Medicare Blog

what is cci. related to medicare and why are they calling me

by Mr. Johnathon Dicki Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Technically, it should be NCCI but everyone says CCI. These are for your CPT and HCPCS Code for physician in out-patient hospital settings. They are going to affect reimbursement so they are important to understand, not that all coders do billing but coding obviously is done for reimbursement privileges so we should understand this information.

Full Answer

What does CCI stand for in medical coding?

So, first of all it stands for National Correct Coding Initiative or CCI for short. Technically, it should be NCCI but everyone says CCI. These are for your CPT and HCPCS Code for physician in out-patient hospital settings.

What is not part of CCI?

* Incidental procedure – procedure that requires little additional physician work and/or is not clini- cally integral to the performance of the more complex primary procedure being performed at the same time. These commercial edits are not part of CCI.

Who is CCI contract callers Inc?

CCI Contract Callers Inc or CCI is a debt collection agency, which receives a lot of consumer complaints to our law firm for debt harassment. Find out who they are, why they might be calling, and how you can stop them. Who is CCI Contract Callers? Is CCI Contract Callers a Scam? Can CCI Contract Callers garnish your wages?

How are CCI edits going to affect reimbursement?

They are going to affect reimbursement so they are important to understand, not that all coders do billing but coding obviously is done for reimbursement privileges so we should understand this information. So why were these CCI edits created?

What is a CCI in healthcare?

The Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) is a program that changed the way certain people in California get their health care and their long-term services and supports (LTSS). The CCI combines and coordinates certain health and other services, including mental health and other long-term services and supports (LTSS).

What are CCI counties?

The CCI was implemented in seven counties beginning in 2014. The seven counties are Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernar​dino, San Diego, San Mateo, and Santa Clara​.

Can you have Medicare and employer insurance at the same time?

Yes, you can have both Medicare and employer-provided health insurance. In most cases, you will become eligible for Medicare coverage when you turn 65, even if you are still working and enrolled in your employer's health plan.

What is a Cal MediConnect plan?

The Cal MediConnect Program is an important innovation in the nation's health care system to help out the nation's most low income individuals, those who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal (dual eligible members). This voluntary program consolidates the overlapping properties of the present system.

What is Medi-Cal fee for service?

Fee for service (FFS) is the most traditional payment model of healthcare. In this model, the healthcare providers and physicians are reimbursed based on the number of services they provide or their procedures.

When did care coordination begin?

Models of care coordination are not new. The principles of the "medical home" were first proposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1967 for the care of special needs children. The chronic care model has been developed and tested over the past 15 years.

Can I get Medicare Part B for free?

While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.

Is it necessary to have supplemental insurance with Medicare?

For many low-income Medicare beneficiaries, there's no need for private supplemental coverage. Only 19% of Original Medicare beneficiaries have no supplemental coverage. Supplemental coverage can help prevent major expenses.

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.

What is the difference between Medi-Cal managed care and Cal MediConnect?

Cal MediConnect covers all medical services and benefits covered under Medicare and Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal covers your Medicare deductibles and coinsurance – you should never be billed for those services.

Is MediConnect Medi-Cal?

Cal MediConnect combines Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits into one health plan, with additional care coordination benefits. Cal MediConnect is part of California's larger Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI).

What are the two types of Medi-Cal?

This guidebook explains the two kinds of Medi-Cal: Regular Medi-Cal and Medi-Cal Health Plans.

What is CCI Contract Callers?

CCI Contract Callers or CCI is a third-party collection agency and accounts receivable management (ARM) company based in Georgia. CCI has received...

Is CCI Contract Callers a scam?

They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), CCI Contract Callers, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency originally founded in 19...

CCI Contract Callers Calling You?

Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such...

Can I sue CCI for harassment?

Yes. If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. Federal laws provide individuals like you with a means...

What does it mean when you receive calls from debt collectors?

You are receiving early morning or late night calls from debt collectors. You are receiving calls at work from a debt collection agency. Debt collectors are calling your family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Collectors are threatening you with violence, lawsuit, or arrest.

Is CCI a legit company?

They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), CCI Contract Callers, Inc. is a legitimate collection agency originally founded in 1926, then incorporated and started locally in 1981. The BBB established a profile page for CCI in 2014. CCI is listed as a collection agency “that also provides accounts receivable management, ...

What is the NCCI PTP modifier indicator?

Most edits involving paired organs or structures (e.g., eyes, ears, extremities, lungs, kidneys) have NCCI PTP modifier indicators of “1” because the 2 codes of the code pair edit may be reported if performed on the contralateral organs or structures.

What does MAI mean in CMS?

The MUE files on the CMS NCCI website display an MAI for each HCPCS/CPT code. An MAI of “1” indicates that the edit is a claim line edit. An MAI of “2” or “3” indicates that the edit is a date of service MUE.

What is CMS MUE?

The CMS MUE program was developed to reduce the paid claims error rate for Medicare claims. MUEs are designed to reduce errors due to clerical entries and incorrect coding based on criteria such as anatomic considerations, HCPCS/CPT code descriptors, CPT coding instructions, established CMS policies, nature of a service/procedure, nature of an analyte, nature of equipment, prescribing information, and claims data.

How often are NCCI edits valid?

There is no set time period for which NCCI edits are valid. Some edits may remain in place indefinitely. The PTP edits and MUEs may be updated at least quarterly.

What modifier is used to report repeat testing?

These edits allow use of NCCI PTP-associated modifier 91 to bypass them if one or more of the individual laboratory tests are repeated on the same date of service. The repeat testing must be medically reasonable and necessary. Modifier 91 may be used to report this repeat testing.

Does CMS have a comment period?

Prior to implementing new edits, the CMS generally provides a review and comment period to representative national organizations that may be impacted by the edits. However, there are situations when the CMS thinks that it is prudent to implement edits prior to completion of the review and comment period.

Can Medicare Part B claim be denialed?

The application of Medicare’s NCCI methodologies, and thereby the application of Medicare payment policies and rules, to claims other than Medicare Part B claims may result in denials by other plans.

What to do if you think Medicare is calling you?

If you think the call is from Medicare, hang up and call them back at the national number. Then, if it was one of them, they can help you. However, if Medicare isn’t attempting to reach you, then you avoid a spammer trying to steal your information. Telemarketing calls attempt to commit fraud and theft.

How to report a fraudulent call to Medicare?

How to Report a Medicare Call. You can report a fraudulent call from someone claiming they worked for Medicare by going to the FTC Complaint Assistant. You can help protect yourself from fraudulent activities by never offering credit card or personal information to anyone.

Is a robocall the same as a doctor's appointment?

Not all robocalls are the same. Often, doctors’ offices will use a robocall to remind you of a doctor’s appointment. Keep this in mind when listening to a robocall. Not all robocalls are harmful, but about 40% of them are spam, and that’s why making reports is essential.

Can you get information from Medicare if you have Social Security?

When enrolling in Medicare, you should be aware that neither Social Security nor Medicare calls you to get information. Should any issue arise in which Medicare or Social Security needs any information from you, they’ll ALWAYS send you a letter to notify you. If you’re getting too many spam phone calls, you might want to get on ...

Will Medicare call you?

Medicare will never call you! Medicare may need information from you or may need to reach you; but, they’ll NEVER call. You’ll get a letter that will notify you of the necessary information that Medicare needs. Long story short, if the calls you’re receiving claim to be from Medicare, it’s a spam call.

Can Medicare call you asking for bank information?

In either of these scenarios or similar situations, do not give out your personal information. Medicare will never call you asking for bank information or credit card numbers.

Can you share your Medicare number with a stranger?

You should never share your Medicare Identifier or Social Security number with a stranger. If you get calls from someone claiming to be Medicare, get a name and phone number, and call Medicare to make a report.

What does CCI mean in CMS?

Hi, CCI means "Correct Coding Initiative" and they are contained in the CCI Edits Handbook. You can find it online via an excel format on the CMS website or you can subscribe to the written texts that are for sale. Basically there are 2 colums which contain cpt codes.

What does CCI edits mean?

CCI Edits#N#It stands for Correct Coding Initiative. I am not sure what you are looking at, but I have some coding books that tell me what codes I cannot use together. Hopes this helps.

What does indicator of (1) mean?

An indicator of (1) means that a modifier can be appended to the cpt code in Column 2 to allow it to be unbundled and therefore considered separately for payment. Remember that the modifier goes on the cpt code in Column 2. Typically, this modifier is (-59).

What does "indicators" mean in a colum?

There is a third colum which show "indicators" - (0) means that there is no way that any payor would allow payment or billing of the combination of codes found in that row, there is no modifier you can add, there is no documentation you can send, etc. Basically, the two codes are not billable together.

How many colums contain CPT codes?

Basically there are 2 colums which contain cpt codes. Column 1 is your main code/procedure and when you want to bill another service with it, you can look up to see if doing so would "unbundle" the 2 services. Column 2 shows all the codes that are considered "components" of the main code found in Column 1. For example, look up code 99213 in Column ...

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