Advanced Beneficiary Notice with Medicare

September 1, 2008 Mandatory ABN submission on statutorily non-covered items from Medicare. Continue to bill with the GY modifier.

Accreditation

It seems lately that I have had difficulty convincing folks who are not in the accreditation process yet to GET GOING! Yes, it is intrusive, expensive and time consuming but here are some great reasons to get motivated:
1. After September 2009, if you bill Medicare in ANY capacity, your Medicare supplier number will be inactivated and you will not be able to participate in the Medicare program without being either in the process of obtaining your accreditation certificate or already accredited.
2. Once you go through this process you will be able to become a preferred provider for all insurance carriers much quicker and easier. Thus reducing your dependence on Medicare as the sole source of revenue.
3. Accrediting companies get your business in order and prepared for a carrier audit. This will give you peace of mind as well as help you run your business as streamlined as possible.
4. The longer you wait, you will run the risk of the accrediting companies getting backlogged and charging whatever they want. Medicare only recognizes ten companies.

Here is the list of Medicare's approved accrediting bodies:

-- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
-- Community Health Accreditation Program
-- Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation
-- National Board of Accreditation for Orthotic Suppliers
-- Board of Certification in Pedorthics
-- Accreditation Commission for Healthcare, Inc
-- Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification
-- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
-- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
-- American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.
-- The Compliance Team, Inc.