This is a third installment in my Payers and CPT codes series.
In this installment we will look at the payer Empire Plan (Light Blue card). For this payer UHC is the third party administrator and handles all administrative duties.
Now I am sure you know that when you see a patient with this type of insurance, there is a $20 copay for the office visit. However, not many providers know that there is also another fee for another service, if that services is performed on the same date.
The following will help you to collect the correct amount of patient responsibility from the patient, on the day of services are rendered, and not wait until the claim is processed, which could be 14 or more days; thus increasing your cash flow and reduce your outstanding A/Rs.
In this scenario, you have a new patient coming in to see an allergist for an unspecified allergic reaction:
Code 1: 99204 or 99203 – NEW PATIENT Patient responsibility- $20
Simple.
Ok, now the patient also has not taken any antihistamines in at least the last week and would like to do prick allergy testing , cpt code 2: 95004.
According to UHC, the third party administrator for this plan, 95004- is considered a separate (diagnostice) procedure if performed on the same day, therefore there is also an additional co payment of $20 that is attributed to the patient responsibility.
So, lets review- new patient code 99204 or 99203 w/25 ,a code 95004 for skin testing – patient copay $20 for the office visit and $20 for the prick allergy testing.
Since I already know this in advance, I have a separate form that I give to patients when they arrive to the office, BEFORE performing the procedure.
Giving the patients the option of either doing the prick testing or sending them for blood work (no additional fee when they on that day, if dont in the outside lab)
If you have any other further questions, please feel free to contact me via email or phone, listed on my about me page, or via my LINKEDIN account or my Facebook page.
Until next time!
KR2 Medical Billing 