Type of sleep medicine certification and billing Medicare

[Brobertson]

I am a pediatrician Board certified in sleep medicine, in the Army. I see sleep patients of any age and have many elderly patients in Medicare roles at the military hospital, and I think that our hospital bills Medicare for the services I provide. I am considering a job with a private practice that has a large number of >65 yo Medicare patients, but there may be a problem. The practice is under the impression that I cannot bill Medicare for E/M services for these adult patients. It might have something to do with my NPPES/NPI taxonomy listed as pediatrics. My sleep certification is through the ABP. the board exam was the same as the one everyone takes and training is the same in sleep medicine no matter what your original specialty is.

1. Does anyone think this is correct?
2. If it is correct, can I change my taxonomy to something like non-specific sleep medicine?
3. Would it matter?

Thanks

[PMRNC]

Yes, you will have to change your taxonomy code or add, I'm not sure which one. There is one primary one linked to your NPI and I believe you can use an alternate one. There are some FAQ's on the NPPES site that might help. https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/webhelp/nppeshelp/NPPES%20FAQS.html  There is also a list of taxonomy codes here: http://www.wpc-edi.com/reference/codelists/healthcare/health-care-provider-taxonomy-code-set/