OASIS Alert

Even RAPs, claims, and adjustments must meet 2010 deadline.

Thanks to new timely filing rules, you don't have long to get in your pre-2010 claims. Claims from October 2008 to December 2009 must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2010 to meet Medicare's new timely filing rules, regional home health intermediary Cahaba GBA says.

Tip: "The 'Through' date of the home health and hospice claim will be used to determine whether the timely filing requirements have been met," Cahaba says in a message to providers.

But don't wait until the last minute to submit your claims. "RAPs, claims, and adjustments that have errors and are sent to the Return to Provider (RTP) file will receive a new receipt date when corrected (F9d)," Cahaba explains. "This new receipt date must also adhere to timely filing."

Bottom line: "Simply because the claim was originally submitted timely doesn't guarantee it has satisfied the timely filing requirements," the intermediary stresses. Starting with claims dated Jan. 1, 2011, you'll have 12 months to complete submission, RHHI Palmetto GBA notes on its website. If you fail to submit the claim within 12 months, "Medicare will deny the claim," theintermediary emphasizes.