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what is the kx modifier for medicare

by Timothy Windler Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The KX modifier is a Medicare-specific modifier that indicates a beneficiary has gone above their therapy threshold amount. To my knowledge, there are no other insurance payers that use this modifier. I hope that helps!

The KX modifier, described in subsection D., is added to claim lines to indicate that the clinician attests that services at and above the therapy caps are medically necessary and justification is documented in the medical record.

Full Answer

When to use the KX modifier?

Other uses of KX may be required and addressed in other policies as needed. Supplier usage of the KX modifier identifies that the requirements identified in the medical policy have been met. Documentation is essential to support that the item is reasonable and necessary and that the specific coverage criteria

What does modifier Kx mean?

Oct 21, 2021 · Modifier KX is used to confirm requirements outlined in the appropriate Local Coverage Determination (LCD), are met for the procedure billed.

How to add Kx modifier?

May 03, 2018 · Modifier KX Requirements specified in the applicable Local Coverage Determination (LCD) have been met Use of the KX modifier indicates that the supplier has ensured coverage criteria for the DMEPOS billed is met and that documentation does exist to support the medical necessity of item. Documentation must be available upon request.

What is Kx modifier used for?

Nov 14, 2019 · KX Modifier Thresholds (formerly known as Therapy Cap Process) Under Medicare Part B, the annual limitations on per beneficiary incurred expenses for outpatient therapy services are commonly referred to as “therapy caps” now known as KX modifier thresholds.

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What is modifier code KX?

Modifier KX Use of the KX modifier indicates that the supplier has ensured coverage criteria for the billed is met and that documentation does exist to support the medical necessity of item. Documentation must be available upon request.May 4, 2018

Is KX modifier still valid?

Therapists should continue to affix the KX modifier to all medically necessary services above the designated limit ($2,010 in 2018), thus signaling Medicare to pay the claim. That means you must continue to track your patients' progress toward the threshold so you know when to affix the modifier.Oct 8, 2018

What is the KX modifier threshold for 2020?

For CY 2020, the KX modifier threshold amounts are: (a) $2,080 for Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) services combined, and (b) $2,080 for Occupational Therapy (OT) services. Make sure your billing staffs are aware of these updates.Oct 25, 2019

Where do you put the KX modifier?

The KX modifier is appended on claims at or very close to the $1920 cap, and should not applied from the first visit, even if the therapist knows that the cap will likely be exceeded. At least one MAC has notified therapists that a pattern of early application of the KX modifier may be consider an abuse practice.Jan 14, 2014

When should KX modifier be used?

The KX modifier, described in subsection D., is added to claim lines to indicate that the clinician attests that services at and above the therapy caps are medically necessary and justification is documented in the medical record.

Does modifier KX affect payment?

When the KX modifier is appended to a therapy HCPCS code, the contractor will override the CWF system reject for services that exceed the caps and pay the claim if it is otherwise payable.Jan 25, 2019

What will the Medicare premium be in 2021?

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $170.10 for 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $233 in 2022, an increase of $30 from the annual deductible of $203 in 2021.Nov 12, 2021

What are the Medicare therapy Threshold limits for 2021?

2021 MEDICARE OUTPATIENT THERAPY CAP EXPLANATION To all our Medicare patients, ​Beginning January 1, 2021 there will be a ​cap​ ​of ​$2110.00 ​per year ​for Physical Therapy and Speech-language pathology together. A separate cap of $2110.00 per year is allowable for Occupational Therapy Services.Jan 1, 2021

What are the income limits for Medicare 2021?

In 2021, the adjustments will kick in for individuals with modified adjusted gross income above $88,000; for married couples who file a joint tax return, that amount is $176,000. For Part D prescription drug coverage, the additional amounts range from $12.30 to $77.10 with the same income thresholds applied.Nov 10, 2020

Does Aetna Medicare use KX modifier?

Effective June 1, 2020, we'll allow hemodialysis services billed with modifier KX. You can use this modifier to report services required in excess of the three times per seven-day period.Jun 1, 2020

What is KJ modifier?

KJ — DMEPOS ITEM, PARENTERAL ENTERAL NUTRITION (PEN) PUMP OR CAPPED RENTAL, Month four to fifteen. This modifier is used for capped rental DME items. When using the KJ modifier, you are indicating you are billing for months four through thirteen/fifteen of the capped rental period.

What is KY modifier used for?

Since the “KY” modifier indicates that the accessory is used with a non-competitively bid base unit, if the claim is billed without the “KY” modifier, claims submitted by a non-contract supplier will be denied and claims submitted by a contract supplier will be reimbursed based on the single payment amount.Feb 8, 2013

Modifier KX

Use of the KX modifier indicates that the supplier has ensured coverage criteria for the DMEPOS billed is met and that documentation does exist to support the medical necessity of item. Documentation must be available upon request.

Incorrect Use

Append KX modifier to claim without verifying coverage criteria and existence of documentation

Appeal Option

Denied claims requiring a change specific to KX modifier, whether it be adding or removing it, must be requested via Written Redetermination only

When did the KX modifier expire?

Section 202 of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) extended the therapy cap exceptions process through December 31, 2017. As a reminder, excessive use of the KX modifier including routine use of the modifier prior to reaching the cap limits may indicate abusive billing.

What is the KX modifier?

A: The KX modifier is added to claim lines to indicate that the clinician attests that services are medically necessary and justification is documented in the medical record. Even though no special documentation is submitted to the contractor for automatic process exceptions, the clinician is responsible for consulting guidance in the Medicare manuals and in the professional literature to determine if the beneficiary qualifies for the automatic process exception. In addition, the clinician’s opinion is not binding on the Medicare contractor; the Medicare contractor makes the final determination concerning whether the claim is payable.#N#Q: When are exceptions to the therapy caps for services provided in a SNF setting considered?#N#Revised 09/2015

When exceptions are in effect and the beneficiary qualifies for a therapy cap exception, the provider shall add

When exceptions are in effect and the beneficiary qualifies for a therapy cap exception, the provider shall add a KX modifier to the therapy HCPCS code subject to the cap limits. The KX modifier shall not be added to any line of service that is not a medically necessary service; this applies to services that, according to a local coverage determination by the contractor, are not medically necessary services.

What is documentation justifying services?

A: Documentation justifying the services shall be submitted in response to any Additional Documentation Request (ADR) for claims that are selected for medical review. If medical records are requested for review, clinicians may include, at their discretion, a summary that specifically addresses the justification for therapy cap exception and they should follow the documentation requirements listed

What is Medicare Administrative Contractor?

The Medicare Administrative Contractor is hereby advised that this constitutes technical direction as defined in your contract. CMS does not construe this as a change to the MAC Statement of Work. The contractor is not obligated to incur costs in excess of the amounts allotted in your contract unless and until specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer. If the contractor considers anything provided, as described above, to be outside the current scope of work, the contractor shall withhold performance on the part(s) in question and immediately notify the Contracting Officer, in writing or by e-mail, and request formal directions regarding continued performance requirements.

Does the revision date apply to red italicized material?

Disclaimer for manual changes only: The revision date and transmittal number apply only to red italicized material. Any other material was previously published and remains unchanged. However, if this revision contains a table of contents, you will receive the new/revised information only, and not the entire table of contents.

What is a KX modifier?

Thank you for your question. The KX modifier is a Medicare-specific modifier that indicates a beneficiary has gone above their therapy threshold amount. To my knowledge, there are no other insurance payers that use this modifier. I hope that helps!

What is the purpose of NCDs and LCDs?

Use NCDs and LCDs to determine medical necessity. What Medicare considers “reasonable and necessary” isn’t always cut and dried; instead, it varies based on on both National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) and Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs).

Can you still submit a claim to Medicare with a GA modifier?

Once you have a signed ABN on file, you should still submit claims to Medicare—with a GA modifier, which will trigger Medicare to reject those claims. Then, after you receive the denial from Medicare, you can collect payment for those services directly from your patients.

Do you need to affix KX modifier to Medicare?

Therapists should continue to affix the KX modifier to all medically necessary services above the designated limit ($2,010 in 2018), thus signaling Medicare to pay the claim. That means you must continue to track your patients’ progress toward the threshold so you know when to affix the modifier. It also means your documentation should fully support the medical necessity of your services, because Medicare performs targeted reviews for claims over the secondary threshold of $3,000 (when providers meet certain criteria such as having a high claim denial rate or aberrant billing practices). But, that certainly doesn’t mean you should shy away from providing—and billing Medicare for—services above the threshold as long as they are, in fact, medically necessary. That could unnecessarily delay your patients’ progression through their care.

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