Comments on: Financial Policy? Collections? Oh my! http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/ Resources for NPs in Business Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:38:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Paula http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-195 Paula Thu, 30 Aug 2007 01:26:34 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-195 Barbara, this is an excellent article, thank you for sharing it. Paula Barbara,
this is an excellent article, thank you for sharing it. Paula

]]> By: Carla Anderson http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-197 Carla Anderson Sun, 02 Sep 2007 08:45:32 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-197 Barbara, I have seen two Medicare patients, and they said they have NEVER been asked to pay 20%, and they have never heard of this pr paying a co pay. I do agree with you, Medicare customer service says this, but I also saw my dad never paid, as he had a supplemental policy, but when I worked for a retail clinic, and we accepted Medicare, the patients were never asked to pay a co pay ever. It was not in any type of policy either. So if this is the case, why do all the Medicare patients seem shocked? And why do other clinics not mention it for Medicare? Anyone with helpful information would be appreciated. Carla /Oregon Barbara,

I have seen two Medicare patients, and they said they have NEVER been asked to pay 20%, and they have never heard of this pr paying a co pay. I do agree with you, Medicare customer service says this, but I also saw my dad never paid, as he had a supplemental policy, but when I worked for a retail clinic, and we accepted Medicare, the patients were never asked to pay a co pay ever. It was not in any type of policy either. So if this is the case, why do all the Medicare patients seem shocked? And why do other clinics not mention it for Medicare? Anyone with helpful information would be appreciated. Carla /Oregon

]]> By: bcp http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-199 bcp Sun, 02 Sep 2007 21:50:16 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-199 Carla, Yes, I know...many patients do not seem to understand the 20% co-insurance that medicare does not cover. One thing I've found is not to use the term co-pay in this situation - because it really is not. I think many offices do try to collect, and others just feel it's not worth the hassle. Many people expect that their co-insurance or supplemental insurance will pick up everything - unfortunately that is not the case. The other part that is very difficult for people to understand is their deductible. This is true not only for those on Medicare, but commercial insurance as well. I will say, I have people who have no supplmental insurance, and they pay their 20% without a problem. Then there are those who just don't want to pay anything. The cardiology office upstairs from me has posted on their office sign the following: ======== "We accept Medicare assignment. The 20% not covered by Medicare must be paid by you or your supplemental insurance. Thank You. ======== I think I may post the same thing, only I'll add something about the deductible as well. Barbara Carla,

Yes, I know…many patients do not seem to understand the 20% co-insurance that medicare does not cover. One thing I’ve found is not to use the term co-pay in this situation - because it really is not. I think many offices do try to collect, and others just feel it’s not worth the hassle.

Many people expect that their co-insurance or supplemental insurance will pick up everything - unfortunately that is not the case.

The other part that is very difficult for people to understand is their deductible. This is true not only for those on Medicare, but commercial insurance as well.

I will say, I have people who have no supplmental insurance, and they pay their 20% without a problem. Then there are those who just don’t want to pay anything.

The cardiology office upstairs from me has posted on their office sign the following:

========
“We accept Medicare assignment. The 20% not covered by Medicare must be paid by you or your supplemental insurance.

Thank You.
========

I think I may post the same thing, only I’ll add something about the deductible as well.

Barbara

]]> By: Carla Anderson http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-203 Carla Anderson Mon, 03 Sep 2007 06:54:35 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-203 That is a good idea. But the 20% is of what Medicare allows correct? Not what we are billing, so we have to go by the 2007 Medicare provider coding sheets correct? For example, I dont have it off hand, but a patient may end up with an odd figure, like a 20% co insurance might be 14.74 cents..right? so at the end of the visit we would calculate that? Carla That is a good idea. But the 20% is of what Medicare allows correct? Not what we are billing, so we have to go by the 2007 Medicare provider coding sheets correct? For example, I dont have it off hand, but a patient may end up with an odd figure, like a 20% co insurance might be 14.74 cents..right? so at the end of the visit we would calculate that? Carla

]]> By: Julia http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-424 Julia Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:07:14 +0000 http://npbusiness.org/2007/08/27/financial-policy-collections-oh-my/#comment-424 Thanks for such a great article. I am working on setting off on my own, psych np, and this is the BEST website! So much helpful info. At my current office, a group practice, the collections are so sloppy. Re: copays, it is my understanding that HIPPA regs state that copays MUST be paid at time of service. Otherwise, it is a violation. If anyone has more info on this HIPPA thing, let me know. Thanks to all. --Julia Thanks for such a great article. I am working on setting off on my own, psych np, and this is the BEST website! So much helpful info.

At my current office, a group practice, the collections are so sloppy. Re: copays, it is my understanding that HIPPA regs state that copays MUST be paid at time of service. Otherwise, it is a violation. If anyone has more info on this HIPPA thing, let me know.

Thanks to all.
–Julia

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