Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
CMS Paid First EHR Incentive Bonuses Last Week
Plus: CMS Officials Want ACOs to Tackle Dual Eligible Problems Part B practices that have been using electronic health records (EHRs) under CMS's guidelines cashed in last week, when CMS sent out the first incentive payments under the EHR Incentive Program. Eligible professionals (EPs) who participate in the program receive a payment based on 75 percent of their Medicare allowed charges, with a maximum 2011 incentive payment of $18,000, according to a May 18 CMS news release. EPs cannot collect incentive payments until they meet a $24,000 threshold in allowed Medicare charges. You will collect your EHR incentive payment via electronic funds transfer or by paper check, and the money will be issued to the taxpayer identification number (TIN) selected during EHR Incentive Program registration. The payments will not come from your MAC, but from a separate contractor working with CMS. Therefore, CMS encourages you not to call your MAC regarding EHR incentive payment issues. Instead, the EHR Information Center can be reached at 888-734-6433.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- Part B Mythbuster:
Get to Know These 2 E/M Myths That Could Be Affecting Your Practice
Hint: Just because your doctor visits the ICU doesn't mean he can report critical care. [...] - Breaking News:
CMS Proposes Adding Additional Exemptions to Help You Avoid EHR Penalty
As Part B Insider was going to press, CMS released a new proposal that would [...] - 5010 Prep Quiz:
Are You And Your Vendor Ready to Use the 5010 Form? Take This Quiz to Be Sure
The June 15 test date is fast approaching.As we reported in last week's Insider, CMS [...] - Modifiers:
Modifier 57 Still Applies to Some Part B Claims, Despite Consult Pay Elimination
Don't ignore modifier 57 just because CMS stopped reimbursing for consults.Medicare may have stopped paying [...] - Physician Notes:
CMS Paid First EHR Incentive Bonuses Last Week
Plus: CMS Officials Want ACOs to Tackle Dual Eligible ProblemsPart B practices that have been [...] - In other news
Medicare officials would like to see Accountable Care Organizations help alleviate your problems with patients [...] - Reader Question:
Modifier AI: Use 2 Letters, No Numbers
Question: The inside cover of my CPT® manual shows modifier A1 (letter A, number 1) [...] - Reader Question:
91110: Nail Down Which Date of Service You Should Report
Question: When coding for a video capsule endoscopy (91110 or 91111), should we bill for [...] - Reader Question:
Know the Dx Codes for Self-Inflicted Poisoning
Question: A patient comes to the office after taking 15 Paxil, nine Ativan, and ingesting [...] - Reader Question:
MILD Procedure Requires Unlisted Code
Question: What is the best CPT® code for minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)?Indiana SubscriberAnswer: CPT® [...] - Reader Question:
CPT® Does Not Include Every Lab Panel
Question: A physician ordered a urine "kidney stone risk panel" for a patient with serial [...]
