Category: #Medicareadvantage

Posted in #aetna, #Medicareadvantage, #reimbursement, Payers and CPT reinbursement

Aetna: reimbursement update ventral hernia

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

This change will apply to the dates of service on 4/1/26 and thereafter.

The plans that ate affected are commercial and Medicare.

Bundled payments:

The following codes will no longer be reimbursed separately-15374 and 49649, when billed with the following codes: venrtal hernia

Less than 3 cm- 49591 to 49594 and 49613 to 49616

3cm  to 10 cm- same codes.

For Washington members/plans-fpr commercial plans- the effective date will be given following a regulatory review.

For Texas- for fully ensured plans- this will be only if such changes comply with regulatory requirenments. For all other plan types are affected by this change

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Posted in #Medicareadvantage, #reimbursement, #unitedhealthcare, Payer Updates, Prior Authorization Insurance Carrier Updates

UHC Medicare Advantage Plans: DME changes in certain States

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

For any DOS April 1st 2026 and thereafter the new company that will manage DME ordering and fulfillment will be Synergy Health.

This change will apply to Medicare Advantage Plans in certain states:

Individual HMO and PPO plans:

Via UHC website

Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNP)

Via UHC website

Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP):

  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • West Virginia

DME providers would need to join Synapse Health network. Synapse will contact you, however you can also reach out to them via email: JoinOurNetwork@synapsehealth.com

To which DMEs does this change apply?

  • Diabetic supplies
  • Enteral
  • Home ambulatory
  • Hospital beds
  • Insulin therapy
  • Mobility aids 
  • Negative pressure wound therapy
  • Ostomy
  • Oxygen
  • Respiratory
  • Respiratory vest
  • Sleep
  • Urological
  • Ventilators
  • Wheelchairs

The DMEs that this change does not apply to?

  • Bone growth stimulators
  • Cancer treatment
  • Cardiac defibrillators
  • Complex rehab
  • Optune device
  • Oral devices
  • Orthotics
  • Parenteral nutrition, vision, and hearing
  • Prosthetics

Authorizations:

Providers would need to request an auth from Synapse Health for DOS of April 1st 2026 and there after, via their portal https://connect.synapsehealth.com/authorization/login

As a provider you can also go on their web to request a personalized training http://www.synapsehealth.com/welcome

Which plans are no affected by this change? Medicare Advantage-

Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP)
Institutional Equivalent Special Needs Plans (IE-SNPs) 
Group retiree plans

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Posted in #aetna, #Medicareadvantage, #reimbursement, NY Providers, Prior Authorization Insurance Carrier Updates, Training

Aetna Medicare Advantage: reminder- certain post acute, skilled nursing and home health require pre- approval

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

This change applies to the providers located in the following states:

NJ, NY, PA, VW

The pre-apporoval applies to some post-acute , skilled nursing, and home health services.

The following HCPCS are affected:

  • G0151: Services performed by a qualified physical therapist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes.
  • G0153: Services performed by a qualified speech-language pathologist in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes.
  • G0155: Services of a clinical social worker in home health or hospice settings, each 15 minutes. 
  • All the codes until G0162

As well as the following codes:

G0299- Direct skilled nursing services of a Registered Nurse (RN) in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes.

G0300-Direct skilled nursing services of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the home health or hospice setting, each 15 minutes.

G0463- Skilled services by a Registered Nurse (RN) for observing and assessing a patient’s condition.

G0496- Skilled services by a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for training or educating a patient or family member.

Inpatient Revenue code:

128- daily medical management, skilled rehab services, and regular physician (MD/NP/PA) oversight for intensive rehab patients

Skilled Nursing levels: 1,2,3,4.

Pre-auth process:

1. Go to EviCore.

2.Call 1-888-622-7329 during normal business hours.

3.Fax a request form to 866-705-3574 (Aetna Home Health), 855-633-8631 (AETNA PAC Initial) or 877- 502-0810 (AETNA PAC Concurrent)

For any urgent requess, when  member requires services in less than 48 hours, please call eviCore.

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