Skilled nursing facilities have a new payment code to look out for, according Nephrology News & Issues.
The new G0491 payment code, announced by CMS, applies to dialysis for acute kidney injury patients cared for at these facilities under Medicare Part A.
With G0491, providers bill for outpatient dialysis treatment but may also bill for additional services, such as more lab tests or treatments, according to the report.
Previously, the report notes, skilled nursing facilities were on the hook for dialysis costs for AKI patients under Medicare's "consolidated billing" rule. The new rule means Medicare will now reimburse these facilities separately for the dialysis.
The new rule is slated to take effect Jan. 1.