CMS posts consolidated billing information. (In Brief).

Coding information for skilled nursing facility consolidated billing (CB) can now be found on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Web site at <www.hcfa.gov/medlearn/refsnf.htm> under the heading "Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facility Residents Claims Billed to Medicare Carriers or DMERCs by Physicians, Non-Physician Practitioners, and Suppliers."

According to CMS, the CB requirement "confers on the SNF responsibility for the entire package of care that residents receive during a covered Part A SNF stay and physical, occupational, and speech therapy services received during a noncovered stay."

The online information may be used by carriers and providers to determine by procedure code whether services rendered to beneficiaries are included in CB. CMS has grouped the information into four "code files" addressing physician professional services; physician interpretation of diagnostic tests; ambulance services; and physical, occupational, and speech therapy services.

CMS states that these files are for services rendered in calendar year 2002, and that carriers and providers will be notified of any subsequent changes.