CMS Holds Open Door Forum to Address Recent Changes to the Medicare Part B Payment Policy Following the Denial of a Part A Inpatient Hospital Claim

On April 2, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held an Open Door Forum to discuss CMS’s Administrator’s Ruling (CMS-1455-R) and Proposed Rule (CMS-1455-P) that provide for significant changes to Medicare’s Part B payment policy when a Part A hospital inpatient claim is denied as not medically necessary because the care was not provided in the appropriate setting.

During this Forum, CMS Representatives advised that hospitals do not have to wait until CMS’s Change Request 8185 implementation date of July 1, 2013 to rebill Part B for Part A inpatient claims denied as not reasonable and necessary pursuant to the interim ruling. CMS Representatives stated that additional instructions for rebilling Part B claims will be released shortly and should be similar to those found in the now defunct Part A to Part B Rebilling Demonstration Program. CMS representatives also confirmed that the interim ruling does not apply to Medicare Advantage.

For those unable to attend the Open Door Forum, a recording of the Forum is available by phone beginning at 5:00 pm on April 2, 2013. To access the recording, dial 1-855-859-2056 and reference conference ID: 78861443. The recording expires after two business days. If you have questions regarding these recent developments or questions about the Medicare appeals process, please contact an experienced health care attorney at Wachler & Associates at 248-544-0888.