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Tips & Tools: Update on Place of Service Reimbursement March 2024
This update is a follow-up to NASW’s Tips and Tools, New Medicare Reimbursement for 2024, https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Tips-and-Tools-for-Social-Workers/New-Medicare-Telehealth-Reimbursement-for-2024. It focused on Medicare reimbursement for place of service codes (POS) 02 (services provided at a location other than patient’s home) and 10 (services provided in the patient’s home). Clinical social work members informed NASW they were not being reimbursed at the 2024 rate for telehealth services provided at a non-facility using POS code 10. Reimbursement rates vary in each geographic location. For 2024, a non-facility is reimbursed at a higher rate than a facility because it includes practice expense.
NASW advocated for its members and contacted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for assistance. As a result, the National Government Services and Novitas Solutions for Medicare Part B providers have informed providers that a system processing issue resulted in incorrect payments at the facility rate and has now been corrected. As a result, the National Government Services and Novitas Solutions are initiating a mass adjustment of all impacted claims with dates of services beginning January 1, 2024, and after. Members will soon receive the correct reimbursement and retroactive payment.
The reimbursement change may also be adopted by other third-party payers. For information, clinical social workers should verify with each of the behavioral health insurance company with whom they are credentialed.
Highlights for Social Workers in the Medicare 2024 Physician Fee Schedule
On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) (CMS–1784–P). The PFS is a listing of fees used by Medicare to reimburse Medicare providers. It addresses changes to Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that payment systems are updated to reflect changes in health care practices.
Read more about Highlights for Social Workers in the Medicare 2024 Physician Fee Schedule
Tackling Substance Use in Schools
The primary focus of school is to provide children and adolescents with a quality education. However, various factors can pose challenges in how students interact with and learn in the education system. Particularly, substance use in schools can lead to educational disruptions and cause emotional trauma for staff and students.
Read more about Tackling Substance Use in Schools: Current Challenges and Social Work Solutions
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