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We're on a roll now. 3 newsletters in 3 months!
We hope to provide you with helpful information, and
are always looking for suggestions of items to
include. If you have suggestions for articles, items
you've written or other helpful web sites you would
like to see mentioned, please let us know. The best
way to communicate your ideas is via email. There's
an email link at the bottom of this page.
| Ambulance Billing Issues |
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Patient Names: Medicare has recently
tightened their edits on
patient names. From now on, the patient's first and
last name, along with their Medicare number must
match their Medicare card exactly. It is therefore
more important than ever to verify that a patient
gives you their full legal name. Of course, the best
option would be to look at their Medicare card,
although we understand this is not always possible.
Anything you can do to ensure accuracy in this area
will make our billing efforts more successful.
click here to see official
notice
Deceased Transports
Many of you have asked whether you can bill for
services provided to a patient who deceased before
transport. The following explains the Medicare rules
for various scenarios based on the Time of Death
Pronouncement:
Before Dispatch:
-- No payment
After Dispatch, before patient is loaded into the
ambulance:
-- Payment for a BLS transport,
no
mileage.
After pickup, prior to arrival at the receiving facility:
-- Medically necessary level of service plus actual
loaded miles.
Assist Agreements
Medicare states that even though two ambulance
providers were involved with a patient transport, as
far as they are concerned, only one transport took
place and only one provider can bill for that service.
For example, if your service initially met the patient
and began the transport, then handed them off to
another service, only one of you can bill for the
transport. The bill should include the total mileage for
both ambulance companies. Many of our clients find
themselves in this situation and have addressed it by
having an Assist Agreement in place which would
define how the billing provider will reimburse the
assisting provider. If you need additional information,
give us a call.
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| See you in Wenatchee |
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We will again have a booth in the exhibitor's area at
the WSAFC Annual Fire Chiefs Conference. We look
forward each year to seeing so many of our clients.
Remember, the exhibition area is only open Tuesday
evening (June 28) and all day Wednesday (June 29).
I won't say what
our 'give-away' will be this year, but I can promise
you it will be useful, unique and something everyone
will want. Hope to see you there!
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| Employee Profile |
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Lisa Rogalsky
- Billing Services Supervisor
Lisa has been with Systems
Design since 1996. She came on board with expertise
in medical office management. Her experience in the
medical insurance arena has made her invaluable as
we continue to grow. In 2004, Lisa was promoted to
Billing Services Supervisor, putting her in charge of
the day to day operations of the EMS billing services
we offer. If you have had the opportunity to talk
with her, I'm sure you will agree that she has that
rare talent of being able to combine professionalism
with a great sense of humor.
When Lisa is not at the office, she can be found
assisting in her children's activities or participating in
her martial arts training and teaching where she has
achieved the level of Cho Kyo Sa.
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| Classified Ads |
|
1989 Mercedes Benz 560SL
Classic Roadster $16,000
Excellent Condition
- V8 5.6 liter
- 128,000 miles
- Automatic Transmission
- AM/FM CD player
- Hard and Soft Tops
- Alloy Wheels
- Air Conditioning
For more information contact Roger
(360) 692-3755 or
(360) 692-5242 or
(800) 585-5242
email - RogerZ@SystemsDesignNW.com
Remember, as a subscriber to this newsletter, you
are entitled to place an advertisement free of
charge. Management (that's me) reserves the right
to remove this offer at any time in the future.
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| On the Lighter Side |
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While surfing the internet (probably on hold with
Medicare or DSHS), I stumbled upon a website called
Engrish.com
which points out many of the problems
associated with converting Japanese to English. I
came across this photo. Although not really a
translation problem, I thought many of you would be
happy that someone is looking out for your safety!
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| Phone Numbers |
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Please help us out. When giving out our phone
number to patients who have a question about their
bill, please use the following numbers. They ring
directly into the billing department so they will be
helped faster.
(360) 613-1627 or (800) 238-9398
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Roger A. Zegers, President
Welcome New Clients!
The following new clients have come on board over
the past several months. Thank you to all of our
current clients for spreading the word!
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety
visit
their web site
South Tongass Fire Department
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
(Alaska)
Pierce County Fire Dist No 18
(Orting, WA)
http://www.systemsdesignnw.com
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