February 2002 NC Medicaid Bulletin image

In This Issue..
All Providers: Community Alternatives Program Providers: Durable Medical Equipment Providers: Hospice Providers: Personal Care Services Providers:

Attention:  Durable Medical Equipment Providers

Discontinuation of HCPCS Codes K0008 and K0013

Effective with date of service February 1, 2002, HCPCS codes K0008, custom manual wheelchair base, and K0013, custom motorized/power wheelchair base, will be discontinued in accordance with national HCPCS changes.  Providers are instructed to select appropriate wheelchair base codes and component codes as listed on the Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule and in compliance with the SADMERC (Statistical Analysis Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier) Product Identification Lists.  These lists are published and periodically updated in the Region C DMERC Medicare Advisory.
 

Melody B. Yeargan, P.T., Medical Policy DMA, 919-857-4020

Attention:  All Providers

Termination of Inactive Medicaid Provider Numbers

In May 2002, the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) will begin terminating certain Medicaid provider numbers that do not reflect any billing activity within the previous 12 months.  This activity is necessary to reduce the risk of fraud and unscrupulous claims billing.Providers will be notified by mail of DMA's intent to terminate their inactive number and will have two weeks to respond if they wish to request that their number not be terminated.  These notices will be sent to the current mailing address listed in the provider's file.  Refer to the October 2001 general Medicaid bulletin for instructions on reporting an address change.Once terminated, providers will be subject to the full re-enrollment process and could experience a period of ineligibility as a Medicaid provider.This termination activity will continue on a quarterly basis with provider notices being mailed April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1 of each year and the termination dates being effective May 1, August 1, November 1, and February 1.

Demetrae Creech, Provider Services
DMA, 919-857-4017

Attention:  Community Alternatives Program Providers

Reimbursement Rate Increase for Community Alternatives Program Services

Effective with date of service January 1, 2002, the Medicaid maximum reimbursement rate for the following Community Alternatives Program (CAP) services increased.
Procedure Code Description Maximum Reimbursement Rate
W8111  CAP-MR/DD Personal Care $  3.48/15-minute unit 
W8116  CAP/DA Respite Care In-Home 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8119  CAP-MR/DD Respite Care Community Based 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8141  CAP/DA In-Home Aide Level II 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8142  CAP/DA In-Home Aide Level III-Personal Care 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8143  CAP/C Personal Care 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8144  CAP-MR/DD In-Home Aide Level I 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8145  CAP/C Respite Care In-Home 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8167  CAP/AIDS Respite Care-In-Home Aide Level 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8172  CAP/AIDS In-Home Aide II 3.48/15-minute unit 
W8173  CAP/AIDS In-Home Aide III-Personal Care 3.48/15-minute unit 

Providers must bill their usual and customary charges.  Adjustments will not be made to previously processed claims.  Contact the EDS Provider Services Unit for detailed billing instructions.
 

EDS, 1-800-688-6696 or 919-851-8888

Attention:  All Providers

Routine Newborn Circumcision Coverage Policy

The N.C. General Assembly has reinstated Medicaid coverage of routine newborn circumcision.  Claims with dates of service on and after November 2001 that denied with EOB 082 should be resubmitted for processing as a new claim.In accordance with the North Carolina Administrative Code at 10 NCAC 26K.0106, should a provider bill Medicaid for services previously paid by a Medicaid recipient, the provider shall refund to the patient all money paid by the patient for the services covered by Medicaid with the exception of any third party payments or cost sharing amounts as described in 10 NCAC 26C.0103.
 

EDS, 1-800-688-6696 or 919-851-8888

 Attention:  All Providers

Corrected 1099 Requests - Action Required by March 1, 2002

Providers receiving Medicaid payments of more than $600 annually receive a 1099 MISC tax form from EDS.  The 1099 MISC tax form is generated as required by IRS guidelines.  It will be mailed to each provider no later than January 31, 2002.  The 1099 MISC tax form will reflect the tax information on file with Medicaid as of the last Medicaid checkwrite cycle date, December 27, 2001.If the tax name or tax identification number on the annual 1099 MISC you receive is incorrect, a correction to the 1099 MISC must be requested.  This ensures that accurate tax information is on file with Medicaid and sent to the IRS annually.  When the IRS receives incorrect information on your 1099 MISC, it may require backup withholding in the amount of 30.5 percent of future Medicaid payments.  The IRS could require EDS to initiate and continue this withholding to obtain correct tax data.A correction to the original 1099 MISC must be submitted to EDS by March 1, 2002 and must be accompanied by the following documentation: Fax both documents to 919-816-4399, Attention: Corrected 1099 Request - Financial

Or

Mail both documents to:

EDS
P.O. Box 300011
Raleigh, NC 27622
Attention: Corrected 1099 Request - Financial

A copy of the corrected 1099 MISC will be mailed to you for your records.  All corrected 1099 MISC requests will be reported to the IRS.  In some cases, additional information may be required to ensure that the tax information on file with Medicaid is accurate. Providers will be notified by mail of any additional action that may be required to complete the correction to their tax information.
 

EDS, 1-800-688-6696 or 919-851-8888

Attention:  Hospice Providers

Reimbursement Rate Increase for Hospice Services - Correction to Article in January 2002 General Medicaid Bulletin

The following article published in the January 2002 general Medicaid bulletin is being reprinted with the correct rate information listed in the table below.Effective with date of service January 1, 2002, the maximum allowable rate for the following hospice services increased.  The hospice rates are as follows:
    Routine Home Care Continuous Home Care Inpatient Respite Care General Inpatient Care Hospice Intermediate R & B Hospice Skilled 
R & B
Metropolitan Statistical Area SC RC 651
Daily 		RC 652
Hourly
(1) 		RC 655
Daily
(2) (3) (4) 		RC 656
Daily
(3) (4) 		RC 658
Daily
(5) 		RC 659
Daily 
(5)
Asheville 39 $ 111.56  $  27.11  $ 121.09  $ 495.34  $  96.80  $ 128.77 
Charlotte 41 110.55  26.86  120.22  491.16  96.80  128.77 
Fayetteville 42 104.60  25.41  115.12  466.51  96.80  128.77 
Greensboro/Winston-Salem/
High Point		 43 108.45  26.35  118.42  482.45  96.80  128.77 
Hickory 44 107.45  26.11  117.57  478.33  96.80  128.77 
Jacksonville 45 97.49  23.69  109.04  437.11  96.80  128.77 
Raleigh/Durham 46 112.61  27.36  121.99  499.68  96.80  128.77 
Wilmington 47 110.64  26.88  120.30  491.54  96.80  128.77 
Rural 53 102.86  24.99  113.64  459.34  96.80  128.77 
Goldsboro 105 102.72  24.96  113.51  458.74  96.80  128.77 
Greenville 106 110.49  26.85  120.17  490.91  96.80  128.77 
NorfolkCurrituck County 107 102.63  24.94  113.44  458.37  96.80  128.77 
Rocky Mount 108 106.17  25.80  116.47  473.02  96.80  128.77 

Note:  Providers must bill their usual and customary charges.  Adjustments will not be made to previously processed claims.

Key to Hospice Rate Table:

SC = Specialty Code
RC = Revenue Code

  1. A minimum of eight hours of continuous home care per day must be provided.
  2. There is a maximum of five consecutive days including the date of admission but not the date of discharge for inpatient respite care.  Bill for the sixth and any subsequent days at the routine home care rate
  3. Payments to a hospice for inpatient care are limited in relation to all Medicaid payments to the agency for hospice care.  During the 12-month period beginning November 1 of each year and ending October 31, the aggregate number of inpatient respite and general inpatient days may not exceed 20 percent of the aggregate total number of days of hospice care provided during the same time period for all the hospice's Medicaid patients.  Hospice care provided for patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is excluded in calculating the inpatient care limit.  The hospice refunds any overpayments to Medicaid.
  4. Date of Discharge:  For the day of discharge from an inpatient unit, the appropriate home care rate must be billed instead of the inpatient care rate unless the recipient expires while an inpatient.  When the recipient is discharged as deceased, the inpatient rate (general or respite) is billed for the discharge date.
  5. When a Medicare/Medicaid recipient is in a nursing facility, Medicare is billed for routine or continuous home care, as appropriate, and Medicaid is billed for the appropriate long-term care rate.  When a Medicaid only hospice recipient is in a nursing facility, the hospice may bill for the appropriate long-term care (SNF/ICF) rate in addition to the home care rate provided in revenue code 651 or 652.  See section 8.15.1, page 8-12, of the N.C. Medicaid Community Care Manual for details.
 
Debbie Barnes, Financial OperationsDMA, 919-857-4015

Attention:  Personal Care Providers (excluding Adult Care Homes)

Reimbursement Rate Increase for Personal Care Services

Effective with date of service January 1, 2002, the Medicaid maximum reimbursement rate for personal care service is $3.48 per 15-minute unit ($13.92 per hour).The provider's usual and customary charges must be shown in form locator 47 on each UB-92 claim form filed.  Public providers with nominal charges that are less than 50 percent of cost should report the cost of the service in form locator 47.  Reimbursement will be based on the lower of the billed charges or the maximum allowable rate.Providers must bill their usual and customary charges.  Adjustments will not be made to previously processed claims.

Debbie Barnes, Financial Operations
DMA, 919-857-4015

Attention:  All Providers

Basic Medicaid Seminars

Basic Medicaid seminars are scheduled for April 2002.  The March general Medicaid bulletin will have the registration form with dates and site locations for the seminars.  Please list any issues you would like addressed at the seminars.

Return Basic Medicaid Seminar Issues form to:

Provider Services
EDS P.O. Box 300009
Raleigh, NC  27622
 

EDS, 1-800-688-6696 or 919-851-8888

Attention:  Personal Care Services Providers (excluding Adult Care Home Providers)

Personal Care Services Seminar Schedule

The seminars scheduled for March 2002 are canceled. Please see the March 2002 general Medicaid bulletin for more information.

Directions to the Personal Care Services Seminars

The seminars scheduled for March 2002 are canceled. Please see the March 2002 general Medicaid bulletin for more information.

Checkwrite Schedule

February 12, 2002 March 5, 2002 April 9, 2002
February 19, 2002 March 12, 2002 April 16, 2002
February 27, 2002 March 19, 2002 April 25, 2002
  March 28, 2002  

Electronic Cut-Off Schedule

February 8, 2002 March 1, 2002 April 5, 2002
February 15, 2002 March 8, 2002 April 12, 2002
February 22, 2002 March 15, 2002 April 19, 2002
  March 22, 2002  

Electronic claims must be transmitted and completed by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date to be included in the next checkwrite. Any claims transmitted after 5:00 p.m. will be processed on the second checkwrite following the transmission date.

 
 
______________________ _______________________
Nina M. Yeager, Director Ricky Pope
Division of Medical Assitance Executive Director
Department of Health and Human Services  EDS

 
 
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