Charging members for
non-covered services
For Commercial members, you may seek and collect payment from our member for
services not covered under the applicable benefit plan, provided you first
obtain the member’s written consent. Such consent must be signed and dated
by the member prior to rendering the specific service(s) in question. Retain a
copy of this consent in the member’s medical record. In those instances in
which you know or have reason to know that the service may not be covered
(as described below), the written consent also must: (a) include an estimate of
the charges for that service; (b) include a statement of reason for your
belief that the service may not be covered; and (c) in the case of a
determination by us that planned services are not covered services,
include a statement that UnitedHealthcare has determined that the service
is not covered and that the member, with knowledge of UnitedHealthcare’s
determination, agrees to be responsible for those charges.
For Medicare Advantage members, a Notice of Denial of Medical Coverage must be
provided to the member advising them when a service is not covered.
You should know or have reason to know that a service may not be covered if:
• We have provided general notice through an article in a newsletter or
bulletin, or information provided on our Web site
(UnitedHealthcareOnline.com), including clinical protocols, medical and drug
policies, either that we will not cover a particular service or that a
particular service will be covered only under certain circumstances not
present with the member; or
• We have made a determination that planned services are not covered services
and have communicated that determination to you on this or a previous occasion.
You must not bill our member for non-covered services if you do not comply with
this Protocol.
If you do not obtain written consent as specified above, the rendering provider
must accept full financial liability for the cost of care. General
agreements to pay, such as those signed by the member at any time (including at
admission or upon the initial office visit), are not considered written
consent under this Protocol.
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