Confusion over transitional care management leads to more resources

The new codes for transitional care management (TCM) are proving to be a source of ongoing confusion and frustration within the Medicare program. Physicians are having a hard time billing them, and Medicare administrative contractors are having difficulties processing related claims.

In response, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released an educational document on the subject. It explains what TCM services include, who may furnish them, where they are applicable, and how to bill for them. The document also includes frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the topic.

It is a nice complement to resources that the American Academy of Family Physicians has previously provided on the topic, including:

•    another set of FAQs

•    a worksheet designed to help family physicians log important information in the patient's transitional care summary

•    a related article in the May-June issue of Family Practice Management

•    previous blog posts on this subject

Hopefully, among these resources, you will find what you need to successfully report these new codes.

– Kent Moore, Senior Strategist for Physician Payment for the American Academy of Family Physicians