decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2010 Issue 2 (February)
Expect more guidance from CMS on consults, officials say
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article covers early CMS communication, Medicare Administrative Contractor interpretation, and ongoing clarification efforts related to the shift away from consultation billing in Medicare. It is aimed at coders, billers, and revenue cycle staff who need to understand the policy transition, the role of MAC guidance, and the general categories of E/M services affected by the change.
Why This Topic Matters
The piece explains why the consult-code transition created uncertainty across jurisdictions and why additional official guidance matters for consistent Medicare billing practices.
Article Sections
-
CMS guidance and ongoing clarification
Overview of the initial CMS communication and the expectation of additional direction during the transition period. Discusses the broader implementation issue without detailing coding decisions.
-
Palmetto clarifies consult policy
Discussion of how one MAC and legacy carrier addressed jurisdictional differences in handling the consult-code change. Covers the policy context and the resulting need for clarification across settings.
What You Will Learn
- What the article says about the CMS transition away from consultation billing
- How MACs were involved in interpreting the policy change
- Why the consult-code change caused confusion among providers
- What general areas of E/M billing are being clarified for Medicare
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Compliance staff
- Physician practices
- Hospital coding teams
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com