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March 2013

Letter explains patient charges for preventive visits that include medical treatment

We’re offering a customizable letter on web-DENIS to help explain to patients why they may be responsible for copayments or deductibles connected with their preventive care visits.

We know that Blues members and other patients often question being billed for preventive care visits, because they expect these to be covered 100 percent. But visits that ultimately include treatment of a medical condition may require patient copayments or deductibles for the care that you do not code as preventive.

We’ve posted a letter to web-DENIS that you may customize for your practice and give to patients to explain your billing responsibilities and their potential copayments in these situations. If you choose to use the letter, we hope it will help educate your patients and reduce the number of questions you receive.

You’ll find the letter on web-DENIS:

  • Click on BCBSM Newsletters and Resources.
  • Click on Newsletters and Resources.
  • Click on Clinical Criteria and Resources.
  • You’ll find the link Letter to explain patient charges for preventive visits under the Resources heading.
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