Novitas ADR Letters: A Mailing Delay
For Additional Documentation Request (ADR) letters from Novitas Solutions dated April 1 to April 12, 2013, you have 30 days from the date you receive the letter to respond to the request.

Novitas Requires Certain Forms for Paper Documentation
Starting May 1, 2013, Novitas Solutions will return faxed or mailed documentation that is not submitted with certain approved Novitas forms.

Turning the Corner
Physicians have encountered various problems since Novitas Solutions Inc. took over from TrailBlazer last November as the Texas Medicare carrier. Novitas representatives acknowledge the company fell short in some areas, with customer service challenges and delays in appeals processing being the main ones. Texas Medical Association's Payment Advocacy staff members continue to closely monitor Novitas' operations. They remain in regular conversations with the carrier and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which approved Novitas as the regional Medicare contractor in 2011.

Novitas Mails Medicare Revalidation Letters
On March 1, Novitas, the Texas Medicare claims processor, began sending physicians in the Medicare program letters asking them to revalidate their enrollment information. Physicians not on the March 1 mailing list will receive their letters either March 15 or March 29.

Watch for E-Prescribing Overpayment
Texas Medicare contractor Novitas Solutions has identified a problem with e-prescribing payment reductions for 2012 dates of service, resulting in overpayments for some physicians.

Tips for Contacting Novitas’ via Phone or Mail
If you are still getting used to navigating Novitas’ interactive voice response (IVR) phone system at (855) 252 8782, and its mailing addresss, here are a few helpful hints from the Medicare contractor. You do not need to enter the

Medicare in 2013: Are You In or Out?
You have a month to decide if you will participate in Medicare this year. Feb. 15 is the deadline to make a decision. The Texas Medical Association will help you decide with a new webinar discussing your three options.