Here’s what you should know:
1. The surgery center provided treatment for more than 450 veterans over the past two years that were initially billed through VA Choice, an embattled program that has been associated with payment issues since it was founded in 2014. In September, a VA Inspector General report outlined several problems with the VA medical system and lawmakers are debating reform.
2.The center has tried to recover payments from the VA and its third party payer Health Net for unpaid claims totaling more than $1 million. The VA mistakenly sent payments intended for the center to other providers.
3. As a last resort, the center sent letters to patients on Nov. 30 alerting them that they’ll receive a bill for the unpaid portion of their treatment if the VA doesn’t pay by Dec. 31, 2017.
4. The center enlisted the help of Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., to collect the unpaid claims. The center also urged the veterans to reach out to Mr. Gardner and the VA to resolve the issue.
5. A VA spokesperson said the problem was resolved on its end, and told interested parties to contact Health Net instead. Health Net declined to comment on the individual case, instead saying it “address[es] issues as they arise.”
More articles on coding, billing and collections:
One-third of millennials don’t budget for healthcare expenses: 5 payment trends to know
Creating a competitive edge at your facility: The patient experience
5 trends in national healthcare spending: Growth down overall, out-of-pocket spending up 3.9% to $352M
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.