decisionhealth Newsletters, Answer Books - 2006 Issue 3 (March)
Program_Memos / 2002 / AB-02-016
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Article Overview
This CMS Program Memorandum explains a Medicare claims-processing update tied to the effective date of a HCPCS code and the related transition timing. It is relevant to billing staff, claims processors, and compliance teams that need to understand when the code was considered valid in the Medicare program and how contractors were instructed to handle affected claims.
Why This Topic Matters
Articles like this affect whether claims are accepted or denied during a specific implementation window, so they are important for accurate Medicare billing and historical coding research. They also help users track CMS transmittals, effective dates, and contractor instructions tied to program changes.
Article Sections
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Scope
Introduces the purpose of the memorandum and the general subject of the Medicare timing update.
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Background
Provides the policy context and explains the timing issue that led to the memorandum. References earlier CMS instruction and the broader ambulance fee schedule transition.
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Policy
Summarizes the Medicare policy change being communicated and the resulting claims-processing impact.
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Implementation
Lists contractor instructions for processing affected claims and identifies the message codes to be used in notices.
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Provider Education
Outlines outreach steps for informing providers and updating educational materials.
What You Will Learn
- The purpose of the CMS memorandum
- How the timing change affects Medicare claims processing
- What contractor actions are required for affected claims
- How CMS expects providers to be informed about the update
- The memorandum’s effective and implementation dates
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Claims processors
- Revenue cycle teams
- Compliance staff
- Medicare contractors
Codes Discussed
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Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com