Article - Billing and Coding: Laser Ablation of the Prostate (A56467)

CMS National Coverage PolicyN/AArticle TextThis article gives guidance for billing, coding, and other guidelines in relation to local coverage policy L34090-Laser Ablation of the Prostate.The patient's medical record must contain documentation that fully supports the medical necessity for services included within this LCDL34090-Laser Ablation of the Prostate.(See "Indications and Limitations of Coverage.") This documentation includes, but is not limited to, relevant medical history, physical examination, and results of pertinent diagnostic tests or procedures.The medical record/progress notes must document the duration of BPH, AUA symptoms index, and the urodynamics studies and/or post-void residual volume results if performed.Each claim must be submitted with ICD-10-CM codes that reflect the condition of the patient, and indicate the reason(s) for which the service was performed. Claims submitted without ICD-10-CM codes will be returned.Documentation must be available to Medicare upon request.General Guidelines for Claims submitted to Part A or Part B MAC:Procedure codes may be subject to National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits or OPPS packaging edits. Refer to NCCI and OPPS requirements prior to billing Medicare. For services requiring a referring/ordering physician, the name and NPI of the referring/ordering physician must be reported on the claim. A claim submitted without a valid ICD-10-CM diagnosis code will be returned to the provider as an incomplete claim under Section 1833(e) of the Social Security Act. The diagnosis code(s) must best describe the patient's condition for which the service was performed. For diagnostic tests, report the result of the test if known; otherwise the symptoms prompting the performance of the test should be reported.Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) Modifier GuidelinesAn ABN may be used for services which are likely to be non-covered, whether for medical necessity or for other reasons. Refer to CMS Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 30, for complete instructions.Effective from April 1, 2010, non-covered services should be billed with modifier GA, -GX, -GY, or GZ, as appropriate.The GA modifier (Waiver of Liability Statement Issued as Required by Payer Policy) should be used when physicians, practitioners, or suppliers want to indicate that they anticipate that Medicare will deny a specific service as not reasonable and necessary and they do have an ABN signed by the beneficiary on file. Modifier GA applies only when services will be denied under reasonable and necessary provisions, sections 1862(a)(1), 1862(a)(9), 1879(e), or 1879(g) of the Social Security Act. Effective April 1, 2010, Part A MAC systems will automatically deny services billed with modifier GA. An ABN, Form CMS-R-131, should be signed by the beneficiary to indicate that he/she accepts responsibility for payment. The -GA modifier may also be used on assigned claims when a patient refuses to sign the ABN and the latter is properly witnessed. For claims submitted to the Part A MAC, occurrence code 32 and the date of the ABN is required.Modifier GX (Notice of Liability Issued, Voluntary Under Payer Policy) should be used when the beneficiary has signed an ABN, and a denial is anticipated based on provisions other than medical necessity, such as statutory exclusions of coverage or technical issues. An ABN is not required for these denials, but if non-covered services are reported with modifier GX, will automatically be denied services.The GZ modifier should be used when physicians, practitioners, or suppliers want to indicate that they expect that Medicare will deny an item or service as not reasonable and necessary and they have not had an ABN signed by the beneficiary. If the service is statutorily non-covered, or without a benefit category, submit the appropriate CPT/HCPCS code with the -GY modifier. An ABN is not required for these denials, and the limitation of liability does not apply for beneficiaries. Services with modifier GY will automatically deny.Documentation RequirementsThe patients medical record should include but is not limited to:The assessment of the patient by the ordering provider as it relates to the complaint of the patient for that visit,Relevant medical historyResults of pertinent tests/proceduresSigned and dated office visit record/operative report (Please note that all services ordered or rendered to Medicare beneficiaries must be signed.)Other Comments:For claims submitted to the Part A MAC: This coverage determination also applies within states outside the primary geographic jurisdiction with facilities that have nominated CGS Administrators, LLC to process their claims.Bill type codes only apply to providers who bill these services to the Part A MAC. Bill type codes do not apply to physicians, other professionals and suppliers who bill these services to the carrier or Part B MAC.Limitation of liability and refund requirements apply when denials are based on medical necessity. The provider/supplier must notify the beneficiary in writing, prior to rendering the service, if the provider/supplier is aware that the test, item or procedure may not be considered medically necessary by Medicare. The limitation of liability and refund requirements do not apply when the test, item or procedure is statutorily excluded, has no Medicare benefit category or is rendered for screening purposes.For dates of service on or after April 1, 2010, bill type 77X should be used to report FQHC services.For outpatient settings other than CORFs, references to "physicians" throughout this policy include non-physicians, such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants. Such non-physician practitioners, with certain exceptions, may certify, order and establish the plan of care as authorized by State law. (See Sections 1861[s][2] and 1862[a][14] of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; 42 CFR, Sections 410.74, 410.75, 410.76 and 419.22; 58 FR 18543, April 7, 2000.)