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. Viewers may send email or write Linda Brandwin at 5500 Single Oak Hill Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.

How should I follow-up on dead father-in-law's bill?
May 16, 2003

Q: My father-in-law died several months ago. My mother-in-law just received a $500 bill for the full charges from his physician's office. She said she doesn't understand it because she thought that Medicare would have paid it. But she paid it anyway because she just didn't want to deal with it. She is still grieving and in no state of mind to pursue this. How should I proceed?

A: The first thing you should do is get the doctor's bill and call Medicare. Your mother-in-law might have to grant permission to have Medicare discuss the bill with you. If Medicare withholds the billing information from you, explain how you are helping your mother-in-law with this bill since her husband has passed away. Perhaps they will accept verbal permission from her. However, don't be surprised if your mother-in-law needs to send them a written release of information. Hopefully, there will be no problem and they will give the necessary information to you since you are a family member.

Give Medicare your father-in-law's Medicare ID number, the date of service, the amount of the bill, and the name of the doctor. Ask if they have the claim and if it has been processed. If it was paid by Medicare, ask the date the check was issued, the check amount, the check account number, and if and when the check was cashed.

Now call the physician's office. If Medicare does not have the claim ask the office to resubmit the claim.

If Medicare paid the claim, give all of the check information to the doctor's billing department.

Ask for a reimbursement of the money your mother-in-law sent. It does not make any difference whatsoever if Medicare has paid this claim or if this claim needs to be resubmitted to Medicare, this doctor's office may not keep the check your mother-in-law sent to them. Tell them you expect them to send the reimbursement check to your mother-in-law immediately. Tell them you will stay on the phone while they verify this information so there will be no confusion. Ask for the person's name you are speaking to and ask when your mother-in-law can expect to receive that check. And remind your mother-in-law not to pay any medical bills until after she receives her Medicare Explanation of Benefits and to only pay the amount the EOB says is her responsibility.