Public Comment Forum Upcoming Changes: HIPAA Code Conversion for Local Modifier ZS

As part of the continuing effort to comply with the federally mandated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the following change is slated to be effective for dates of service on or after December 1, 2013. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will discontinue use of local modifier ZS, which is used to bill for the full professional (26) and technical (TC) components of a procedure. Providers will be instructed to use one of three scenarios when submitting a claim for split-billable procedures or services and for TAR completion.

Notice is hereby given that DHCS will conduct written public proceedings, during which time any interested person or such person’s duly authorized representative may present statements, arguments or contentions relevant to the action described in this notice. The comment forum will begin September 15, 2013, and stays open a minimum of 45 days. The proposed changes will be available by clicking the “Public Comment Forum Coming: HIPAA Code Conversion for Local Modifier ZS” line in the NewsFlash area of the Medi-Cal website. This link will direct providers to the “Medi-Cal Comment Forum” where they can view the article.

Source: General Medicine | September 2013 | Bulletin 471