CMS LIFTS FREEZE ON 10-DAY CLAIMS PAYMENTS
CMS just released the following notice announcing its intention to stop the 10-day hold on physicians' Medicare claims in light of last night's legislative action to extend current Medicare payment rates through March 31, 2010.
Subject: The "Temporary Extension Act of 2010" Extends the Zero Percent Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Update and the Therapy Cap Exception Process
March 2, 2010, President Obama signed into law the "Temporary Extension Act of 2010." Among other things, this law extends through March 31, 2010, the zero percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that was in effect for claims with dates of service January 1, 2010, through February 28, 2010. Consequently, effective immediately, claims with dates of service March 1 and later which were being held by Medicare contractors will be released for processing and payment. Please keep in mind that the statutory payment floors still apply and, therefore, clean electronic claims cannot be paid before 14 calendar days after the date they are received by Medicare contractors (29 calendar days for clean paper claims). In addition, the new law extends through March 31, 2010, the exception process for therapy claims reaching the annual cap, retroactive to January 1, 2010. Affected providers may submit claims for exceptions to the annual therapy caps, with dates of service January 1 through March 31, 2010, using the KX modifier, following the pre-January 1, 2010, requirements for therapy cap exceptions. Please watch your listserv and contractors website for more information about the new legislation.
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Presidents Message - Ellen J. Braunstein, M.D. |
To paraphrase Charles Dickens: It is the worst of times, it is the best of times...
This is a time of incredible turmoil in Washington and Albany as the economic downturn continues and we struggle for answers. This is a golden opportunity for us to unite together, to make our voices heard by supporting our Medical Society. You will be getting or have gotten a dues statement in the mail. Please pay them promptly.
In the past nine months, we have achieved many hard-fought victories that would not have been possible without your support. Including:
- Medical malpractice premiums – FROZEN
- Ingenix out-of-pocket scheme – EXPOSED AND TOPPLED
- Medicaid fees for primary care – ENHANCED
- Due process in professional discipline – UPHELD and EXPANDED
- $400 increase in physician registration fee – DEFEATED
- Physician procedure surcharge of 9.63% - REJECTED
- Medicaid incentives for e-prescribing – APPROVED
- Plan to eliminate “Provider Prevails” exception in Medicaid drug review program – FAILED
- For-profit HMO’s taxed $107M to contribute to the healthcare system
- $110M appropriated for Health Information Technology
- Funding maintained for Physician Health and other medical society projects
In Washington, government is getting closer to a major health care bill. In Albany, the Legislature is looking to cut its deficit budget by any means possible. Without your support, our input on your behalf will be more difficult than ever to achieve. The gains we've made in the past are not a guarantee for the future. We need every doctor’s support to help move ahead. At this point in the medical community we still have the power to stand firm and push forward. But like with everything, we need support and membership.
We've made it even easier this year too. To join, you can also pay your dues by credit card: Master Card, Visa and American Express. So there’s no reason not to do your part and support your Society by joining us and paying your dues today. I urge all of you to encourage your colleagues to do so as well. For those of you who have already done so, I thank you. Have a very happy and healthy holiday.
Ellen
