Billing Information for Attending Physicians of

Hospice Patients

The attending  physician not affiliated or under contract with the hospice may bill Medicare for services provided to a hospice patient. 

In each of the following cases, a modifier must be entered on form HCFA-1500 along with the appropriate CPT code:

The attending physician’s services are related to the patient’s terminal condition:	GV modifier
The attending physician’s services are not related to the patient’s terminal condition:	GW modifier
The covering physician is a member of the attending physician’s practice:	Q5 modifier with the GV or GW modifier
The covering physician is not a member of the attending physician’s practice:	Q6 modifier with the GV or GW modifier.

Caution: Medicare Part B carriers will deny claims on hospice patients when neither modifier is used.