsible for coverage decisions in the absence of a national Medicare Policy. B = Payment for covered services are always bundled into payment for other services not specified.

What are the parts of Medicare?

There are four parts of Medicare. Each one helps pay for different health care costs. Part A helps pay for hospital and facility costs . This includes things like a shared hospital room, meals and nurse care. It can also help cover the cost of hospice, home health care and skilled nursing facilities. Part B helps pay for medical costs.

What is a Part C plan?

Part C helps pay for hospital and medical costs, plus more. Part C plans are only available through private health insurance companies. They’re called Medicare Advantage plans. They cover everything Parts A and B cover, plus more. They usually cover more of the costs you’d have to pay for out of pocket with Medicare Parts A and B. Part C plans put a limit on what you pay out of pocket in a given year, too. Some of these plans cover preventive dental, vision and hearing costs. Original Medicare doesn’t.

What does Part B cover?

It can also help cover the cost of hospice, home health care and skilled nursing facilities. Part B helps pay for medical costs. This is care that happens outside of a hospital. It includes things like doctor visits and outpatient procedures. It also covers some preventive care, like flu shots.

Does Medicare cover dental?

Some of these plans cover preventive dental, vision and hearing costs. Original Medicare doesn’t. You can see a list of the Medicare Advantage plans we offer and what they cover. Part D helps pay for prescription drugs. Part D plans are only available through private health insurance companies. They’re called prescription drug plans.

Does Medicare Advantage cover generic drugs?

You can read about our prescription drug plans and what they cover. Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug plans built right into them.

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