HITECH-HIPAA Omnibus Rule The HITECH-HIPAA Omnibus Rule, effective September 23, 2013, clarified requests for restrictions of Protected Health Information (PHI) more clearly than ever before. This new rule requires that “a covered entity must agree to the request of an individual to restrict disclosure of protected health information about the individual to a health plan…
Right to Request Restrictions Since its initial adoption, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule has granted individuals the right to request restrictions regarding the use and disclosure of their protected health information (PHI) for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO). The law also grants individuals the right to request…
Obtaining Patient Acknowledgment Some carriers (with whom the doctor may or may not participate) may not allow a particular service or product the patient needs, or their fee schedule assigned to the service or product may be far below the doctor’s costs. Depending on the doctor’s contract with the carrier, the patient may be able…
This quick tutorial provides an overview of the circumstances that may cause a patient to request a self-pay option. Knowing what they can ask and how the clinic can be in compliance is vital. We will address questions such as what if the doctor is out of network, and what about Medicare, and does it…
This tutorial will walk staff members through the process of assigning the patient portion at the point of charge entry. Knowing which fields within the billing software that impact reimbursement is vital for a smooth collection process. Even more important, is the need to understand payer fee schedules and allowed amounts as the clinic enables…
Streamline Your Collection Process Charge entry is only as good as your practice management set up. When entering procedures and supplies, it is necessary to identify items that would be considered patient responsibility. This is the only way you can streamline your collection process and increase revenue in your clinic. Insurance Charges Assigning patient responsibility…