There are so many changes in healthcare due to COVID-19 it can be overwhelming to keep track. Kentucky REC quality experts point out a few of these changes from CMS to help providers stay on top of the most important information.
Updated Questions and Answers on COVID-19
Review CMS’ updated FAQs (PDF) to equip the American health care system with maximum flexibility to respond to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Check this resource often as CMS updates it on a regular basis – they insert the date at the end of each FAQ when it is new or updated.
Using CS Modifier When Cost-Sharing is Waived
This clarifies a prior message that appeared in CMS’ April 7, 2020 Special Edition of their Medicare Learning Network Newsletter.
CMS now waives cost-sharing (coinsurance and deductible amounts) under Medicare Part B for Medicare patients for certain COVID-19 testing-related services. Previously, CMS made available the CS modifier for the gulf oil spill in 2010; however, CMS recently repurposed the CS modifier for COVID-19 purposes. Now, for services furnished on March 18, 2020, and through the end of the Public Health Emergency, outpatient providers, physicians, and other providers and suppliers that bill Medicare for Part B services under specific payment systems outlined in the April 7 message should use the CS modifier on applicable claim lines to identify the service as subject to the cost-sharing wavier for COVID-19 testing-related services and to get 100% of the Medicare-approved amount. Additionally, they should NOT charge Medicare patients any co-insurance and/or deductible amounts for those services.
Medicare FFS Claims: 2% Payment Adjustment Suspended (Sequestration)
Section 3709 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act temporarily suspends the 2% payment adjustment currently applied to all Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims due to sequestration. The suspension is effective for claims with dates of service from May 1 through December 31, 2020.
You can subscribe to CMS’ MLN Connects here.
Contact the experts at Kentucky REC for all your questions. We’re here to help: 859-323-3090.
