Re: cash practices and Medicare

[Guest guest]

Right as far as I know. Pretty much the same for patients coming to you for cash and using their insurance at the lab, radiology, etc.Deborah

 

Hi folks, I'm a cash only practice and have my patients sign a Medicare Opt Out agreement.  This doesn't preclude my cash-only Medicare patients from getting prescriptions filled or lab orders performed does it?

I presume it's a point of service deal: that I can write for the scripts or the labs and Medicare will pay because it's between Medicare and the lab or pharmacy.   I know there are huge fines for mistakes here, so just thought I'd double check.

thanks!Anne

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that point , but I have formally opted out too. And I have my new-to-the practice Medicare and Medicaid patients sign the Private Agreement. Today I had my first Medicare patients, so I kinda had a moment of wondering if I was doing the right thing by prescribing meds, and ordering labs. I don't want to get on Medicare's bad side.

thanks everyone!  Anne

 

Anne,When you say that you have your patient sign a Medicare Opt Out agreement, I think you are referring to a Medicare Private Contract. Have you formally opted out of Medicare? Because I think you need to be formally Opted Out of Medicare before you can legally have patients enter into a Medicare Private Contract with you. 

SetoSouth Pasadena, CA

 

Hi folks, I'm a cash only practice and have my patients sign a Medicare Opt Out agreement.  This doesn't preclude my cash-only Medicare patients from getting prescriptions filled or lab orders performed does it?

I presume it's a point of service deal: that I can write for the scripts or the labs and Medicare will pay because it's between Medicare and the lab or pharmacy.   I know there are huge fines for mistakes here, so just thought I'd double check.

thanks!Anne

[Guest guest]

Anne,I'm opted out of Medicare, too. Medicare should still reimburse your Medicare patients' medications and tests just the same as if a Medicare-participating provider ordered them. The only difference is that Medicare won't reimburse for any services that you provide. SetoSouth Pasadena, CA

Thanks for that point , but I have formally opted out too. And I have my new-to-the practice Medicare and Medicaid patients sign the Private Agreement. Today I had my first Medicare patients, so I kinda had a moment of wondering if I was doing the right thing by prescribing meds, and ordering labs. I don't want to get on Medicare's bad side.

thanks everyone! Anne

Anne,When you say that you have your patient sign a Medicare Opt Out agreement, I think you are referring to a Medicare Private Contract. Have you formally opted out of Medicare? Because I think you need to be formally Opted Out of Medicare before you can legally have patients enter into a Medicare Private Contract with you.

SetoSouth Pasadena, CA

Hi folks, I'm a cash only practice and have my patients sign a Medicare Opt Out agreement. This doesn't preclude my cash-only Medicare patients from getting prescriptions filled or lab orders performed does it?

I presume it's a point of service deal: that I can write for the scripts or the labs and Medicare will pay because it's between Medicare and the lab or pharmacy. I know there are huge fines for mistakes here, so just thought I'd double check.

thanks!Anne