MLN Connects News

2024 Medicare Part B Deductible.

The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $240 in 2024, an increase of $14 from the annual deductible of $226 in 2023.

Discarded Drugs and Biologicals:

When to Use JW and JZ Modifiers.

Read updated JW and JZ Modifier FAQs for additional clarity on billing with these modifiers (see FAQs 7, 8, and 18–22). CMS posted a new list of billing and payment codes only used for single-dose containers that may require the modifiers, depending on the setting:

Aetna OfficeLink Updates, Oct. 1, 2023

Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) modifiers FX and FY

Effective January 1, 2024, we will reduce payment for radiology procedures billed with modifiers FX and FY to align with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines.

• Modifier FX (X-ray taken using film): A 20% payment reduction applies to the technical component (and the technical component of the global fee).

• Modifier FY (computed radiography X-ray): A 10% payment reduction applies to the technical component (and the technical component of the global fee).

Reimbursement for code A9279

(monitoring feature/device)

Effective January 1, 2024, Aetna® will no longer reimburse for code A9279, since it is considered statutorily non-covered.

Aetna Monthly OfficeLink Update