Current News

News

09/07/21

NCCI Edits Version 27.3 Effective October 1, 2021

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits, Version 27.3, for dates of service October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021. These NCCI edits are not only used by traditional Medicare, but also by many state Medicaid and Managed Medicaid plans as well as many commercial insurance carriers and workers compensation insurance carriers. As Gawenda Seminars & Consulting (GSC) has done every quarter for their Gold Members, GSC has published their “cheat sheet” for the use of modifier 59 in outpatient therapy under NCCI edit Version 27.3. This “cheat sheet” includes

Read More
05/10/21

UnitedHealthcare Oxford Issues New NCCI Edit Policy

UnitedHealthcare Oxford has published a new reimbursement policy on National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits that is applicable for therapy providers who submit claims on a 1500-claim form. The effective date of this new policy is I hope you found this information helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

Read More
04/17/21

UnitedHealthcare Commercial Reimbursement Policy Updates

Effective with dates of service on or after 9/1/2020, the Outpatient Hospital Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) Editing policy will apply to all network and non-network hospitals. In addition, the policy will apply to all outpatient types of bills that are applicable to these edits. Click HERE to read the announcement straight from UnitedHealthcare.

Read More
02/22/21

NCCI Edit Changes for Aetna, Cigna and Humana

Aetna, Cigna and Humana have all announced changes to their respective policies related to the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits and the payment of a CPT code(s) that has had modifier 59 appended to it on the claim form. These positive changes would not have occurred without the advocacy of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Aetna Aetna has informed Cigna According to Humana Humana has informed I hope you found this article and information helpful. Thank you for being a Gold Member!

Read More
12/11/20

NCCI Edits and Version 27.0

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Procedure-to-Procedure (PTP) edits Version 27.0 that will be effective with dates of service January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021. CMS has deleted several of the NCCI PTP edits that they had reinstated for dates of service October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 that had a negative impact on outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services. NCCI PTP edits that CMS deleted that have an impact on outpatient therapy services include: In addition, CMS deleted the following NCCI PTP edits that impacted therapy

Read More
09/29/20

NCCI Edits: Questions and Answers

On June 15, 2020, I published an article where I answered some of the more common questions I receive regarding the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits as they pertain to outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services. That article led to additional questions that I will provide answers to in this article. QuestionDoes the Medicare program pay for CPT code 97750 (Physical performance test or measurement) on the same day as a physical therapy or occupational therapy evaluation or reevaluation? Answer QuestionDoes the Medicare program pay for CPT code 97755 (Assistive technology assessment) on the same day

Read More
09/08/20

CMS Reinstates Therapy NCCI Edits

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reinstated many of the procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits, known more commonly as the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits, for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy outpatient therapy services that they had deleted earlier this year. The reinstated NCCI edits were published by CMS on September 1, 2020 and become effective with dates of service beginning on October 1, 2020. CPT codes affected include, but are not limited to, the following: Biofeedback codes (CPT codes 90912 and 90913) Speech therapy evaluations (CPT codes 92521-92524) Speech therapy treatment and treatment of dysphagia

Read More
06/15/20

NCCI Edits and Version 26.2

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits to combat improper coding that would then lead to inappropriate payment in Medicare Part B claims. CMS owns the NCCI program and is responsible for all decisions regarding its contents. Capital Bridge, LLC is CMS’ contractor for the NCCI. In this article, I will answer some of the more common questions I receive concerning NCCI edits. In addition, I will be presenting a webinar on June 24, 2020 titled “Understanding NCCI Edits & Modifier 59: Version 26.2“. This webinar will provide participants with information on

Read More