Question: What is the latest information on HPSA bonuses?

Answer: Physicians are eligible to receive bonus payments for medical services provided in geographic areas the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services deems to be a Health Physician Shortage Area (HPSA). Payments are made automatically for zip codes that are in full or partial HPSA counties, without additional requirements for billing.

Is modifier -AQ still required? Yes, in certain circumstances. Modifier -AQ Services provided in a HPSA, is required for the following conditions:

• When zip code areas do not fall entirely within a designated full county HPSA bonus area
• When a zip code area falls partially within a full county HPSA, but is not considered to be in that county based on the U.S. Postal Service dominance decision
• When a zip code area falls partially within a non-full county HPSA
• When a zip code area was not included in the automated file of HPSA areas based on the date of the data run used to create the file

Enter your location on the CMS website to find out if your practice meets the requirements.