Get ready to charge Medicare patients - if you choose to - for missed appointments

Why This Topic Matters

The update affects whether practices can impose missed-appointment charges in a Medicare context and how those charges are handled if they appear on claims. It also highlights the need for consistent office policy across patient groups and the limitations of some payer rules.

Article Sections

1. Medicare policy update on missed appointments

   Summarizes the policy change and the source guidance referenced in the article. It also introduces the general context for practice billing and patient fees.

2. Claims processing response and denial handling

   Describes how carriers are instructed to respond when missed-appointment charges appear on claims. The section also notes the accompanying notice message referenced in the article.

3. Practical concerns for practice policy

   Discusses implementation concerns and how some consultants approach no-show policies across a practice. It also mentions related payer limitations and practice management considerations.