Medicare Updates for 2008
posted 2/1/08 |
In an effort to keep KMA members informed, the KMA met with National Government Services (NGS) to review Medicare updates for 2008. Click on the links below for more information about each update.
Medicare Payment Update
Despite the delayed intervention by Congress to temporarily avert the scheduled cut in 2008 Medicare physician payments, some Medicare contractors have not yet updated their Web sites to reflect the updated physician fee schedule. National Government Services (NGS) updated their fee schedule on December 27, 2007, so Kentucky physicians should not experience a delay in payment.
Medicare NPI Deadlines
Two more national provider identifier (NPI) deadlines are fast approaching. As of March 1, 2008, electronic billing of Medicare must include NPIs, in addition to any older IDs physicians may be using. After March 23, 2008, physicians will be required to use only NPIs on all electronic claims submitted to Medicare.
New Medicare Phone System – Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
On February 1, 2008, NGS initiated an automated IVR application that responds to an individual’s voice. Providers can obtain patient eligibility, claim information, and general information. There is now a separate customer care line to address specific claims issues.
IVR: 1-866-290-4036
Customer Care: 1-866-276-9558.
NPI Crosswalk
NGS advises all providers to verify the correct information in all fields prior to filing claims. If the claim is still not processing, contact EDI to assure claims will properly cross walk to NGS, EDI: 1-877-273-4334.
Provider Outreach: Surgery Services Course
This four-hour seminar includes all information that providers need to know if billing surgical codes to Medicare Part B. The topics covered include: critical care, billing surgeries in unusual circumstances, and more.
NGS Changes P.O. Box Addresses
NGS has consolidated many of their Post Office boxes, effective December 26, 2007. NGS states that mail sent to the PO boxes gets handled more quickly than mail sent to the street addresses and it is their intention to return mail sent to the street addresses in the future. If it is necessary to send mail overnight, please do so via US Post Office Express Mail to the appropriate PO box. The PO box changes relevant to Kentucky physicians for Medicare Part B are available here. For Medicare Part A or changes in other states, please click here.
Kentucky
Medical Association
4965 US Hwy 42, Ste 2000
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 426-6200
Fax (502) 426-6877
email member@kyma.org
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