Medical Billing Forum
Billing => Billing => : melissa_2004 July 26, 2011, 02:01:25 PM
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Hi group,
I have a provider who is now treating patients transported to her from a local jail. The documents received indicate to bill the jail directly for the services rendered. Has anyone billed a jail before?
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I haven't personally done it, but I am familiar with it. You submit the CMS form to whatever address the jail provides.
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I have and do, all the time. It's straightforward BUT there is NO one way.. it will depend on the facility/jail, they have their OWN procedure's. On some I can't use patient names at all, they go by inmate number, some want itemized billing for each inmate and others will take a printout of all inmate's seen monthly. I have another where bills can only go to the Warden directly. Some of the prison's are able to get reimbursed by their local state or county so their procedure's depend on their procedures. One good thing is that you always know the reimbursement, there are NO denial's (visit's are already setup and authorized with the jail). Downside is that reimbursement might be consistent, monthly and I have one that only sends checks quarterly.
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Thanks to both you! This is helpful. There is always something new to learn. If not this would be boring. ;)
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That's why I like mental health billing the best..there is always something different going on! I have a client who just started a men's group for rapists, I have no problem billing but he's going to be told I'm not talking to any of them!
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I agree, we've had some "interesting situations" arise with our MH clients as well. Some with the actual provider not the patients!
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when we have inmates come in, typically, we have to bill the district attorneys office. all we have to do is send an invoice and either have the order attached or have a docket # on the invoice. the inmates are brought in with handcuffs and the ankle cuffs with chains everywhere. our other mental health patients, boy you should see their faces....
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when we have inmates come in, typically, we have to bill the district attorneys office. all we have to do is send an invoice and either have the order attached or have a docket # on the invoice. the inmates are brought in with handcuffs and the ankle cuffs with chains everywhere. our other mental health patients, boy you should see their faces....
No, that should not be happening, the provider should be making his rounds THERE at the facility, not being brought in with the provider's regular patient's as it's NOT a good practice, patient's would obviously be put-off especially with mental health.. patient's are not going to want to open up (especially if they are a victim) to a provider with inmates coming in from the jail. My provider's that see inmates GO to the facility and they get paid separately (separate check) for travel and mileage for the ones that are not in the area.
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when the judge orders for the inmates to be brought to the office, that is what is done. the inmate is accompanied by a deputy. other patients say the feel safer when deputy is here because in mental health something is going to happen. again, the judge wants them brought to the office then that is exactly what happens. if a patient has an issue, they have a right to let us know. to date, not 1 issue has been raised in a negative manner concerning inmates. if at anytime an issue is brought up concerning inmates, then the matter will be delt with by the ordering judge.
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also, different days different patients. of course we would not schedule anyone, including inmates, that are victims of rape. example. inmate that is a rapist is not going to be scheduled in the same day as a rape victim is scheduled. That is not good practice. that is why we go above and beyond for each and every patient. we understand that not all providers follow this rather mental health or primary care. our providers have a mission and that mission is strictly followed...period. so in our case, it is good practice.
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I mentioned this to one of my provider's who said initially the judge had ordered some inmates to the office but that he (client) refused to do it during open business hours due to those reasons, he said he would do it but that his extra extended time would be billed and that they would cover the charges if he had to re-arrange any of his patient's. They decided it was better for everyone to go to the facility. The judge is only going to order them to the place of business if an arrangement with the provider is already noted, civilian's are never put in danger (deputy or not, it's still a risk and not only to physical harm) intentionally. It could be that particular county doesn't reimburse the provider for travel/mileage maybe? I guess if the provider's patient's don't mind it or haven't complained I guess that's lucky.