by Government Relations Staff
September 13, 2007 — Effective October 1, 2007, the Medicare program will allow psychologists and other Part B providers to charge patients for missed appointments. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the change in Medicare Program Change Request #5613.
Recognizing that these situations are missed business opportunities, CMS will allow providers to charge patients who do not attend their scheduled appointments under two conditions:
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The provider must have a clearly stated policy governing charges for missed appointments that applies to all patients, whether they are Medicare beneficiaries or not.
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Neither the provider nor the beneficiary can bill Medicare for the charge. Payment of the fee is an out-of-pocket expense for the patient. Local carriers will deny any claims for missed appointments billed to Medicare.