Advanced Search

Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Reader Question:

Does Ability to Bill the Patient Expire?

Published on Mon Mar 05, 2012

Question: Is there a time limit on when you can bill a patient for their balance due after the insurance company processes the claim? For example, if the patient still owes a balance (according to insurance's allowed charges) after two or three years, are we able to still bill the patient?Colorado SubscriberAnswer: There is no national regulation that limits when you can bill a patient. You should check your state's laws, however, to ensure there is nothing specific to your area that places a time limit on when you can bill a patient. You should also check your payer contracts to be sure there is no stipulation you have agreed to by signing as a participating provider.Keep in mind: Just because there is no time limit, that doesn't mean billing a patient for the first time three years after she had a procedure or service is the best thing to [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

View All