Smoking and Tobacco use Cessation Counseling Billing Codes Updated

CMS has sent out information stating that effective for services on or after January 1, 2008 physicians and providers who bill Medicare Contractors for smoking and tobacco cessation counseling must bill for these services with new CPT codes (99406 or 99507). If you bill using the former HCPCS codes (G0375 and G0376) for services provided after December 31, 2007, your claims will not be paid. Make sure your billing staff are aware of these newly required CPT codes for smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling services. The CMS announced changes to its contract with Medicare's quality improvement organizations that it said would improve oversight of the regional quality groups and better track progress in healthcare facilities’ safety initiatives.