CMS has extended a hold on processing physician claims through this coming Thursday, anticipating the Senate would cancel a 21.3 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements by that time, according to an e-mail from CMS.
Previously, CMS instructed Medicare contractors to hold claims for services from June 1 through June 14. While the House has passed a 19-month fee-fix, the Senate has not yet done so.
CMS said the extension would "minimize the need for claims reprocessing if Congressional action changes the negative update. It also should minimize the provider and beneficiary burdens and costs associated with reprocessing claims."
The new directive means if the Senate does not take action by Friday, as some observers fear, contractors would begin processing claims that day with the 21.3 percent cut in them.
Previously, CMS instructed Medicare contractors to hold claims for services from June 1 through June 14. While the House has passed a 19-month fee-fix, the Senate has not yet done so.
CMS said the extension would "minimize the need for claims reprocessing if Congressional action changes the negative update. It also should minimize the provider and beneficiary burdens and costs associated with reprocessing claims."
The new directive means if the Senate does not take action by Friday, as some observers fear, contractors would begin processing claims that day with the 21.3 percent cut in them.