August 2005 Newsletter
To "Q" You In
New Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Modifier
The two modifiers, QB and QU, currently used on claims qualifying for the HPSA bonus payments, will be deleted on January 1, 2006 and one new modifier created, AQ for HPSA. There will no longer be a distinction between physicians providing HPSA services in a rural area vs. an urban area.
Note: This change is date of service related. Claims with dates of service prior to January 1, 2006 must continue to use the current modifiers QB and QU. Any claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2006 must use the modifier AQ to reflect that the physician provided service in an HPSA.
Additional information on this subject is available on the CMS web site under Change Request #3935.