Can we QMB Medicaid patient for coins and deductible ?
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds all Medicare providers that they may not bill beneficiaries enrolled in the QMB program for Medicare cost-sharing (such charges are known as “balance billing”). QMB is a Medicare Savings Program that exempts Medicare beneficiaries from Medicare cost-sharing liability
The QMB program is a State Medicaid benefit that covers Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, subject to State payment limits. (States may limit their liability to providers for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments under certain circumstances.) Medicare providers may not balance bill QMB individuals for Medicare cost-sharing, regardless of whether the State reimburses providers for the full Medicare cost-sharing amounts. Further, all original Medicare and MA providers –not only those that accept Medicaid–must refrain from charging QMB individuals for Medicare cost-sharing. Providers who inappropriately balance bill QMB individuals are subject to sanctions
Please ensure that you and your staffs are aware of the federal balance billing law and policies regarding QMB individuals. Contact the Medicaid Agency in the States in which you practice to learn about ways to identify QMB patients in your State and procedures applicable to Medicaid reimbursement for their Medicare cost-sharing. If you are a Medicare Advantage provider, you may also contact the MA plan for more information. Finally, all Medicare providers should ensure that their billing software and administrative staff exempt QMB individuals from Medicare costsharing billing and related collection efforts.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds all Medicare providers that they may not bill beneficiaries enrolled in the QMB program for Medicare cost-sharing (such charges are known as “balance billing”). QMB is a Medicare Savings Program that exempts Medicare beneficiaries from Medicare cost-sharing liability
The QMB program is a State Medicaid benefit that covers Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, subject to State payment limits. (States may limit their liability to providers for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments under certain circumstances.) Medicare providers may not balance bill QMB individuals for Medicare cost-sharing, regardless of whether the State reimburses providers for the full Medicare cost-sharing amounts. Further, all original Medicare and MA providers –not only those that accept Medicaid–must refrain from charging QMB individuals for Medicare cost-sharing. Providers who inappropriately balance bill QMB individuals are subject to sanctions
Please ensure that you and your staffs are aware of the federal balance billing law and policies regarding QMB individuals. Contact the Medicaid Agency in the States in which you practice to learn about ways to identify QMB patients in your State and procedures applicable to Medicaid reimbursement for their Medicare cost-sharing. If you are a Medicare Advantage provider, you may also contact the MA plan for more information. Finally, all Medicare providers should ensure that their billing software and administrative staff exempt QMB individuals from Medicare costsharing billing and related collection efforts.