N.M. Admin. Code § 8.302.1.15 - BILLING AND CLAIMS PROCESSING

Reimbursement to a provider for services or procedures is based on the MAD reimbursement fee schedule, reimbursement rate, or reimbursement methodology in place at the time the services were furnished by the provider. A provider who furnishes services to an eligible recipient agrees to accept the amount paid by MAD as payment in full, except as otherwise allowed by rule or regulation (42 CFR 447.15).

A. Requirements for reimbursement: A provider is reimbursed for performing a service or procedure only if any required prior authorization, documentation, certifications, or acknowledgements are submitted with the claim and the claim is received by the appropriate claims processing contractor within the filing limits.

B. Electronic billing requirements: Effective December 1, 2008, electronic billing of claims is mandatory unless an exemption has been allowed by MAD. Electronic billing improves the accuracy of claims submission and payment; provides consistency in billing information; and improves the speed of payment. Exemptions will be given on a case by case basis with consideration given to barriers the provider may face in billing electronically, including when volumes are so small that developing electronic submission capability is impractical. The requirement for electronic submission of claims does not apply to situations for which paper attachments must accompany the claim form.

C. Responsibility for claims: A provider is responsible for all claims submitted under their national provider identifier (NPI) or other provider number including responsibility for accurate coding that represents the services provided without inappropriately upcoding, unbundling, or billing mutually exclusive codes as indicated by published coding manuals, directives, and the CMS correct coding initiative.

D. No billing of recipients or third parties: With the exception of WDI and SCHIP or other specified program co-payments or cost-sharing, a provider may not bill, turn over to collection, or accept payment from an eligible recipient, their personal representative or other third parties determined to be legally responsible for the balance of a claim except as specifically allowed by MAD regulations. Following MAD payment, a provider cannot seek additional payment from an eligible recipient or their personal representative in addition to the amount paid by MAD. Following MAD denial of payment due to provider administrative error in filing a claim, a provider cannot seek payment from an eligible recipient or their personal representative or turn the balance over to collection. See 8.302.3 NMAC, Third Party Liability Provider Responsibilities.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.302.1.15

2-1-95; 2-1-99; 8.302.1.15 NMAC - Rn, 8 NMAC 4.MAD.701.6, 7-1-01; A, 1-1-02; A, 9-15-08, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIII, Issue 24, December 27, 2022, eff. 1/1/2023, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024