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After
you have determined that everything that needed billing for a
calendar month was billed, it is safe to file it away.
It will
be helpful to have the patient CID's and the Month End Reports
available during the month. By looking at what the patient received
in months past you can ensure they are getting the correct quantity.
Remember, it is better to give them everything they need at one
time for everyone involved. If you are short product try to work
what you do give your patient so they run out during a week you
wish to make deliveries. If after reviewing the CIDs and reports
if you find a patient who always seems to get product twice a
month, calculate what they will need to get them into a routine
so that you only need to dispense once per month. If needed,
call or email for help.
If you
notate on the month end reports what was paid and what the patient
owes you, use the report to generate the patient statement. We
often suggest setting up an account for your medical supply and
equipment patients so you can easily bill them for their copayments
and deductibles. The rule is "you have to attempt to collect".
It doesn't say anything about threatening to break their legs
if they don't pay up. If you are audited Medicare will want to
see proof that you have made the attempt to collect. Ensure whoever
is making the patient statement notes the date billed on the
report.
There
are many ways to address billing your patients for portions due
from them, and the law says you have to try. The easiest way
is to revolve
the charges monthly.
Keep track of what is paid and the new charges incurred and send
the patient statements. If you do not have software to do this
it's as easy as setting up a word processing file for each patient
and keeping track of payments received. If you need help please
call. Integrated has set up patient billing routines since 1990
and we know a few tricks. We can do those for you for a nominal
fee, but we rarely are asked to.
If your
patients cannot afford their copayments and deductibles, recognize
that those monies due you are your profits. If you don't get
that 20 percent you may just be trading dollars.
If a patient
cannot afford the copayment or deducible, they should provide
you with a statement declaring their hardship. On our website
we have a Medicare approved for. Click
here to view the form
Remember
the rule about getting confused. If you lose track of what was ordered,
delivered, signed for, forwarded, billed, collected or filed,
even if you are making money you will get gray hairs. So develop
a system that suits your practice that keeps everything streamlined
and systematic. Again, if you need help please don't hesitate
to contact us. It always works better if you get off on the right
foot and your operation is streamlined.
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