Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

At long last, CMS is correcting recoupments it made in error for supposedly incarcerated beneficiaries, but you’ll have to wait to reconcile your accounts receivable.

CMS has begun making refunds of incorrect takebacks and expects “the majority” to be resolved by mid-December, the agency says in a new Frequently Asked Question document on the matter.

Exception: “Appealed claims will be handled separately and, where appropriate, refunds will be generated at a later date,” the FAQ says. “If you have received a refund check and are in need of additional remittance details,” you’ll have to wait another week or so, says NGS Medicare in a Dec. 4 message to providers.

“You are assured of receiving those details in a separate letter, postmarked by 12/12/13, and we are requesting your patience in awaiting that information,” the MAC continues.

Resource: See more details about the denials and refund process at www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Contracting/FFSProvCustSvcGen/2013-Claim-Denials-Due-to-Beneficiary-Incarceration-Status.html.