Medical Billing Forum
Payments => Patient Billing => : DMK October 11, 2010, 08:36:29 PM
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I think I've posted this question before but I never got an answer.
In July 2009 Medi-Cal (the public assistance Medi-caid program in California) cut many types of benefits. Chiropractic was one of them.
Prior to that, if a patient came in with Medicare primary and Medi-Cal secondary, and you were not a Medi-Cal approved provider, you could NOT collect any money from them. Not even the Medicare co-pay (since Medi-Cal had a much smaller reimbursement they wouldn't pay the difference anyway).
Now, since Medi-Cal doesn't even allow Chiropractic I am legally obligated to collect the co-pay or face punishment from Medicare.
The patient's can't understand why I HAVE to collect the co-pay now and that I HAD to write it off before.
Am I incorrect or is it part of responsibility as a Medicare provider to collect the required co-pay?
I have searched high and low on the Medicare site and the Medi-Cal site and can't get any answers.
Thanks for any help!
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My understanding is that you are legally required to attempt to collect the Medicare deductible and or coinsurance. If you attempt to collect but are unsuccessful, you fulfilled your legal obligation.