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Avoid Denials On Disaster Related Medical Billing Claims

Avoid Denials On Disaster Related Medical Billing Claims

Published by: Melissa Clark, CCS-P on November 4, 2005

Avoid Denials On Disaster Related Medical Billing Claims

Natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina have made it quite apparent that medical billing should reflect these disasters. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a new condition code and a new modifier to reflect treatment for disaster related patients. These medical billing codes should have gone into effect on October 3, but no later then October 31.

The two new disaster related medical billing codes are quite necessary now-a-days. This country has seen countless hurricanes, September 11, fires, etc. The new condition code that will be used in medical billing is DR. This stands for disaster related. The new medical billing modifier is CR (Catastrophic/disaster related). Any institution can use either one of these codes, no matter what the location of the facility is.

There is one exception to this rule. Suppliers and physicians should only use the medical billing CR modifier. They should not use the condition code DR. The condition code, DR, should only be used for intermediary billing.

Situations in our country are constantly changing. Our medical billing codes need to reflect the changing medical care and global situation. The introduction of the two new codes is a perfect example of medical billing adaptation. Not only do the codes need to adapt to changing needs, but your practice needs to adapt as well. It is important to make it a priority to use these new medical billing codes whenever appropriate. Failure to do so could lead to incorrect payment or nonpayment.

Be sure your medical billing personnel are properly trained on the new policies and procedures. Constant changes will keep them on their toes. Be assured that these disaster related medical billing changes may be the first of their kind, but they will definitely not be the last.

Published by: on November 4, 2005

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