Summary
1. DO NOT ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT
2. USE A DOCUMENT THAT OTHER PROVIDERS ARE ALREADY USING CALLED THE ADVANCED BENEFICIARY NOTICE.
Analysis
All providers in the healthcare industry are facing cuts and will have to make hard decisions in the next few months. Doctors can do what many have already done. Do not accept assignment and bill medicare non assigned and the patient will get the payment and the doctor can bill his charge and demand full payment. Most providers are already making this clear to their patients that they will be responsible for more and more of their healthcare.
Another option is the advanced beneficiary notice that came into effect some two years ago. It's a document that when filled out properly says we will bill medicare for the allowed amount and accept assignment; however, we will not accept medicare's allowed amount as payment in full. If you notify the patient on this form of the additional amount they will be responsible for, you may charge the patient the difference and still accept assignment.
This will impact all healthcare providers and specifically their patients. It will cause a reaction from the patients that may cause Congress to reconsider at some future date. It is imperative that medicare educate its beneficiaries. However it has always been left to the providers to do the education.
