Posted in #reimbursement, 1199 SEIU Benefits Fund, Education, NY Providers, Payer Updates

NYS Medicaid: Bariatric Surgery Medical Policy Update

Do you accept NYS Medicaid or Managed Medicaid Plan members? Then this blog post is for you!


Non surgical treatment should be attempted: ex. diet and increased exercise.


Bariatric Surgery Adult Patient: 18 years old and over

  1. BMI index 35 kg/m or greater OR
  2. BMI index 30-34.9 kg/m and a serious weight-related health problem (ex. High blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or severe sleep apnea)

Image via Dreamstime.com

Pediatric patients: 18 years and older – patients that are deemed physically, mentally, and emotionally mature by a team of various providers ex. Pediatric provider, bariatric surgeon, and or other specialty providers.

  1. BMI- more and equal to 35 kg/m or more than 120% of 95th percentile of age and sex, whichever is lower AND with a weight-related health problem: ex. diabetes type 2, obstructive apnea – index or Reapiratory Disturbance Index greater than 5, Blount disease, non alcoholic steatohepatitis, slipped capital femoral epiphanies, GERD, hypertension, insulin resistance; or depressed health-related quality of life
  2. BMI greater than 40 kg/m or greater than 140% of the 95th percentile of age and sex, whichever is lower

Coding:

Most common codes that related to Bariatric Surgery

43644Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

43775: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

43770: Laparoscopic placement of an adjustable gastric band


43645: Laparoscopic malabsorptive procedure (e.g., [[Mini-gastric bypass|Mini-gastric bypass]]).

43848: Revision of a gastric restrictive procedure (open). 


NYS Medicaid coding and fee resources:

1. Physician Fee schedule- https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.emedny.org%2FProviderManuals%2FPhysician%2FPDFS%2FPhysician_Manual_Fee_Schedule_Sect5.xls&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

2. Provider Manual- https://www.emedny.org/ProviderManuals/Physician/PDFS/Physician%20Procedure%20Codes%20Sect5.pdf


Find this information usefu Follow my blog for more information. #medicalcoding #medicalbilling #payerupdates

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

UHC Knee/Hip Surgery documentation requirenments.

Effective for services performed on Nov 1,2024 and there after, there will be new requirements for the prior authorization documentation applied to the Knee/Hip surgeries.


These changes/updates apply to self insured and fully insured plans nationwide.


Codes affected:

27445,27447, 27130 and 27132 

Knee Surgery Documentstion requirenments:

  1. Complete diagnostic imaging Reports: -Documented closure of skeletal plates (age less than 18 years)
    -Presence or absence of focal full-thickness articular cartilage defect
    -Size and location of focal cartilage defect
    -Outerbridge grade
    -Joint space and alignment
    -Ligament tear location and grade
  2. Diagnostic Images: – show the abnormality- MRI, Xray, Bone scan.
  3. Prior treatment documentation (prior year): -NSAIDs or acetaminophen ≥ 3 weeks*
    -PT or home exercise ≥ 12 weeks
    -Activity modification ≥ 12 weeks

*For TJR Knee ≥ 1 intra-articular corticosteroid injection may be used in place of NSAIDs.


For more information please click visit: https://www.uhcprovider.com/en/resource-library/news/2024/documentation-requirement-updates-total-joint-replacements.html


Find this content helpful? Follow my blog for most recent updates in healthcare.

#medicalpolicies, #reimbursement, #medicalcoding, #medicalbilling


Posted in #reimbursement, BCBS Empire NY, NY Providers, Training

Anthem BCBS (NY providers): PA/NP reimbursement

According to Anthem BCBS (NY) starting for any DOS 11/1/24- the PA/NP will be updated to align with CMS guidelines.

Please note the following services will be eligible to be performed by the PAs/NPs and reimbursement reduction will apply:

– Preventative care services

-Radiology services


Services that are not going to be reimbursed separately:

-Drugs

-Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS)

-Laboratory Services and Laboratory Screening Services


Billing: PA/NP has to bill with their own TIN and NPI number.

For the full policy please click here:https://www.anthembluecross.com/provider/policies/reimbursement/


CMS payment for NP/PA services:

-NP services: 85% of Physician Fee for outside of hospital setting or SNF, or 80% of lesser billed charge

-NP services : incident to services done by auxiliary personnel outside hospital or SNF setting – 85% of Physician Fee Schedule

CMS link: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-schedules/physician-fee-schedule/advanced-practice-nonphysician-practitioners/advanced-practice-registered-nurses-aprns


-PA services: 85% of PFS- physician fee schedule.

CMS link: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-schedules/physician-fee-schedule/advanced-practice-nonphysician-practitioners/physician-assistants-pas


Find this type of content useful? Follow my blog for more healthcare content.