Practice Management Alert

You Be the Expert:

Copayment Responsibility for Children

Published on Tue Jan 01, 2002

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.

Question: Who is responsible for copayments and coinsurance for services rendered to minors when the adult who brings the child in for treatment is not the policyholder, such as a grandparent or a divorced parent who's not financially responsible for the medical bills?

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: Whoever brings the child in for the visit is responsible to pay at the time, unless another arrangement has been made with the office beforehand. For example, if it is a divorce situation and the father is the insurance subscriber and responsible for the children's medical bills but the mother is bringing the child in for the visit, it should be determined before the office visit how copayments and coinsurance payments will be paid.

Practice Management Alert

Use Documentation in Appeal to Medicare Fair Hearing Officer
When your Medicare Part B carrier conducts a review of your appealed claim and upholds [...]

Math Magic:
Find Amount in Controversy for Medicare Appeal

The Medicare Part B appeals process requires appellants to begin at the first review step [...]

You Be the Expert:
Copayment Responsibility for Children
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...]

Focus on Reasons for Denial To Make Follow-Up Easier
Although practice managers and billers agree that following up on claim denials helps ensure a [...]

Collecting Medicare Deductibles in Advance
Question: I have been told that it is wise to collect deductibles before patients see [...]

Free Anthrax Coding Report on Web
Physicians and other healthcare professionals who provide services to any patients with actual or possible [...]

Reader Question:
Getting Paid When Insurer Reimburses Patient
Question: My practice filed a claim with the benefits assigned to us. But, the insurance [...]

Reader Question:
Charging for Meet-and-Greet Appointments
Question: Can an obstetrics practice bill for initial physician interviews, or so-called meet and greet [...]

Reader Question:
Obtaining Updated Fee Schedules
Question: Experts say that practices should have updated fee schedules from their payers to make [...]

View All