Practice Management Alert

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Copayment Responsibility for Children

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Question: Who is responsible for copayments and coinsurance for services rendered to minors when the adult who brings the child in for treatment is not the policyholder, such as a grandparent or a divorced parent who's not financially responsible for the medical bills?

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: Whoever brings the child in for the visit is responsible to pay at the time, unless another arrangement has been made with the office beforehand. For example, if it is a divorce situation and the father is the insurance subscriber and responsible for the children's medical bills but the mother is bringing the child in for the visit, it should be determined before the office visit how copayments and coinsurance payments will be paid.
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