CMS Issues KX Modifier Thresholds/Related Policy Updates for CY 2019

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released Change Request (CR) 11055, “Annual Update to the Per-Beneficiary Therapy Amounts.” This CR provides information on the annual per-beneficiary incurred expense amounts, now known as the KX modifier thresholds, and related policy updates for calendar year (CY) 2019. These amounts were previously associated with the financial limitation amounts (therapy caps) before the application of the therapy caps was repealed when the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) of 2018 was signed into law.

For CY 2019, the KX modifier threshold amount for physical therapy (PT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) services combined is $2,040. For occupational therapy (OT) services, the CY 2019 threshold amount is $2,040.

Contact Melissa Dehoff, RCPA Rehabilitation Services Director, with questions.