Practice Management Alert

Question: I am unsure about a workers- compensation claim. The patient, a traveling business salesman, has insurance in New Jersey, but the injury occurred while he was on a work trip in Oregon. Whose billing rules should I follow for this claim: New Jersey-s, Oregon's or the federal government-s?

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: You-ll need to follow state rules when filing almost all workers- compensation claims. Each state has a unique set of rules, fee schedule, and setup for what providers the patient can see. As for which state's rules you should follow, focus on where the claim was first filed. If the patient filed in Oregon, follow the rules and fee schedule for Oregon; if he filed in New Jersey, follow the rules and fee schedule for New Jersey.
 
Remember: All workers- comp claims are governed by state laws, with two exceptions:
 - National rules govern workers- comp for federal employees.
 - Workers- comp for railroad workers is varied. Some states abide by national rules, but some states have their own rules and fee schedules for railroad workers.  
 
 -quot; The answers to the Reader Questions were provided and/or reviewed by Catherine Brink, CMM, CPC, president of HealthCare Resource Management Inc. in Spring Lake, N.J.