Part B Excess Charges

[infoseeker]

I have written 100's of Med Supp policies many being plan N. i have not encountered any issues regarding part B EXCESS Charges . I do see how G can be a better deal depending on the premium. Has anyone had issues or concerns regarding these excess charges? I know its only 15% that the client would have to pay for the excess charges which is minimal for a Dr Visit but if its a surgery it can be expensive.

 

[sman]

I have written 100's of Med Supp policies many being plan N. i have not encountered any issues regarding part B EXCESS Charges . I do see how G can be a better deal depending on the premium. Has anyone had issues or concerns regarding these excess charges? I know its only 15% that the client would have to pay for the excess charges which is minimal for a Dr Visit but if its a surgery it can be expensive.

It's really only 9.25% of the original Medicare approved amount. And considering that approximately 96% of all physicians accept Medicare Assignment, the odds are very slim that it will come into play. And you can always check to see if a doctor, hospital, facility, etc. accepts assignment by looking them up on the Medicare website.

Find & compare doctors, hospitals, & other providers | Medicare.gov

 

[bill3173]

One of my favorite med topics. I have this come up atleast 2x per year...had one recently that told the lady she owed more than 15%..and wanted to collect it right then. I was like what???. We got it straight pretty quick.

 

[DS4]

Has anyone had issues or concerns regarding these excess charges? I know its only 15% that the client would have to pay for the excess charges which is minimal for a Dr Visit but if its a surgery it can be expensive.

You might possibly see Big Foot first before you see a senior receive a bill for excess charges. The last excess charge bill I saw was back in the early 90's when many physicians didn't take Medicare assignment.

 

[Team Manning]

Yep, this always comes up with my clients as well. Does anyone on here know where to find the data that explains the %'s of docs accepting Medicare assignment?

 

[sman]

Yep, this always comes up with my clients as well. Does anyone on here know where to find the data that explains the %'s of docs accepting Medicare assignment?

I posted this in another thread. According to the article, 96% of physicians accept assignment.

http://kff.org/medicare/issue-brief...e-patients-when-receiving-physician-services/

 

[GoPokes]

I had it happen to a customer once, the excess charge was about $10.

 

[G.Gordon]

Interesting subject. How come I've never heard of excess charges before? Is this a real problem. I'm sick over this.

 

[GreenSky]

I had it happen to a customer once, the excess charge was about $10.

And I bet the doctor did accept payment directly from Medicare and the supplement and then billed the $10. Illegally, of course.

Rick

 

[sman]

Interesting subject. How come I've never heard of excess charges before? Is this a real problem. I'm sick over this.

Makes you rethink your entire life, doesn't it?