RE: Fee Discounting?

[Guest guest]

Regarding

discounting: I believe discounting

for some patients is considered by US Government as discounting for all (establishing

your actual fee level for Government program purposes). However, I know several physicians who

give standard discounts for payment in full at the time of service, and haven’t

been arrested yet. If you consistently

bill your official fee amount but don’t collect it all and then write off the

difference, you can still consider the original amount your official fee. Contact your medical association office

to obtain their legal opinion on this.

Wes

Bradford

-----Original

Message-----

From: Shaun MD

Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003

6:36 AM

To:

Subject: Re:

A couple of questions

As I understand it, you can be accused of medicare/medicaid fraud

for doing this. If you discount fees to some, why not all (including

m'caid/m'care)? At least I think that's how the government looks at

it. I think even the old " professional discount " to other docs

and families is wrong. However, I think you can bill them, quietly tell

them not to pay, then write it off.

I don't understand all the ins and outs so don't quote me to the

Court TV reporters.

ST

Shaun MD

Generations Health Care

931 Lincoln Street

Fort , CO

Fax:

-----

Original Message -----

From: Tim

Scroggins

To:

Sent: Sunday, October 26,

2003 10:34 AM

Subject:

A couple of questions

Greetings,

My

ideals of family practice began in my youth growing up in small Texas towns,

populations 5-10k. In these towns, the local doctors and dentists offered

free or discounted fees to the clergy and their families. My father is a

preacher.

Marketing

wise this seems a good idea, as the clergy have a lot of power with their

parishioners, making a referral base. And clergy are often, especially in

the rural south, not making a lot of money.

Question:

What do you think of this idea? Are there any problems legally with this?

(as in kickbacks?)

Also, I

have a problem with discounting my fees to insured patients, while sticking the

full bill to those uninsured. [yes, bias laden statement ] In the

past, I offered a cash discount to patients that paid their bill in full at the

time of service, making the fee similar to that of the insurance

companies. I am planning to accept credit cards, to help facilitate this.

Question:

Is there a legal problem with offering a cash discount? Am I shooting

myself in the foot with this thinking, and should I accept the full fee, as a

true reflection of the worth of my time?

Thank

you in advance for reading this and any replies,

Tim