Can I Use the KX Modifier Above $3700?
I am often asked by therapists, office managers, biller’s, billing companies, etc., if the application of the KX modifier is allowed for Medicare beneficiaries who have exceeded $3700 physical and speech therapy combined in a calendar year or a separate $3700 for occupational therapy in a calendar year. Providers of therapy services are under the impression that Medicare beneficiaries have 2 therapy caps, one at $1940 in calendar year 2015 and a second therapy cap at $3700. Providers are also under the impression that once a Medicare beneficiary exceeds $3700, the KX modifier is no longer allowed to be applied to CPT codes on the claim form and that they must have the Medicare beneficiary or their representative sign an advance beneficiary notice of noncoverage even though the treating therapist has determined services are still medically necessary and require the unique skills of a therapist to provide.
Lets make one thing clear. There is only one annual therapy cap and in 2015, it is
The content here is for members only log in here or sign up.
All material posted on our website is the intellectual property of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, Inc. and can’t be used, reproduced, or posted as your own material without the prior written approval of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, Inc.
This article is not intended to and does not serve as legal advice or as consultative services, but is for general information purposes only.
Check Our Past Webinars!
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
If $3700 is not the max, then why is this amount mentioned to begin with?
Because above that amount, you may have a greater risk/chance of being audited.
We were under the impression you needed to have anything above the $3700 approved through our fiscal intermediary PRIOR to the services being provided.
That went away several years ago. There is no preapproval process for outpatient therapy.
I had read somewhere on the site that the exceptions process was expected to change mid-July 2015. Any update on this?
If you are a Gold Member to my website, please go to Current News and read the story posted on April 20, 2015. Here is the direct link to the article.
http://gawendaseminars.com/2015/current-news-posts/medicare-therapy-cap-exception-process/
I have two questions regarding the use of ABN that i would like for you to clarify.
First- Patient’s that are Medicare primary and have a Secondary carrier that will P/U with a denial from Medicare. It is medically necessary to continue care but care will be paid by the secondary. Is it right to use the GA modifier at $1,940.00 and to not use the KX modifier so that Medicare shows patient liability and the secondary will pay as per their plan. Can I use the GA modifier in this instance.
If you feel therapy is medically necessary for the secondary to pay, shouldn’t the therapy then be medically necessary for the Medicare program to pay? If the therapist feels therapy is still medically necessary and requires the unique skills of a therapist to provide and they are above the therapy cap dollar threshold, you would want to use the KX modifier.