Hospital Receivables Service - Question and Answer

Question and Answer

Jack's Back!

Each month Jack Fischer will address your specific receivables-related questions. If you would like to submit a question, send an e-mail to him.

Q. Which parent is legally responsible for minor children's medical services?

A. Texas is considered a "Community Property" state, which makes both parents equally responsible for their dependent's services. If you receive a divorce decree that indicates one of the parents is deemed responsible, you may choose to hold that parent as guarantor. However, we recommend you bill the parent who presented the minor child for services. Unless the provider was included in and party to the divorce decree, any issues of responsibility need to be challenged by the parents in a civil cause.

Q. How do we protect ourselves when there is a third-party payor involved?

A. In Texas, you have the protection of filing a hospital lien under Ch. 55.003 of the Texas Property Code. The lien is valid against both the third party payor and any legal counsel the parent may have retained. We recommend that the business office and medical records departments have an open line of communication regarding any service that may be third-party payable: I.E., MVA's, slip-n-falls. The sooner you file and notify the payors or legal counsel of the lien, the better.

Q. How can we get insurance companies to pay our claims faster and according to the schedule of benefits?

A. In Texas, the Texas Insurance Code provides Article 21.55 (Commercial Payors) or House Bill (HB) 610 (Managed Care Payors) to help you. Each has specific regulations regarding timely processing and paying of your claims and gives the provider the added power to add interest to unpaid claims. If you would like more information on either of the articles, drop me a line and I'll explain the details of putting a payor on notice.