Practice Management Alert

Question: My doctors want me to bill for supplies, such as surgical trays, that they use during in-office procedures. I was under the impression that I can't do so. Who is correct? Pennsylvania Subscriber Answer: The answer depends on the payer you're billing and the contract you have with that payer. If you perform office-based (non-hospital) procedures, most insurers include payment in the procedure's fee for supplies, such as needles, surgical trays, catheters, dressings, sutures, guides, scalpels, and puncture sets. Tip: Although Medicare and private payers consider most supply costs associated with procedures covered under the procedure's payment, private payers' reimbursement policies vary, so you should check with each of your payers. Facility difference: Payers normally reimburse facilities (such as hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers) directly for supply costs when your physician performs the procedure at the facility. But even though HCPCS codes exist for many of these items (such [...]