Category: Training

Posted in #reimbursement, HealthFirst, NY Providers, Payer Updates, Payers and CPT reinbursement, Training

HealthFirst Telehealth mental health modifier update

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

This update applies to HealthFirst following plan types: Medicaid, Personal Wellness Plan (HARP), and Medicaid Advantage.

Which services are affected?

Telehealth services done through a NY OMH licensed and or designated outpatient program.

Please refer to OMH modifier and rate code chart here.

Image via NYS OMH

To ensure the providers receive proper reimbursement, please make sure you go over payment rate changes and use the proper modifiers:

Modifier FQ- used for outpatient telehealth services, audio-only, for dual enrolled members.

Modofier 93- OMH providers – use this modifier for qualifying telehealth and audio-only mental health services, for members that are only enrolled in Medicaid.

The changes apply to the services performed on or after July 1st 2025.

Find this type of content useful? Follow my blog for more useful payer updates, medical billing, coding and reimbursement updates.

Posted in #aetna, Education, Payer Updates, Payers and CPT reinbursement, Training

AETNA Commercial Plans: compression supplies non covered codes.

Posted on by KR2Medical Billing

Please note that this policy update applies to the members that have commercial plan types.

The affected codes: for any DOS on or after Jan 1st 2026, Aetna will consider the following codes for compression stockings to be a disposable supply and a standard benefit exclusion.

Codes:

For Texas Providers:

These changes apply to fully insured plans written in Texas and only if such changes are in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. Changes for all other plans will be as outlined in this article.

Find this type of content useful? Follow my blog for more payer updates. #medicalbilling #medicalcoding #reimbursement

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.

Find this information useful? Follow my blog for more information about current medical billing, coding and reimbursement policies.