AOPA TOP TEN SERIES
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
2009 AOPA National Assembly
Seattle, Washington
Top Ten Myths in O&P BillingMYTH: Bilateral amputees are not
subject to functional level restrictions
FACT: Bilateral amputees require a functional level assessment Medicare policy states that bilateral amputees are not strictly bound by functional level but medical necessity must still be established
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: Medicare payment rules do not apply to non-assigned claims
FACT: The same payment rules apply to non-assigned claims as assigned claims. Providers have the same level of liability on non-assigned claims
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: Medicare will not pay for a diabetic shoe that is worn over a prosthesis
FACT: Medicare covers a PAIR of diabetic shoes for patients who meet coverage criteria. One of the coverage criteria is a history of amputation of a part of or all of either foot
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: Nobody pays for unlisted procedure codes
FACT: In 2007, Medicare reimbursements for unlisted O&P procedure codes exceeded $1.5 million.
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: Patients cannot have a prosthesis and a power wheelchair/scooter at the same time
FACT: Medical policy for power wheelchairs no longer requires thepatient to be non-ambulatory. Patient should be evaluated to determine the medical nee for theprosthesis only
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: Medicare does not cover liners on preparatory prostheses
FACT: The Lower Limb Prosthesis Medical Policy was revised several years ago to remove this restriction
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: The KX modifier guarantees claim payment
FACT: The KX modifier is used to tell Medicare that required documentation to support the medical necessity of you claim is in your files. It is not a guarantee of payment
Top Ten Myths in O&P BillingMYTH: Medicare never pays for
orthopedic shoes
FACT: Medicare will pay for both custom and off the shelf orthopedic shoes as long as they are an integral part of a brace
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: You may not deliver an O&P device without a detailed written order
FACT: You may deliver an O&P item based on a verbal or non detailed written order. You must have a detailed written order in your files before you may submit your Medicare claim
Top Ten Myths in O&P Billing
MYTH: All Prostheses are exempt from SNF PPS and may be billed directly to the DME MAC
FACT: Only codes that are specifically listed as exempt may be billed to the DME MAC during a Medicare Part A SNF stay. All other codes must be billed to the SNF.
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