CMS will no longer require you to apply a modifier to visits not ordered by the certifying physician for episodes starting on or after July 1.
 
That’s the upshot of a transmittal published on the federal Medicare agency’s website April 3.
 
“Transmittal 2650, dated Feb. 1, 2013, is being rescinded and replaced… to remove… instructions regarding reporting a new modifier,” CMS says in the new transmittal.
 
CMS staff indicated at a Feb. 20 open-door call that the federal Medicare agency had received questions from the industry about the use of the modifier.
 
Still in place though is the CMS requirement to report one of three Q codes to describe the location where services were provided.
 
For more information on CMS' updated guidance, turn to the April 8 issue of HHL.