lpyrtle
Contributor
Can a doctor only accept insurance payments as payment in full from government and non goverment insurances for all patients? 
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Wiki Balance Billing Patient
- Thread starter lpyrtle
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btadlock1
Guest
Can a doctor only accept insurance payments as payment in full from government and non goverment insurances for all patients?
Technically, no..they may also accept copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, and they may bill for non-covered services, so long as those services were rendered and documented appropriately. That means that you've got an ABN for Medicare patients, and that the services have been applied to the patient's responsibility on the EOB (No billing patients for services that denied due to coding errors.) Doctors may also treat self-pay patients, and are free to offer discounted services to them, if they are in financial need.
You may not bill a patient for contractual adjustments, or any other amount that the insurer deems a 'write off' - like bundled charges, for example. Hope that helps!