Home Health & Hospice Week

The 27 percent Medicare rate cut for physicians isn't the only thing that got put off until March 1 in the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011. Congress extended the exceptions process for therapy cap exemptions to March 1 as well in the law, notes CMS in an overview of the legislation. "Outpatient therapy service providers may continue to submit claims with the KX modifier, when an exception is appropriate, for services furnished on or after January 1, 2012, through February 29, 2012," CMS reminds providers. (The therapy cap does not apply to therapy furnished under a home health plan of care, but does apply to Part B outpatient therapy an HHA provides in the home.) New cap years began Jan. 1 for all beneficiaries. The cap amount is now $1,880, CMS notes.