www.njchiropractors.com I 15 MEDICARE Q&A Q How do I change my practice address for Medicare? A  All changes of practice addresses are reported on the applicable CMS-855 form. Changes can include, but are not limited to: adding a new location, moving to a new location, or changing the suite number of current location. The 855I form is for individual providers and the 855B form is for Groups and Organizations. Q  How can I check the status of the processing of my CMS-855 application? A  You can check the status of the processing of your paper or provider enrollment, chain and ownership system (PECOS) web application by using the Novitas Enrollment Application Status Inquiry Tool available at www.novitas-solutions. com. This tool allows you to receive a high-level status of your enrollment applications (i.e., CMS-855 forms or CMS-588 agreement). You may also verify the status of enrollment applications submitted via CMS’ PECOS Web through PECOS. Q  What date do I use for the license effective date on the 855 form? A  The license effective date is the original date you obtained your license. It is not the date of the license renewal. Q  I have a patient who is a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary and has both Medicare and Medicaid. May I bill the patient for the Medicare deductible and co-pay? A  Medicare providers may not bill beneficiaries enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program for Medicare B deductibles, coinsurance, or copays, but state Medicaid programs may pay for those costs. Q  Are there other programs that a patient may have both Medicare and Medicaid? A Yes.“Dual eligible beneficiaries” generally describes beneficiaries eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The term includes beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B and receiving full Medicaid benefits and/or assistance with Medicare premiums or cost sharing through one of these Medicare Savings Program (MSP) categories: •  Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program: Helps pay premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Part A, Part B, or both programs Specified Low-Income Medicare •  Beneficiary (SLMB) Program: Helps pay Part B premiums •  Qualifying Individual (QI) Program: Helps pay Part B premiums •  Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI) Program: Pays the Part A premium for certain disabled and working beneficiaries Medicare pays covered medical services first for dual eligible beneficiaries because Medicaid is generally the payer of last resort. Medicaid may cover medical costs that Medicare may not cover or partially covers. Richard C. Healy, DC, CCSP, is the treasurer and Medicare consultant for the ANJC. A New Jersey Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee delegate and a Certified Chiropractic Insurance Consultant, Dr. Healy is a graduated of New York Chiropractic College and has been in private practice in Dumont for more than 35 years. Richard C. Healy, DC, CCSP, is the treasurer and Medicare consultant for the ANJC. A New Jersey Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee delegate and a Certified Chiropractic Insurance Consultant, Dr. Healy is a graduate of New York Chiropractic College and has been in private practice in Dumont for more than 35 years. By Dr. Richard C. Healy ANJC Medicare Consultant ANJC needs our members to donate to the ANJC Political Action Committee (PAC) as we continually have to fight to protect and advance our patients and profession in the political arena. Your small monthly donation to ANJC PAC will help grow our political strength by supporting legislators and policymakers who make the decisions that impact your practice and our profession. Without a voice in Trenton and beyond, we would be doomed to gradually worsening conditions to practice and earn a living, with no say in the decisions. We need your help… Now! ANJC PAC is fighting for: •  Greater patient access to chiropractic care •  Lawsuits against major carriers who improperly deny care •  Improved public relations •  Veteran’s benefits to access chiropractic care •  Opening Worker’s Compensa- tion for chiropractic care •  Stopping improper denials of your care by payers •  and much more! We Need YOU to Donate a Small Amount to Make a Big Difference! ANJC PAC has set a goal for each New Jersey Chiropractor to donate only $25/month to the PAC to help build our funds as never before. You can donate online at www.anjc.info by clicking Legislation, then PAC. If everyone gives a little, we can make a big difference together! TM