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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesReimbursement/Payment Policycare_continuum Sequestration Policy Coverage | Ope…
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    Currentcare_continuumPolicy n05673

    Sequestration Policy

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    Defines Care Continuum's Medicare Advantage reimbursement treatment for federal sequestration (percentage payment reductions) and who it affects (Network Health Medicare Advantage membership).

    Policy Summary
    Payercare_continuum
    PolicySequestration Policy
    Policy CodePolicy n05673
    Change TypeNo material change
    Effective DateJun 2, 2027
    Last ReviewJun 2, 2027
    Next Review DateJun 2, 2027
    Key ActionApply sequestration reduction after member cost share and coordination of benefits and add CARC 253 to claim lines where sequestration is applied.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.

    2%standard reduction
    1%Apr–Jun 2022 rate
    May 1, 2020–Mar 31, 2022CARES Act waiver period
    CARC 253CARC used

    Sequestration Application Rules

    Sequestration application rules

    Application rules for sequestration on Medicare Advantage claims

    For dates of service or discharge Apr 1, 2013–Apr 30, 2020: apply 2% reduction to physician, facility, ancillary and other reimbursements for Medicare Advantage membership.
    For dates of service May 1, 2020–Mar 31, 2022: 2% reduction waived per CARES Act Section 3709.
    For dates of service Apr 1, 2022–Jun 30, 2022: apply 1% reduction.
    For dates of service on/after Jul 1, 2022: apply 2% reduction until further notice.
    Reduction is applied after determination of member cost share (deductible, coinsurance, copay) and any coordination of benefits.
    Policy Summary
    Payercare_continuum
    PolicySequestration Policy
    Policy CodePolicy n05673
    Change TypeNo material change
    Effective DateJun 2, 2027
    Last ReviewJun 2, 2027
    Next Review DateJun 2, 2027
    Key ActionApply sequestration reduction after member cost share and coordination of benefits and add CARC 253 to claim lines where sequestration is applied.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Sequestration Application RulesSequestration Codes & RatesBilling and Reporting GuidanceKey Terms

    OpenPayer is powered by Trek Health's payer performance platform. Trek continuously ingests, validates, and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data alongside payer policies and other commercial payer data to create a structured payer intelligence foundation. OpenPayer uses this foundation to deliver personalized search results, dynamically generated policy pages, and tailored policy monitoring based on each user's payers, specialties, billing codes, and areas of interest. The same intelligence powers broader payer performance workflows, including reimbursement benchmarking, contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and financial decision-making.

    Add CARC '253/Sequestration - reduction in federal payment' to each claim line indicating sequestration was applied.

    Sequestration Codes & Rates

    Sequestration CARCmixed
    253Sequestration - reduction in federal payment (CARC)
    Sequestration rate
    Standard sequestration rate2% reduction to Medicare claims reimbursement (applies to physician, facility, ancillary and other reimbursements)
    Apr 1, 2022–Jun 30, 2022 rate1% reduction to Medicare claims reimbursement
    Waiver period (CARES Act Section 3709)May 1, 2020–Mar 31, 2022 — 2% reduction waived
    Initial effective periodApr 1, 2013–Apr 30, 2020 — 2% reduction applied
    Post‑Jul 1, 2022 guidanceOn/after Jul 1, 2022: 2% reduction applies until further notice

    Billing and Reporting Guidance

    Billing Rule

    Apply sequestration after member cost share and report with CARC 253

    Sequestration reductions are applied after the claims adjudication system determines member cost share (deductible, coinsurance, copay) and any coordination of benefits; add CARC 253 to each claim line where sequestration is applied.

    • Apply sequestration reduction after member cost share and coordination of benefits are determined.
    • Append Claims Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) '253/Sequestration - reduction in federal payment' to each claim line indicating sequestration was applied.

    Key Terms

    Definition — Sequestration
    DefinitionSequestration is a federal payment reduction applied to Medicare claims as announced by CMS; implemented as a percentage reduction to reimbursement.
    Claim indicatorWhen applied, add Claims Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) 253: 'Sequestration - reduction in federal payment' to each claim line.
    Application timingReductions are applied after determination of member cost share (deductible, coinsurance, copay) and any coordination of benefits.