Anesthesia Billing would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. With the start of a new year, this is the time to evaluate your practice and make changes as needed. Here are some areas we are asking you look at which will help you get your payments more quickly.
Additional Information Needed with Patient Charges
As the healthcare industry continues to change and the electronic world becomes more advanced, it is becoming more important we are given accurate complete patient information. If a patient member ID number is given to us incorrectly, the claims are rejected and not received by the insurance company. By the time we get correct information from the patient, this can create timely filing issues and possible write-offs for you. This also slows down the time you get your payments.
As a benefit to you in receiving quicker payments and less write-off amounts, we are asking you request your facilities send clear copies (front and back) of the patients’ insurance cards. This gives us accurate information along with addresses to send claims.
Kansas Providers – Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
BCBS of KS is now requiring the subscriber (policy holder) date of birth be entered on each claim. If the patient if the subscriber, we are given that information on the demographics page; however, if the subscriber is a person other than the patient, that information is not provided by the facilities. BCBS is rejecting claims that do not have the accurate subscriber date of birth submitted on claims. We then have to make phone calls trying to gather that information. This only delays how quickly you get your payments. To expedite this, we are requesting your facilities send the subscriber date of birth on the demographics page. This is information that is required on their claim as well, and only needs to be submitted to us on the demo. It is the start of a new year and a good time to evaluate processes and make changes as needed.
Charges Schedule
Now is a good time to look at your charge schedule and decide if you need to make any changes in what you are billing. If you determine you would like to make any kind of change, please contact Stephanie Kurtz via email at skurtz@anesthesiabilling.com, giving what change you would like to initiate and the effective date. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact her at (316) 281-3710.
Blue Cross Blue Shield – Kansas City
BCBS KS has sent out notification of case rate reimbursement changes to Preferred-Care Blue, Blue-Access, Blue Care, and Preferred-Care Plans for the following codes:
00810 – $220
00740 – $180
These changes will take effect for dates of service after April 30, 2013.
abinsights Contact Information
abinsights readers are invited to submit comments, questions, tips, and suggestions for articles on any subject related to billing, collections, coding, reimbursement, and compliance. Send to: Anesthesia Billing, Inc., P O Box 388, Newton, KS 67114-0388. Phone 316-281-3700. Fax 316-282-4322.
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Reasonable attempts have been made to be accurate. However, medical billing, collections, coding and compliance are part science, part art, and even experts sometimes differ. Neither Anesthesia Billing, Inc., the editors, publisher, contributors, or consultants warrant or guarantee the information contained will be applicable or appropriate in all situations. For information specific to your practice, consult a qualified professional.
The information included in this publication is provided, among other things, to alert you to legal developments and should not be considered legal advice. Specific questions about how this information affects your particular situation should be addressed to your attorney.
Editor: Philip Blann (pblann@anesthesiabilling.com).
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