Wis. ForwardHealth Online Handbook, Hospice, Topic #643

According to the HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) codebook, if a service is provided that is not

accurately described by other HCPCS CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) procedure codes, the service should be reported

using an unlisted procedure code.

Before considering using an unlisted, or NOC (not otherwise classified), procedure code, a provider should determine if there is

another more specific code that could be indicated to describe the procedure or service being performed/provided. If there is no

more specific code available, the provider is required to submit the appropriate documentation, which could include a PA (prior

authorization) request, to justify use of the unlisted procedure code and to describe the procedure or service rendered. Submitting

the proper documentation, which could include a PA request, may result in more timely claims processing.

Unlisted procedure codes should not be used to request adjusted reimbursement for a procedure for which there is a more

specific code available.

Unlisted Codes That Do Not Require Prior Authorization or Additional

Supporting Documentation

For a limited group of unlisted procedure codes, ForwardHealth has established specific policies for their use and associated

reimbursement. These codes do not require PA or additional documentation to be submitted with the claim. Providers should refer

to their service-specific area of the Online Handbook on the ForwardHealth Portal for details about these unlisted codes.

For most unlisted codes, ForwardHealth requires additional documentation.

Unlisted Codes That Require Prior Authorization

Certain unlisted procedure codes require PA. Providers should follow their service-specific PA instructions and documentation

requirements for requesting PA. For a list of procedure codes for which ForwardHealth requires PA, refer to the service-specific

interactive maximum allowable fee schedule.

In addition to a properly completed PA request, documentation submitted on the service-specific PA attachment or as additional

supporting documentation with the PA request should provide the following information:

• Specifically identify or describe the name of the procedure/service being performed or billed under the unlisted code.

• List/justify why other codes are not appropriate.

• Include only relevant documentation.

• Include all required clinical/supporting documentation.

nurses) (up to 4 hours/day)

0562 Hospice services — Routine home care service intensity add-on, services provided by social workers

(up to 4 hours/day)

0651 Hospice services — Routine home care (up to 7.5 hours/day)

0652 Hospice services — Continuous home care (8–24 hours/day)

0655 Hospice services — Inpatient respite care

0656 Hospice services — General inpatient care

For most situations, once the provider has an approved PA request for the unlisted procedure code, there is no need to submit

additional documentation along with the claim.

Unlisted Codes That Do Not Require Prior Authorization

If an unlisted procedure code does not require PA, documentation submitted with the claim to justify use of the unlisted code and

to describe the procedure/service rendered must be sufficient to allow ForwardHealth to determine the nature and scope of the

procedure and to determine whether or not the procedure is covered and was medically necessary, as defined in Wisconsin

Administrative Code.

The documentation submitted should provide the following information related to the unlisted code:

• Specifically identify or describe the name of the procedure/service being performed or billed under the unlisted code.

• List/justify why other codes are not appropriate.

• Include only relevant documentation.

How to Submit Claims and Related Documentation

Claims including an unlisted procedure code and supporting documentation may be submitted to ForwardHealth in the following

ways:

• If submitting on paper using the 1500 Health Insurance Claim Form ((02/12)), the provider may do either of the following:

» Include supporting information/description in Item Number 19 of the claim form.

» Include supporting documentation on a separate paper attachment. This option should be used if Item Number 19 on

the 1500 Health Insurance Claim Form does not allow enough space for the description or when billing multiple

unlisted procedure codes. Providers should indicate See Attachment in Item Number 19 of the claim form and send

the supporting documentation along with the claim form.

• If submitting electronically using DDE (Direct Data Entry) on the Portal, PES (Provider Electronic Solutions) software, or

837 (837 Health Care Claim) electronic transactions, the provider may do one of the following:

» Include supporting documentation in the Notes field. The Notes field is limited to 80 characters.

» Indicate that supporting documentation will be submitted separately on paper. This option should be used if the

Notes field does not allow enough space for the description or when billing multiple unlisted procedure codes.

Providers should indicate See Attachment in the Notes field of the electronic transaction and submit the supporting

documentation on paper.

» Upload claim attachments via the secure Provider area of the Portal.