Myth: The carrier told me to bill this way, so it must be correct.
Truth: It is important to try to verify anything the customer services person tells you with the carrier’s written policy. If that is not possible, always document what you were told, the date of your conversation with customer service, and the complete name of the person with whom you spoke. Remember, when a customer service representative is evaluated on his or her performance, it is on how quickly—not how accurately—he or she answers your questions.
These are just some examples of incorrect billing information. By becoming more aware of Medicare and individual third-party reimbursement policies, physicians and their staff can master the details that explain which codes or services are payable. It will serve your practice well to stay educated about all coding and billing rules.
If you have any questions about coding, contact Melesia Tillman, CPC, CCP at (404) 633-3777, ext. 820, or [email protected].
