MSHMC Physicians Group Billing Service

I had a bill show up and called and was told it was taken care of. Later I got a bill from a collection agency so I called again. I spoke to a supervisor who told me this was an error and had already been taken care of. Later I got a credit report showing a collection agency had filed a report that I had an open collection for this bill. I have been trying to talk to someone and can't. I am retired military, retired from a state agency and have medicare. I have never in my life received a medical bill. I am going to end up sueing someone because I have had an excellent credit rating my entire life.

I am VERY frustrated with the fact that I cannot find a phone # to contact either online or on the bill to pay the bill. Also, the bill doesn't allow for credit card payment...and that is how our health savings account is handled...they issue us a credit card.

Review: I am having errors to my billing. I have recieved bills for over lapping service dates. It seems I'm being charged twice for the same service. I'm also being billed over $300 for a consultant with a speech therapist because the bill is coded as if testing occured when it did not. I have called the medical center more than once asking if I can get 1 itemized bill showing exactly what service was performed, on what date and how much my insurance covered. They are refusing to send me 1 bill with all the charges and have threatened to send my account into collections. My insurance company has said they paid all of the second bill so I'm concerned about paying the bill unnecessarily.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive 1 clear, itemized bill for all services with an explanation of what the service was.

Business

Response:

September 10, 2014Dear [redacted],This letter is in response to the complaint filed by [redacted] regarding her son, [redacted]’s account.Penn State Hershey separates the billing into two components; a physician bill and a facility fee. Outpatient visits typically have separate billing for both these components. Therapy visits are billed only for facility services as the staff that perform the services belong to the facility cost center.The physician bill is sent to the guarantor on one bill for all dates of service. The facility bill is sent to the guarantor on one bill per date of service. This is why we are unable to produce one statement with the detail of each service.Please see the below dates of Service detail below:[redacted]’s contract with Penn State Hershey is based on the Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) method. This is the government’s method of payment for outpatient services for the Medicare program. It is a system in which outpatient services with similar costs and clinic indications are grouped together and a set payment amount is paid, regardless of the charge amount from the facility.On the date of service 3/18/14, our facility fee charge was $80.00, however based on the APC schedule, the allowable amount for this charge is $161.28. This is why there is an insurance payment of $161.28 and the deductible balance is $80.00. The reimbursement methodology does not impact the patient co-pay, co-insurance or deductible amounts as specified in the patient’s insurance contract.The therapy visit on 3/26/14 is for the evaluation of oral & pharyngeal swallowing function. The therapist has extensive notes to support this charge, which are available to [redacted] through the medical records department.The therapy visit on 4/24/14 is for the treatment of swallowing dysfunction and/or oral function for feeding.Certainly we can supply [redacted] with copies of the billing statements and detailed explanations of each code used. If she would like the supporting documentation completed by the physician and/or therapist, she will need to complete the request through medical records. They can be reached at ###-###-####.We understand that medical bills can be overwhelming and have several options available to patients including a budget plan and financial assistance program. If [redacted] would like to discuss these options further, I would be more than happy to assist her. My direct telephone number is###-###-####. I will ensure that these bills do not age to a collection agency for an additional 30 days to allow time for [redacted] to contact me.Please let me know if you require additional information. Sincerely,Jennine KPatient Financial Services Manager