Hiring Collection agency - Is it advisable for collection patient balance

Its information from Tricare for collection agency on their patients.

Both network and non-network providers are encouraged to explore every possible means to

resolve claims issues without involving debt- collection agencies. The most important action

you can take for your practice and for TRICARE beneficiaries is to avoid the debt-collection process altogether by following these simple error-checking steps:

1.   Review the TRICARE remittance advice when it arrives; if a claim is rejected, it will

state the reason.

 2.   If the remittance advice states that inaccurate beneficiary information is the reason for the

denial, it is important to make every attempt to contact the beneficiary to obtain the

correct information.

 3.   If a remittance advice does not arrive within 30 days, this may mean that there has been a

problem in submission of the claim. Registered users of www.triwest.com/provider may check

claims status online. If the patient has Medicare, contact the TRICARE dual-eligible fiscal

intermediary, WPS, at 1-866-773-0404.

 4.   Contact TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378) if you have additional

or corrected information regarding a rejected claim.

 Use the secure area of www.triwest.com/provider to verify claims status or call 1-888-TRIWEST

(1-888-874-9378) for the status of previously submitted claims. Please wait at least 30 days after submitting a claim before contacting TriWest for assistance. If you are unable to resolve your inquiry by calling 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378), network and non-network providers should contact their local TRICARE representatives

Beneficiaries are responsible for their out-of- pocket expenses. A beneficiary should not be sent to collections before the non-network provider contacts his or her local TRICARE representative, unless the only amount outstanding is the beneficiary’s deductible, cost-share, or copayment amount reflected on the provider remittance advice.