PracticalTip: Medicare Reminder
July 4, 2008
Something to remember when you have a patient who comes in as a cash patient; or under private insurance but later becomes eligible for Medicare. When you enter the new insurance information, make sure that you check to see if the name you have been using prior to Medicare days is the same as what is on their card. You must have their name entered just as it is on their Medicare card, to prevent the claim from being rejected.
Example: a patient comes in and fills out paperwork as “John M. Doe” and this is what you have them listed as in your computer; and it was acceptable for their private insurance claims. However, their legal name is, and the Medicare card reads “Jonathan Mark Doe” you must file under the eligible name. An incomplete or incorrect name is a common reason for rejected claims with Medicare.
Another PracticalTip from the PracticalCA!
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