The business of caring for patients is affected by the new law, and IBC can help you to understand how this will affect your organization.
Billing for office visits — when cost-sharing is applicable, and when it is not
Over-the-counter prescriptions — some medications available without a prescription will require one for reimbursement purposes
Billing for office visits
For recommended preventive services billed separately from an office visit, may be applied to that visit. If such services are not billed separately from an office visit, and the primary purpose of the visit is the delivery of such item or service, then cost-sharing requirements may not be imposed with respect to the office visit.
However, for recommended preventive services not billed separately from an office visit, where the primary purpose of the office visit is not the delivery of that service, then cost-sharing may be applied to the office visit.
Over-the-counter prescriptions
Effective January 1, 2011, over-the-counter drugs and medicines will no longer qualify for reimbursement from health plan spending accounts. If you have patients with a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and you determine the patient needs an over-the-counter medicine (other than insulin and diabetic supplies), a prescription for the over-the-counter medicine is required for the patient to receive reimbursement for qualified medications made with funds from their health account.
Please consult these lists regularly, as they are projected to change from time to time.
OTC medications requiring a prescription:
acid controllers
allergy and sinus
antibiotic products
anti-diarrheal medications
anti-gas
anti-itch and insect bite
anti-parasitic treatments
baby rash ointments/creams
cold sore remedies
cough, cold and flu
digestive aids
feminine anti-fungal/anti-itch
hemorrhoid treatments
laxatives
motion sickness
pain relief
respiratory treatments
sleep aids and sedatives
stomach remedies
OTC medications and supplies that do not require a prescription:
adhesive bandages
braces and supports
catheters
contact lens supplies and solutions
contraceptives
denture adhesives
diagnostic tests and monitors
elastic bandages and wraps
first aid supplies
insulin and diabetic supplies
ostomy products
reading glasses
wheelchairs, walkers, canes
Fewer than 25 full-time employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000.
The prescription drug coverage program offered under Medicare.
A Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug program costs, such as premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.
A method of cost-sharing in a health insurance policy that requires a group member to pay a stated percentage of all remaining eligible medical expenses after the deductible amount has been paid.
These services are covered under reform at 100 percent meaning without copayment, and they are valued as helping to improve overall health and reduce health care expenses. They include child immunizations, breast/prostate/cervical/colon cancer screening, bone mass measurement, and routine physical exams.
A retroactive cancellation that treats the coverage as void from the time of enrollment or a cancellation that voids benefits previously paid before the cancellation.
Any condition, illness, or injury for which medical advice or treatment was recommended or received before a person obtains health insurance. Examples include diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Most health plans, even grandfathered ones, already may not deny coverage of or benefits to children under age 19 who have a pre-existing health condition; this extends to adults in 2014. Certain enrollment period limitations apply.
Part of traditional Medicare but offered through private insurance companies. MA plans can include a variety of health plans such as HMO or PPO, prescription drug plans, as well as wellness and prevention benefits. Approximately 10 million, or 25 percent of Medicare-eligible seniors are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.
A set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain plans, starting in 2014, including doctor office visits, hospitalizations, and prescriptions. Insurance policies must cover these benefits to be certified and offered in exchanges, and all Medicaid plans must cover these services by 2014.
An account that withholds pre-taxed income in reserve for health-related expenses. Expenses for over-the-counter medications and drugs (excluding insulin and doctor-prescribed medications) will no longer be a distribution used for qualified medical expenses, eligible for tax-free payment or reimbursement, effective January 2011.
An account that withholds pre-taxed income in reserve for health-related expenses. A tax penalty on distributions from HSAs that are not used for qualified medical expenses increases from 10 percent to 20 percent in 2011. Expenses for over-the-counter medications and drugs (excluding insulin and doctor-prescribed medications) will no longer be a distribution used for qualified medical expenses, eligible for tax-free payment or reimbursement.
An account that withholds pre-taxed income in reserve for health-related expenses. Expenses for over-the-counter medications and drugs (excluding insulin and doctor-prescribed medications) will no longer be a distribution used for qualified medical expenses, eligible for tax-free payment or reimbursement from any of these accounts, effective January 2011. A tax penalty on distributions from MSAs that are not used for qualified medical expenses increases from 15 to 20 percent of the amount includable in gross income.
An employee health spending account funded and owned by the employer. HRAs can be used to reimburse employees for certain qualified health services and expenses not covered by the company's health plan, including copayment, coinsurance, and deductibles. Funds remaining in the account at year-end go back to the employer. . Expenses for over-the-counter medications and drugs (excluding insulin and doctor-prescribed medications) will no longer be a distribution used for qualified medical expenses, eligible for tax-free payment or reimbursement.
A health plan under which an employer or group sponsor is financially responsible for paying plan expenses, including claims made by group plan members.
A gap in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage that, under reform, provides recipients not already receiving Medicare Extra Help who reach the gap, with a one-time rebate for biologic drug expenses at varying rates: $250 in 2010, 50 percent of gap expense coverage in 2011, and additional discounts in successive years, until the gap coverage phases down to 25% in 2020.
The reform law establishes financial assistance, on a sliding scale for individuals and families with incomes from 133 to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, to help people buy coverage through the exchanges.
A national or state-by-state marketplace where consumers and small businesses can shop simply and quickly for health insurance, comparing products and prices. Exchanges would work with state insurance departments to set and enforce insurance reforms and protections. If a public plan is offered, it would be included in the health exchange, along with private insurance plans.
Individual and group health plans issued on or before March 23, 2010 are “grandfathered” and do not have to comply with some of the provisions of the new law. If an existing health plan changes, however, it my lose its grandfathered status.
Generally determined by the Internal Revenue Service as one of 5 highest paid officers, a 10 percent stakeholders in a business, or among the top 25 percent of employees ranked by compensation within a business. Fully insured group plans are prohibited from establishing eligibility rules for coverage that favor highly compensated individuals. The benefits under such plans may not discriminate in favor of this group either. Grandfathered plans are exempt.
A substance made from a living organism or its products and is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of disease. Biological drugs include antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines.
A term used to describe the part of a provider or facility charge that is the financial responsibility of an insured person and/or his or her dependents. The term includes copayments (co-pays), coinsurance, and deductibles.
