Medical Billing Forum

Billing => Billing => : Sophrosyne September 16, 2011, 07:18:47 PM

: Medicare says it pays 80% but only pays 55%
: Sophrosyne September 16, 2011, 07:18:47 PM
Hello all! Very excited to be joining this forum as I am a self-trained biller with few resources other than my own determination!
So I've noticed a strange thing. Medicare has always told us that it pays 80% after the patient's deductible; however, in actuality, it only pays 55% of the Medicare allowed amount. Most of our Medicare patients have a supplimental policy which then pays 45%. But we had one patient with only Medicare and it still paid only 55%.
An actual example: for a 90806, Medicare currently allows $87.42. Of that, Medicare pays us $48.08 (and this is after the patient's deductible has been met). Then the secondary pays $39.34.
I can't help but wonder if I'm doing something terribly wrong...
Any ideas? Thanks a million!
: Re: Medicare says it pays 80% but only pays 55%
: PMRNC September 16, 2011, 07:20:25 PM
Mental health is not 80% it was 50% and will be raised 5% over the next few years due to parity laws. This year it's 55%
: Re: Medicare says it pays 80% but only pays 55%
: Sophrosyne September 16, 2011, 07:35:54 PM
Wow, that explains a lot.
And such a quick response too! No wonder you're a Hero Moderator!  ;D
Thanks and have a great weekend!
: Re: Medicare says it pays 80% but only pays 55%
: PMRNC September 17, 2011, 10:31:53 AM
Your welcome :)