Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC) Updates

As per the recent ACA press release, thanks to the longstanding and ongoing efforts of the ACA effective 1/1/2014 there will be an increase in the RVU for CMT codes in the Medicare fee for service system. The increase amounts to slightly over 2% for code 98940, 9% for 98941 and 10% for 98942. As we know many other systems look to Medicare as their fee schedule base, theses increases may have far reaching impact. In addition there will be upcoming decreases in the fee reduction penalties due to the expenditures from the demonstration project. However please be advised that there is still a 20% reduction pending if the SGR remains in place. Although every year Congress acts at the last minute to repeal the SGR one never knows and a last minute grass roots effort may be necessary to hold off this reduction. Watch your emails for how you can help!

PQRS

It still isn’t too late to start for 2013, start now and you can avoid penalties in 2015! There will be some changes for 2014 and we will get those out to you as soon as they are available. Don’t wait start reporting appropriate G codes today. Visit www.acatoday.org and search PQRS2-13 toolkit for details.

Railroad Medicare Update

The ACA continues to dialogue with administrators from Palmetto GBA regarding their blanket denials and excessive documentation requirements. CMS prefers that this gets handled between Palmetto and the ACA but will step in if necessary. If you receive a denial on Railroad Medicare please appeal, it will be important if CMS has to intervene.

2014 Medicare Deductible

The Medicare deductible for 2014 is $147, unchanged from 2013. Medicare Part C (Advantage Plans) copayment for chiropractic services cannot exceed $20 or 50% in the case of co-insurance. If you have evidence of non-compliance with this please send it to the ACA. If patient is in a Part C plan that does not have a chiropractic panel and there is no out of network benefit you may charge the patient the appropriate Medicare limiting charge and are exempt from sending a claim.

Proper Use of an ABN Form

There is NO OPTING OUT of Medicare, you may be participating (accept assignment) or not. If you choose to not obtain a Medicare provider number you CANNOT see Medicare patients, the choice is yours. Having them sign an ABN on the first visit, declaring them maintenance with instruction to select Option 2 is not appropriate. As this is becoming a trend in some states with some groups many state boards are looking into this to sanction doctors.

For a properly delivered ABN, whether the patient selects Option 1 or 2 you may collect your full fee without Medicare fee restrictions. If the patient selects Option 1 submit the bill to Medicare, if Option 2 is selected a bill is not submitted.

CERT Reviews

Changes being made to CERT reviews, the time frame to respond was 75 days with 4 reminders by letter. Effective 1/1/2014 CERT review timeframe response has been shortened to 60 days with the initial letter Day 1 and reminders Days 30 and 45. As with all audits, read the letter carefully and send documentation as required by the letter, for assistance and guidance visit the ACA website at www.acatoday.org/Medicare.

Respectfully submitted,

Mariangela Penna, DC
NY CAC Representative