Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

• If your Medicare Secondary Payer claims appear to be in limbo, you're not alone.

National Government Services (NGS), a Medicare payer in 20 states, noted an "increase in Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) claim suspense," the MAC noted on its Web site on Sept. 29.

"This increase is the result of two FISS/Data Center issues that were first reported on September 10," NGS indicated. "All Medicare contractors have been advised to hold the claims that are affected by this issue. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has indicated that they are aware of the high volume of claims suspended nationwide and are working toward a solution."

The claims should still finalize within the 30-day allowable claims processing timeline, NGS indicated. Visit www.ngsmedicare.com for more information on this issue.