Correct Coding Initiatives(CCI)- a must HAVE for Medicare providers

NOTICE:   Version 15.1 of the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits contains over 300,000 new adds. Except for moderate conscious sedation, CMS Anesthesia rules do not allow separate payment for anesthesia services provided by the physician performing a procedure. The NCCI contains edits bundling numerous services into the anesthesia codes 0XXXX based on the services being standard preparation or monitoring services included in anesthesia or the services being component services of anesthesia. Some of these components were bundled into most global surgical procedures.

NTIS is CMS's authorized distributor of CCI codes

• Ensure you are getting the information as provided by CMS by purchasing your correct coding product from NTIS, the authorized distributor .
• Avoid claim denials, delays and audits by keeping current with CMS's correct coding policies.
• NTIS offers a variety of products that show you which codes cannot be used together in your reimbursement claims.
• With more than 300,000 pairs of codes (edit pairs) that cannot be used in the same claim, these correct coding products are a must for all offices involved with Part B Medicare services. All electronic and paper copies also contain the updated:
• Introduction to the Correct Coding Initiative
• General Correct Coding policies
• Policy Narratives that will help you understand the edits
• State by State listing of Medicare Part B Carriers to know who to call with questions

About the current issue:

CMS issues a new manual every three months. Each edition represents the latest codes available as authorized by CMS.

When filling claims from:
• October 1 to December 31, 2008, you should use Version 14.3
• January 1 to March 31, 2009, you should use Version 15.0
• April 1 to June 30, 2009, you should use Version 15.1
• July 1 to September 30, 2009, you should use Version 15.2
• October 1 to December 31, 2009, you should use Version 15.3