ACCOUNTABILITY: Taking responsibility for the patients we serve and the services we provide

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STANDARD OF CONDUCT: BILLING AND CODING

OUR COMMITMENT

Harris Health recognizes that accurate documentation, coding, and billing is a critical component to providing quality healthcare and obtaining proper reimbursement. Therefore, Harris Health is committed to timely billing and coding that accurately reflects the services ordered and performed and is in accordance with all federal and state laws and regulations.

INFORMATION TO KNOW

It is a violation of the Federal False Claims Act and the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act to knowingly submit claims for payment with false or untrue information. Both the federal and state false claims acts include provisions to protect whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting. Harris Health also protects whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting false claims. For more information see the following Harris Health policies:

POLICIES TO KNOW

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

To document accurate, timely, and complete patient information regarding the services that were provided as part of a patient’s care and treatment.
To only bill for services or items that are medically necessary and that are documented in a patient’s medical record. Harris Health will not knowingly submit for payment or reimbursement a claim that is false, fraudulent, or fictitious.
To waive co-payments and deductibles in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Harris Health policies.
To respond to all questions and complaints regarding a patient’s bill in a timely, direct, and honest manner.

FAQs

A co-worker, who has responsibility to review and resolve billing edits, has mentioned that she applies certain modifiers because she knows that if she doesn’t, the hospital will not get paid. Should I let someone know?

Yes, you should contact the Office of Corporate Compliance to report this situation. If medical documentation does not support the addition of the modifier, Harris Health may need to repay all payments with the modifier that it had previously received.

Some of my family members are patients at the Harris Health clinic where I work. I would like to give them a “friends and family” discount and not require them to pay any co-pay or deductible and just accept whatever their insurance company will pay. Am I allowed to do this?

No. Medicare regulations expressly prohibit covered entities from waiving copayments or deductibles for any patient unless the patient meets certain indigent requirements.

STANDARD OF CONDUCT: BILLING AND CODING

OUR COMMITMENT

INFORMATION TO KNOW

POLICIES TO KNOW

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

FAQs

A co-worker, who has responsibility to review and resolve billing edits, has mentioned that she applies certain modifiers because she knows that if she doesn’t, the hospital will not get paid. Should I let someone know?

Some of my family members are patients at the Harris Health clinic where I work. I would like to give them a “friends and family” discount and not require them to pay any co-pay or deductible and just accept whatever their insurance company will pay. Am I allowed to do this?

STEWARDSHIP

INTEGRITY

RESPECT

ACCOUNTABILITY