The July quarterly I/OCE update from CMS brought few new APCs or edit updates, but did deliver new modifier -L1. Hospitals will use the new modifier to submit outpatient laboratory tests paid under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) in certain circumstances to claim separate payment.
Hospital outpatient therapeutic services, such as ED or clinic visits, that are paid under the OPPS or to critical access hospitals (CAH) on a cost basis must be furnished "incident to" a physician's service to be covered.
In the Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 2903, April 2014 Update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS), CMS discusses the current policy regarding billing for certain devices that are received by facilities at no cost, full credit, or partial credit.
