Medical Billing Forum

Coding => Coding => : cmdavc May 28, 2009, 12:40:10 PM

: Holding billing
: cmdavc May 28, 2009, 12:40:10 PM
Hi there,

I have a simple question regarding when to bill for services.  Currently our biller is holding all billing for patients that have fundus photos done until the photos are processed and the doctor has done a report.  She does this just in case the photos do not turn out.  I feel that we can bill the procedure on the date of service.  If for some reason the photos do not come out we can bring in the patient and do them again @ no charge. 

I would like to know if there are any guidelines that we can follow for billing office visits and diagnostic testing that is not available for the doctor to review on the date of service.

Thank you,

Christina
: Re: Holding billing
: Michele May 29, 2009, 08:51:26 AM
Most providers bill them right after the photos are taken, however, the description does state "fundus photography with interpretation and report" so until the interpretation and report are completed the service was not performed.  What happens if the photos don't come out, and the patient doesn't return to have them retaken?

Since your provider is doing it this way, I think I would leave it.  If your provider belongs to any local, state, or national optometry/ophthamology organizations you could also check with them.

Michele