by Bob Whaley | May 26, 2010 | Definitions
A collection agency collects the amount owed to a medical practice by a patient when the practice has exhausted all efforts to collect the debt. Most practices will send the patient several statements and call the patient before “turning them over” to a...
by Bob Whaley | May 26, 2010 | Definitions
Co-insurance is a percentage of the allowable charges that the patient is required to pay at the time of service. Typically, the patient’s deductible must be satisfied before the payer will pay on a claim.
by Bob Whaley | May 26, 2010 | Definitions
The CMS 1500 (formerly called the HCFA 1500) is the form/format (paper or electronic) used to submit Medicare Part B claims.
by Bob Whaley | Apr 25, 2010 | Definitions
A benefit period is a defined period of time in which the services a Medicare beneficiary uses are measured. It is also called a “spell of illness”. A benefit period: starts the day a beneficiary goes into a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF) ends...
by Bob Whaley | Apr 25, 2010 | Definitions
Every health organization has a standard fee schedule that it discounts for volume health services payers such as Blue Cross or Aetna. When one agrees to accept a discounted fee schedule, it is not legal to bill the patient the difference between your standard fee...
