Practice Management Alert

Say goodbye to form 4010A1 for ICD codes as well, starting in 2012. Dig into your claim forms now to ensure that the beneficiary's information is accurate to the letter, or you'll face scores of denied claims on the new HIPAA 5010 forms. Why it matters: CMS will deny claims on which the beneficiary's name doesn't perfectly match how it's listed on his Medicare I.D. card when you begin using HIPAA 5010 form -- the new Medicare universal claim form starting in 2012. Include Jr. or Sr. Suffixes "Whenever there is a name suffix, such as 'Jr.' or 'Sr.' abbreviations, etc., it must be included with the last name," said Veronica Harshman of CMS's Division of Medicare Billing Procedures during an April 28 Open Door Forum regarding the eligibility component of the HIPAA 5010 form. You can include the suffix either with the patient's last name or in the suffix field, [...]