The provider of Medicare covered services is required to file the claim for the patient. The provider cannot provide a “super bill” to the patient so that the patient can file their own Medicare claim. Chiropractors cannot Opt-Out of the Medicare program and treat patients under a private agreement. Even if a provider is non-participating […]
Continue readingA Pro Re Nata (or PRN which means “as needed”) visit is a stand-alone treatment episode. It is not considered a subsequent visit and must be treated as an initial visit. Therefore, all the required components of an initial visit are also required for PRN visits. The main difference that sets a PRN visit apart […]
Continue readingYour patients’ Medicare ID number may change following data breach In response to a recent data breach, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is mailing approximately 47,000 Medicare cards with new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) numbers to those affected. Medicare covers more than 65 million people, so the odds of one of your […]
Continue readingThe Office of Management and Budget approved the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (Form CMS-R-131) for renewal. This renewed form expires January 31, 2026. The expiration date is the only change to the form. You may use the renewed form now, but you must use it beginning June 30, 2023, when the previous version expires. […]
Continue readingMedicare should not be billed for services if payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made, by the following primary plans when certain conditions are satisfied: Group health plans Workers’ compensation plans Liability insurance No-fault insurance The details of the ‘certain conditions’ are spelled out in our Medicare Course If the […]
Continue readingIn the Medicare program the only covered service for a Chiropractor is the Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT) – the adjustment. ALL other services are non-covered and should be modified with a GY modifier indicating that the service is a non-covered service. You are NOT required to file non-covered services to Medicare. As a matter of fact, […]
Continue readingHow much you should bill to Medicare and how much you should collect from the patient is dependent upon several factors: Is the doctor a participator Is the doctor a non-participator not accepting assignment Is the doctor a non-participator accepting assignment What is the Medicare fee schedule for your state and region Is Medicare traditional […]
Continue readingOnce a Medicare patient has completed his treatment plan he should be treated thereafter on maintenance care which is not payable under Medicare rules. Although maintenance adjustments are not payable, they are still a covered service and must be filed. In order for you to be paid for these adjustments the patient should sign an […]
Continue readingIn days past if you depended upon an x-ray to demonstrate subluxation, you were required to show the date of the x-ray in block 19 in the claim form. For example: This is no longer required. Currently, any date placed in item 19 is considered date of last x-ray. It is recommended that providers do […]
Continue readingA Medicare card is issued to every person who is entitled to Medicare benefits and may be identified by its red, white and blue coloring. (See also Railroad Medicare) This card identifies the Medicare patient and includes the following information: • Name • Medicare Number (a randomized alphanumeric number – Medicare cards that bear the […]
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