Author Topic: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's  (Read 6674 times)

nlbarnes64

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« on: February 11, 2014, 03:38:30 PM »
I'm looking for a reference where it is mandatory to black out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's before mailing them out to a secondary payer.  I know it's PHI under HIPAA but I need something to show.

PMRNC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4562
    • One Stop Resources & Networking for Medical Billers
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2014, 04:16:52 PM »
It's called De-identifying.. why do you need to show it is necessary? Sort of common sense under HIPAA.  Not a big deal to black out info and make sure you copy the EOB for each of the other patient files.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

nlbarnes64

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2014, 04:45:41 PM »
I've got people that don't believe me.

DMK

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 680
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2014, 05:00:18 PM »
Remind them that the ID# for Medicare patients is their Social, you can't just share that info with anyone and everyone.  It must be ONLY for THAT patient.  So any other ID #s must be blacked out.

nlbarnes64

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2014, 05:02:25 PM »
I hear you.  By the way, do you send the last page of the eob with all of your secondary claims?  The page with the explanation codes.  I haven't in the 27 years I've been doing this.  One time, a payer wanted it.  It's being done here and I feel it's such a waste.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2014, 05:02:25 PM »

PMRNC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4562
    • One Stop Resources & Networking for Medical Billers
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2014, 06:30:43 PM »
If there are denials or remarks I do send it.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

shanbull

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 176
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2014, 06:46:10 PM »
I hear you.  By the way, do you send the last page of the eob with all of your secondary claims?  The page with the explanation codes.  I haven't in the 27 years I've been doing this.  One time, a payer wanted it.  It's being done here and I feel it's such a waste.

No, I'm curious as to why that would be necessary. Don't most insurers use the same remit codes these days?

RichardP

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 757
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2014, 07:15:30 PM »
I'm looking for a reference where it is mandatory to black out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's before mailing them out to a secondary payer.  I know it's PHI under HIPAA but I need something to show.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/privacysummary.pdf

See bottom of Page 3 (Page numbers are at bottom of page).  This is the bottom of the fifth page of the PDF file.  Starts with:

Protected Health Information:  The Privacy Rule protects all "individually identifiable health information" held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral. The Privacy Rule calls this information "protected health information (PHI)."

This is dated 2003.  I'm sure there are more recent iterations of the Privacy Rule, but I found this first.

nlbarnes64

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2014, 08:05:29 PM »
Thank you...

Merry

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 362
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2014, 08:12:19 PM »
I remember Michele noting somewhere in the forum that certain pens do not really "black out" the data and can be seen when a copy is made. I am sure she will pop in here and see this.

Merry

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2014, 08:12:19 PM »

nlbarnes64

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2014, 08:14:32 PM »
They do not block out the info entirely.  I copy them after I black them out.  However, I didn't know we could use correction tape or white out?

Michele

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5927
    • Solutions Medical Billing
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2014, 10:28:56 AM »
If there are denials or remarks I do send it.

Ditto with Linda.  I only attach if I'm submitting a denial or exclusion that the secondary should cover but they need to see the MCR eob.  They should know the remark codes but I don't rely on it.

A lot of people use Sharpies but when the Sharpie ink dries you can read through it.  If you use a Sharpie you should either re-photocopy after you black out the names, or Sharpie the back side too.  That eliminates the problem.  :)  We don't black out the names, we cover them when photocopying.  With ERAs we can simply print out only the patient we want which eliminates the need for blocking or blacking out.
« Last Edit: February 12, 2014, 10:36:36 AM by Michele »
Sign Up for our FREE Medical Billing Newsletter
Get a 10% discount on Medical Billing Products by using Coupon Code: 10OFF
http://www.solutions-medical-billing.com

PMRNC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4562
    • One Stop Resources & Networking for Medical Billers
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2014, 12:04:31 PM »
I have Black Out, I use it for a lot of things, it's good for using when you want to toss old bills in the mail and black out stuff that could be used for identity theft.   I think I got mine from Office Depot, it came with refills too.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

nlbarnes64

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12
Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2014, 01:52:43 PM »
Thanks on the Black Out info....

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2014, 01:52:43 PM »