Provider Education

90.4.1 - Provider Education (Rev. 1639, Issued: 11-21-08, Effective: 01-01-09, Implementation: 01-05-09) ZIP Code files for the automated payment of the HPSA bonus payment will be developed and updated annually. Effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2009, only services provided in areas that are designated as of December 31 of the prior year are eligible for the HPSA bonus payment. Physicians providing services in areas that were designated as of December 31 of the prior year but not on the automated file may use the AQ modifier. Only services provided in areas that were designated as of December 31 of the prior year but not on the automated file may use the modifier. Services provided in areas that are designated throughout the year will not be eligible for the HPSA bonus payment until the following year, provided they are still designated on December 31. Services provided in areas that are de- designated throughout the year will continue to be eligible for the HPSA bonus through the end of the calendar year. CMS will post on its Web site ZIP Codes that are eligible to automatically receive the bonus payment as well as information on how to determine when the modifier is needed to receive the bonus payment. Through regularly scheduled bulletins and list serves, A/B MACs (B) must notify all physicians to verify their ZIP Code eligibility via the CMS Web site or the HRSA Website for the area where they provide physician services.