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January 2007 Medicare Bulletin - North Carolina Insert

Posted January 5, 2007


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2007 North Carolina Ambulance Fee Schedule

CODE URBAN RATE RURAL RATE
A0425 $6.25 $6.25
A0426 $220.57 $220.57
A0427 $349.23 $349.23
A0428 $183.80 $183.80
A0429 $294.09 $294.09
A0430 $2,535.52 $3,803.28
A0431 $2,947.92 $4,421.87
A0432 $321.66 $321.66
A0433 $505.46 $505.46
A0434 $597.37 $597.37
A0435 $7.49 $11.24
A0436 $19.96 $29.94

 

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2007 Chiropractic Fee Schedule – North Carolina

Code PAR F/S NON PAR F/S Limiting Charge
98940 23.43 22.26 25.60
# 98940 19.59 18.61 21.40
98941 32.35 30.73 35.34
# 98941 28.16 26.75 30.76
98942 42.62 40.49 46.56
# 98942 38.07 36.17 41.60
98943 NC NC NC

# These amounts apply when service is performed in a facility setting.

Limiting charge applies to unassigned claims by non-participating providers.

NC indicates that the service is non-covered by Medicare.

© All Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and descriptors are copyrighted by the American Medical
Association.

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2007 North Carolina Medicare Clinical Social Worker Fee Schedule

Procedure Code Non-Facility Fee Facility Fee
90801AJ $105.46 $94.97
90802AJ $111.83 $101.87
* 90804AJ $44.88 $40.43
* 90806AJ $65.48 $62.07
* 90808AJ $97.05 $93.38
* 90810AJ $47.90 $44.50
* 90812AJ $70.68 $65.96
* 90814AJ $101.99 $98.06
* 90816AJ $43.64 $43.64
* 90818AJ $65.54 $65.54
* 90821AJ $97.40 $97.40
* 90823AJ $47.00 $47.00
* 90826AJ $69.64 $69.64
* 90828AJ $101.01 $101.01
* 90845AJ $60.37 $59.32
*# 90846AJ $63.86 $63.34
*# 90847AJ $78.42 $75.54
*# 90849AJ $22.76 $21.45
* 90853AJ $22.06 $21.01
* 90857AJ $24.50 $22.67
* 90880AJ $81.00 $73.14
96102AJ $33.94 $16.90
96103AJ $26.27 $17.36
96105AJ $51.18 $51.18
96110AJ $7.94 $7.94
96111AJ $94.89 $93.84
96119AJ $47.29 $21.61
96120AJ $40.69 $17.36

* The procedure code is subject to the 62.5% outpatient psychiatric payment limitation (i.e., the allowed amount is reduced to 62.5% of the allowable amount).

# The procedure code has a restricted coverage status. Documentation must be included in order to review for coverage.

© All Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and descriptors are copyrighted by the American Medical Association.

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2007 North Carolina Medicare Clinical Psychologist Fee Schedule

Procedure Code Non Facility Fee Facility Fee
90801AH $140.61 $126.63
90802AH $149.10 $135.82
* 90804AH $59.84 $53.90
* 90806AH $87.31 $82.76
* 90808AH $129.40 $124.51
* 90810AH $63.87 $59.33
* 90812AH $94.24 $87.95
* 90814AH $135.99 $130.74
* 90816AH $58.19 $58.19
* 90818AH $87.39 $87.39
* 90821AH $129.87 $129.87
* 90823AH $62.67 $62.67
* 90826AH $92.85 $92.85
* 90828AH $134.68 $134.68
* 90845AH $80.49 $79.09
*# 90846AH $85.15 $84.45
*# 90847AH $104.56 $100.72
*# 90849AH $30.35 $28.60
* 90853AH $29.41 $28.01
* 90857AH $32.67 $30.23
* 90880AH $108.00 $97.52
96101AH $84.75 $84.05
96102AH $45.25 $22.53
96103AH $35.03 $23.15
96105AH $68.24 $68.24
96110AH $10.59 $10.59
96111AH $126.52 $125.12
96116AH $94.14 $88.20
96118AH $111.26 $87.15
96119AH $63.05 $28.81
96120AH $54.25 $23.15

* The procedure code is subject to the 62.5% outpatient psychiatric payment limitation (i.e., the allowed amount is reduced to 62.5% of the allowable amount).

# The procedure code has a restricted coverage status. Documentation must be included in order to review for coverage.

© All Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and descriptors are copyrighted by the American Medical Association.

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North Carolina’s ASC Facility Adjusted Rate Effective 01/01/2007

The following fees are the Adjusted ASC payment rates for the areas within North Carolina. These amounts were developed by following the instructions to carriers for wage adjusting the standard ASC payment rates. These instructions are in the CMS Manual Systems, Pub 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 14, Section 40.2 (the Internet Only Manuals can be accessed at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/IOM/list.asp).

The standard ASC payment rates are found on the HCPCS ALL list on the CMS Web site at: www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/ama/license.asp?file=/ascpayment/downloads/07asc_hcpcs.zip

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Botox (Type A)

The Medi/Medi Data Project Team for North Carolina recently conducted a study on Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) J0585 (Botox Botulinum Toxin [Type A]). This study included proactive data analysis, several provider onsite audits and interviews involving providers billing Medicare for J0585. This study also included North Carolina providers that specialize in ophthalmology, neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and internal medicine that billed Current Procedural Terminology Code (CPT) J0585 for dates of service in 2004 and 2005; Medicare paid the North Carolina providers a total of $3,573,999 for J0585.

According to LCD for Botulinum Toxin (L13109), for providers to use the injection J0585 for treatment of “migraines,” there should be documentation stating that they have tried at least three (3) other failed trials, (such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants). They should also have documentation that the patients experience headaches that may result in permanent cerebral dysfunction, or who are intractable because they cannot tolerate or do not benefit from standard therapies. For “spastic conditions,” “before consideration of coverage can be made, it should be established that the patient(s) has been unresponsive to conventional methods of treatments such as medication, physical therapy and other appropriate methods used to control and/or treat spastic conditions.” From our review of medical records, it was determined that some providers may not be adhering to this policy. The J0585 is utilized as the initial treatment instead of following the LCD.

Documentation requirements include the following elements:

During the Medi/Medi Data Project Team provider onsite audits, it was determined that providers are performing cosmetic Botox injections. The Social Security Act § 1862 (a)(1)(A) [42 U.S.C. § 1395 Y (a)(1)(A)] states, “[N]o payment may be made under part A or part B…for any expenses incurred for items or services – which…are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.”

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Utilization of Modifier 59 with Regards to Chemotherapy

The Medicare/Medicaid Data Project Team for North Carolina recently completed a medical records review and identified the inappropriate use of modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) in regards to chemotherapy services. The following information details the correct use of the modifier 59 for chemotherapy services.

Chapter 12, Section 30.5 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual identifies billing guidelines for chemotherapy. These guidelines state the following:

If more than one “initial” service code is billed per day, the carrier shall deny the second initial service code unless the patient has to come back for a separately identifiable service on the same day or has two IV lines per protocol. For these separately identifiable services, instruct the physician to report with modifier 59.

The CPT includes a code for a concurrent infusion in addition to an intravenous infusion for therapy, prophylaxis or diagnosis. Allow only one concurrent infusion per patient per encounter. Do not allow payment for the concurrent infusion billed with modifier 59 unless it is provided during a second encounter on the same day with the patient and is documented in the medical record.

For more information regarding appropriate chemotherapy billing guidelines, please reference the following resource: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/downloads/clm104c12.pdf

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North Carolina– 2007 OPPS Payment Cap Amounts For The TC And Global Portion Of Imaging Services

North Carolina– 2007 OPPS Payment Cap Amounts For The TC And Global Portion Of Imaging Services

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North Carolina Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)

Designated Geographic Areas


COUNTY AREA NAME/PARTS RURAL/URBAN
Beaufort Tideland
  • Beaufort
Rural
Bertie Roanoke-Chowan
  • Bertie
Rural
Bladen Southeast Regional MHCA
  • Blanden
Rural
Brunswick Brunswick Rural
Caldwell Caldwell Urban
Camden Albermarle
  • Camden
Rural
Cherokee2

Smokey Mountain MHCA

Cherokee

Rural
Chowan Albermarle
  • Chowan
  • Smokey Mountain
Rural
Clay2

Smokey Mountain MHCA

Clay

Rural
Columbus Southeast Regional
  • Columbus
Rural
Currituck Albermarle
  • Currituck
Rural
Dare Albermarle
  • Dare
Rural
Duplin Duplin-Sampson
  • Duplin
Rural
Gates Roanoke-Chowan
  • Gates
Rural
Graham

Smokye Mountain MHCA

  • Graham
Rural
Halifax Halifax MHCA
  • Halifax
Rural
Haywood2

Smokey Mountain MHCA

Haywood

Rural
Hertford Roanoke-Chowan
  • Hertford
Rural
Hyde Tideland
  • Hyde
Rural
Jackson2

Smokey Mountain MHCA

Jackson

Rural
Macon2

Smokey Mountain MHCA

  • Macon
Rural
Madison1 Madison

Martin

Tideland

  • Martin
Rural
Northampton

Roanoke-Chowan

  • Nothampton
Rural
Pasquotank

Albermarie

  • Pasquotank
Rural
Pender3 Pender Rural
Perquimans

Albermarle

  • Perquimans
Rural
Robeson

Southeast Regional

  • Robeson
Rural
Sampson

Duplin-Sampson

  • Sampson
Rural
Scotland

Southeast Regional

  • Scotland
Rural
Surry

Surry-Yadkin

  • Surry
  • Smokey Mountain
Rural
Swain2

Smokey Mountain MHCA

Swain

Rural
Tyrrell

Tideland

  • Tyrell
Rural
Washington

Tideland

  • Washington
Rural
Yadkin

Surry-Yadkin

  • Yadkin
Rural

1 Classified as a Mental Health HPSA, Effective February 2, 2005

2 Classified as a Mental Health HPSA, Effective June 30, 2005

3Classified as a Mental Health HPSA, Effective September 8, 2006 

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North Carolina Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)

Designated Geographic Areas


COUNTY AREA NAME/PARTS RURAL/URBAN
Alexander All Urban
Anson All Rural
Beaufort Bayboro - Aurora
  • Richland Twp.
Belhaven - Swan Quarter
  • Bath Twp., Pantego Twp
Rural
Bertie All Rural
Bladen1 All Rural
Caldwell Western Caldwell -
  • Globe Twp., Johns River Twp., Mulberry Twp., Patterson Twp., Wilson Creek Twp.,
Rural
Carteret5 Eastern Cateret -
  • Atlantic Twp., Cedar Island Twp., Davis Twp., Harkers Islands Twp., Marshallberg Twp., Merrimon Twp., Portsmouth Twp., Sea Level Twp., Smyrna Twp., Stacy Twp., Strait Twp.
Rural
Caswell All Rural
Cherokee3 Andrews Area, Valley Town Twp. Rural
Clay All Rural
Columbus All Rural
Currituck All Urban
Dare Hatteras - Ocracoke SA
  • Hatteras Twp., Kinnakeet Twp.
Rural
Edgecombe4 All Urban
Franklin All Urban
Gates All Rural
Graham All Rural
Greene2 All Rural
Guilford Inner City Greensboro -
  • Census Tracts 101, 107.02, 108.01, 110, 111.01, 112, 113, 114, 115
Urban
Hoke All Rural
Hyde Belhaven-Swan Quarter
  • Currituck Twp., Fairfield Twp., Lake Landing Twp., Lake Mattamuskeet Unorg., Swan Quarter Twp.
Hatteras-Ocracoke
  • Ocracoke Twp.
Rural
Lenoir East Kinston -
  • Census Tracts 101-105, 107
Urban
Macon1 Franklin -
  • Burningtown Twp., Cartoogechaye Twp., Cowee Twp., Ellijay Twp., Flats Twp., Franklin Twp., Millshoal Twp., Nantahala Twp., Smiths Bridge Twp.
Rural
Mecklenburg Central Charlotte -
  • Census Tracts 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 36, 37, 38.98, 39.01, 39.02, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 51.01, 52
Urban
Montgomery1 All Rural
Northampton All Rural
Pamlico

Bayboro - Aurora

  • Pamlico
Rural
Pender All Rural
Person All Rural
Randolph All Urban
Robeson All Rural
Stokes Danbury -
  • Census Tracts 701, 702, and 703
Urban
Tyrrell All Rural
Warren All Rural
Washington All Rural

1 No longer classified as a HPSA, effective August 1, 2002.
2 Classifed as a HPSA, effective June 1, 2004.
3 No longer classified as a HPSA, effective December 1, 2004.
4No longer classified as a HPSA, effective September 8, 2006

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