|
 |
 |
 |
|
Linda
Brandwin, R.N.
|
 |
Linda
Brandwin
is a registered nurse and a medical billing
and claims specialist. For the past 10 years
she has worked directly with insurance companies
to give advice and guidance to the health care
consumer.
Readers may send email
or write Linda Brandwin at 5500 Single Oak Hill
Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.
|
Some
insurance companies use calendar year, others use fiscal
year
Aug 20, 2004
Q:
In
one of your previous columns you mentioned that most
insurance companies use the calendar year rather than
a fiscal year to calculate their coverage and deductibles.
I agree that accounting could be easier if everyone
used the same period of time. However, my primary insurance
uses the calendar year, and my secondary insurance which
is Tricare, formally Champus, uses the fiscal year which
starts on October 1st and ends on September 30th. Tricare
is one of the largest medical insurance companies.
A:
You
are absolutely correct. Tricare is one of the largest
companies being that they serve military personal and
their families. And I was surprised that they use the
fiscal year of October 1st through September 30th. Thank
you for bringing this to my attention.
I
called Tricare to find out the reason why they do not
use the calendar year for their calculation of coverage.
The first person put me on hold to speak to another
person, that person put me on hold to speak to another
representative, and the third person said that Tricare
uses the fiscal year "because that is what they
have always done." A fourth person called me back
and explained that Tricare was a government entitlement
program and, therefore, mandated by the government to
use their fiscal year. Some policies have deductibles
and co-pays, others do not.
If
you have two different medical insurances and they each
use different calendar years, double check your claims
to make sure the benefits are being paid and coordinated
properly. Some secondary insurance policies may have
deductibles or waiting periods, some don't. Remember,
the dates of services of your medical claims will be
your best tool for sorting through your bills. All medical
claims are paid according to the date of service, not
the date the claims are processed nor the date you receive
your explanation of benefits, nor the date the health
care provider receives his payments.
|
mvHealth
Advertising Directory
|
|
|
Arthritis
Specialists
Martin Morell, M.D.
Board Certified Rheumatologist
Terry L. Smith, FNP-C
Judith A. Balch, FNP-C
Services
Lab Services, Infusion
Suite, X-Ray Suite
122 Business Park Drive,
Suite One
Utica, NY
315.724.5353
|
|
|
|
Great
Lakes Dental
We are pleased to announce
we have renewed our
partipation with
Guardian
DentalGuard Preferred
Call
today for an appointment
315.336.0494
107 E. Chestnut St,
Rome,
in
the Chestnut Commons
|
|
|
|
Digestive
Disease Medicine of
Central New York, L.L.P.
Specializes in All
digestive problems and
Cancer Prevention.
For more information
Contact your family
physician
If you do no thave a
physician, you may call
to make an appointment
110 Business Park Dr.
New Hartford
315.624.7000
301 Genesee St, Oneida
315.363.9183
|
|
|
|
John
N. Kalil
Attorney At Law
Over 28 years of
quality legal services.
Free Office Consulation
289 Genesee St
Utica, Ny
315.797.7959
|
|
|
|
|
ASPEN
DENTAL
Smile more this
holiday season
Save up to $600 on new
dentures
with our premium comfidents
dentures.
Call
today
1.877.ASPEN49
(1.877.277.3649)
Now Accepting New Patients
in Utica
|
|
|
|
LautheranCare
Rehabilition,
inside and out
Its what's inside that
makes us special
108 Utica Road
Clinton, NY
315.853.5515
|
|
|
|
Mohawk
Valley Heart Institute
Good for your heart,
Close to home
Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare
and St. Elizabeths Medical
Center
|
|
|
|
|
To
Advertise
Here
Call
315.792.5043
|
|
Weight
Watchers
Watch
Yourself Change
Introducing our
Turn Around Program
1.877.7.LOSE.IT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
  
|
