Twist on HIPAA process...

[Frank13]

Here is the situation ... I owe a hospital bill for a medicare co-payment from about a year ago. I know that the amount due is valid. I had a similar situation with the same OC a few years back and reached a settlement in full which I paid. At that time I had not discovered CB and ended up with a paid collection that stuck on my reports for the full 6 years. I do not want to make the same mistake again now that I am better educated.

 

I suspect that the OC will accept a similar settlement on this account as well. What I would like to do is propose a settlement with the OC and assuming that they accept send the payment with the HIPAA letter with a modified insert A something to the effect of "Enclosed please find my remittance of ($___) for payment in full of this account as agreed in our settlement agreement."

 

Of course, my hope is that they will accept a settlement as payment in full and I will get a deletion through the HIPAA process ... any thoughts as to whether or not this will work???? Any modifications I should make, or should I not even try? TIA!

[Why Chat]

Here is the situation ... I owe a hospital bill for a medicare co-payment from about a year ago. I know that the amount due is valid. I had a similar situation with the same OC a few years back and reached a settlement in full which I paid.Was this a medicare copay also?? At that time I had not discovered CB and ended up with a paid collection that stuck on my reports for the full 6 years. I do not want to make the same mistake again now that I am better educated.

 

I suspect that the OC will accept a similar settlement on this account as well. What I would like to do is propose a settlement with the OC and assuming that they accept send the payment with the HIPAA letter with a modified insert A something to the effect of "Enclosed please find my remittance of ($___) for payment in full of this account as agreed in our settlement agreement."

 

Of course, my hope is that they will accept a settlement as payment in full and I will get a deletion through the HIPAA process ... any thoughts as to whether or not this will work???? Any modifications I should make, or should I not even try? TIA!

Well, you can try, however you are referring to WHAT settlement agreement??

If you are talking about a discounted medicare copay, I can give you no advice as it is my understanding that HC providers are NOT allowed to discount any medicare copays unless the patient qualifies under the low income guidelines for abatement of copays.

 

If, you DO qualify under the medicare guidelines for reduced copays ( and reduced Monthly charges) then you should contact medicare to see what ( if anything) your copay should be.

 

Otherwise, pay it in full with insert "a" and follow the directions as to the endorsement on the money order etc.