Anyone else having trouble with the invoices/receipts that doctors' offices are now providing?

[Bill Presson]

Is anyone else having trouble with the invoices/receipts that doctor's offices are now providing? Most don't give the date of service any more, just an invoice date, which they will say is always the date of service. And many are now just getting a check, having it paid electronically and giving the check back as the receipt! How is everyone setting the standards for what they will accept and what they won't? We're getting a lot of pressure from participants because the doctors just don't give the standard information any more.

[Guest JTrini8302]

I haven't seen docs in our area use receipts lacking in information. The only thing I can suggest is for a) the member asking specifically for information, even if the office staff member has to handwrite the DOS on the receipt and initial it; b) waiting for the EOB, or c) if their carrier has web access to claims, would a screen print of their claim be acceptable to you?

[Bill Presson]

We've suggested the participant's ask for the info, but you know how successful that usually is.

A lot of the health coverage has web access, but a big part of the problem is for additional services that might not ever be filed with insurance.

Thanks for the response.

[Guest JerseyGirl]

We are not experiencing a problem such as the one you describe, so perhaps it is a regional problem. Do you have any literature that describes in detail just exactly what is considered acceptable documentation? If plan participants know exactly what they need to provide in order to be reunited with their money, I believe they will be more inclined to see that the doctor’s office provides them with it. The receptionists are just being lazy and the patients are allowing them to be.

[Bill Presson]

Thanks for the suggestions.