Medicare’s Advanced Beneficiary Notice
This article was submitted to The LINK.
Medicare has very specific rules when it comes to their beneficiaries being made aware of their financial responsibility. I find that many physician staff members are confused about how and when the Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) is to be used.
Medicare has identified certain codes that have ‘limited [...]
Medicare’s Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Benefit
This article was submitted to The LINK.
Over 400,000 smokers die each year from smoke related diseases. About 300,000 of those are Medicare patients age 65 and older. Research shows that about 10% of the total program costs for Medicare for 1997 were related to smoking. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that quitting [...]
PET Scan Coverage is Expanding
This article appeared in the August 2003 issue of The LINK.
Codes recognized by Medicare are:
G0296 (new code): “PET imaging, full and partial ring PET scanner only, for restaging of previously treated thyroid cancer of follicular cell origin following negative I-131 whole body scan.” This one is covered for recurrent or residual thyroid cancer [...]
Skilled Nursing Facility Vs. Nursing Facility… What is the Difference?
This article appeared in the December 2001 issue of The LINK.
Are you confused about the different types of nursing facilities? Medicare says the differences between the two are slight. The benefit seems to be the key here. Skilled nursing facilities (Place of Service code 31) patient stays are paid by Medicare Part [...]