CMS Announces test code for PQRI readiness

If you are planning on participating in the CMS Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) beginning July 1st, you may want to test your readiness. To report under the PQRI claims should include a $0.00 or $0.01 charge on the codes. CMS announced the test code G8300 and provided the following testing advice:

Add G8300 as a line item on any claim for services (field 24D on the CMS-1500). For the ASC X 12N health care claim transaction (version 40101A1), submit the test code in the SV101-2 “product/service ID” data element on the SV1 professional service segment of the 2400 service line. For the purposes of a test only, the services you bill the test codes with do not have to be connected to quality measures you plan to report under the PQRI. Enter $0.00 or $0.01 as a line item charge for the test code. This will test if your billing software or clearinghouse can accept such a charge. Check your remittance advice on these claims – you should note a claim adjusted reason code 96 (non-covered charge). Also you should see RA remark code N365 (this procedure not payable – for reporting purposes only). For more information go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/