The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is updating edit criteria related to the payment timely filing limits for submitting claims for Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) reimbursement. As a result of the PPACA, claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2010 received later than one calendar year beyond the date of service will be denied by Medicare. Further details follow in this article. Make sure your billing staff is aware of these changes.
Prior to PPACA, the regulations stated the service provider or supplier must submit claims for services furnished during the first nine (9) months of the calendar year on or before December 31st of the following calendar year. For services rendered during the last quarter of the calendar year, the provider or supplier must submit the claim on or before December 31st of the second following year.
Medicare contractors are adjusting (as necessary) their relevant system edits to ensure that:
• Claims with dates of service prior to October 1, 2009 will be subject to pre-PPACA timely filing rules and associated edits;
• Claims with dates of service October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 received after December 31, 2010 will be denied as being past the timely filing deadline and;
• Claims with dates of service January 1, 2010 and later received more than 1 calendar year beyond the date of service will be denied as being past the timely filing deadline.
