By Carol Hoppe, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-I
MedLucid Solutions

If you noticed that alcohol screening code G0442 and depression screening code G0444 started denying as bundled services in January 2020 and you wondered why, the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits apparently changed these procedure-to-procedure edits effective Jan. 1.  

When an ISMA member called to ask about these denials, we sent a written inquiry to WPS GHA Medicare questioning why these two covered screening benefits that Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to would deny when billed on the same date of service. 

WPS sent this concern to CMS and they now anticipate the removal of this edit in a future quarter.  The change should go back to Jan. 1, 2020, once is it corrected. Once this change is made, providers will need to resubmit any denied services.  WPS GHA will not publish anything specific on this change.  The NCCI edits update every quarter, and providers should watch for updates >>

If we hear anything more about the change, we will publish the information in a future newsletter edition.