When to use the KX modifier?
Oct 08, 2018 · Apply the KX modifier when you provide medically necessary services above the soft cap. 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.
What does modifier Kx mean?
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
How to add Kx modifier?
Oct 21, 2021 · Modifier KX is used to confirm requirements outlined in the appropriate Local Coverage Determination (LCD), are met for the procedure billed. By adding modifier KX to a claim, you are stating that your claim has met specific documentation requirements in the policy, and would be available upon request from the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).
What is Kx modifier used for?
May 03, 2018 · 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. It is recommended for suppliers to obtain a working knowledge of specific documentation requirements for specific medical policy prior …
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
Is modifier KX only for 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.Oct 8, 2018
What is the KX modifier threshold?
For 2021 this KX modifier threshold amount is: $2,110 for PT and SLP services combined, and. $2,110 for OT services.
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
What is the purpose of the KX modifier?
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
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 is the therapy cap for 2021?
$2110.002021 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 is Medicare going up to in 2021?
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Monday announced that he is instructing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reassess this year's standard premium, which jumped to $170.10 from $148.50 in 2021.Jan 10, 2022
How many physical therapy visits does Medicare cover?
Medicare Coverage The good news is there's no limit on the number of physical therapy treatments within one calendar year as long as your physician or physical therapist can certify that treatment is medically necessary.Sep 15, 2021
What is the Medicare cap for 2020?
The resulting maximum Social Security tax for 2020 is $8,537.40. There is no limit on the amount of earnings subject to Medicare (hospital insurance) tax....2020 Social Security and Medicare Tax Withholding Rates and Limits.Tax2019 Limit2020 LimitMedicare liabilityNo limitNo limit3 more rows
What is the Medicare cap for physical therapy in 2022?
$2,150Effective January 1, 2022, the current Medicare physical therapy caps are: $2,150 for combined physical therapy and speech-language pathology services. $2,150 for occupational therapy services.
What is KX modifier?
The KX modifier has differing requirements for usage depending on the specific Local Coverage Determination (LCD); suppliers should review the LCD/Article’s carefully to understand the documentation requirements and the proper use of the KX modifier for each policy.
What is Medicare Advantage Policy Guideline?
The Medicare Advantage Policy Guideline documents are generally used to support UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage claims processing activities and facilitate providers’ submission of accurate claims for the specified services. The document can be used as a guide to help determine applicable:
Appropriate Use
When additional documentation supports the medical requirements of the service under a valid medical policy.
Inappropriate Use
When the claim provides all information on the service billed and medical documentation does not provide further explanation.
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
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.
Spotlight
The Therapy Services webpage is being updated, in a new section on the landing page called “Implementation of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018”, to: (a) Reflect the KX modifier threshold amounts for CY 2021, (b) Add more information about implementing Section 53107 of the BBA of 2018, and (c) Note that the Beneficiary Fact Sheet has been updated.
Implementation of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
This section was last revised in March 2021 to reflect the CY 2021 KX modifier thresholds. On February 9, 2018, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA of 2018) (Public Law 115-123) was signed into law.
Other
On August 16, 2018, CMS issued a new Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to reflect the changes of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. Please find the document in the below Downloads section titled: “August 2018 ABN FAQs”.
When do you need to submit KX modifier?
Providers of outpatient therapy services are required to submit the KX modifier on their therapy claims, when an exception to the cap is requested for medically necessary services.
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
When can a beneficiary use the cap exceptions process?
The beneficiary may qualify for use of the cap exceptions process at any time during the episode when documented medically necessary services exceed caps. All covered and medically necessary services qualify for exceptions to caps. All requests for exception are in the form of a KX modifier added to claim lines.
Can you use KX modifier on PT lines?
o Use the KX modifier on either all or none of the SLP lines on the claim, as appropriate. In contrast, if all the OT lines on the claim are below the cap, do not use the KX modifier on any of the OT lines, even when the KX modifier is appropriately used on all of the PT lines.
