Medicare providers are required to comply with certain regulations regarding the information they must make available to the public. Here are some key items that Medicare providers should typically post in public view: (Not all of these items below are relevant to all Medicare Providers, common sense must be applied to determine if your business needs to post all of the items below. An example, any of your at-home IDTF businesses that do not see or touch a patient would not need to have the patient-related notices posted since no patient will visit the office unless it is for filing a complaint.). All Federally funded and covered tests that are underlined are the minimum items that would apply to all providers regardless if patients visit your offices or not.
1. Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP): Providers must display a notice explaining how patient information is used and disclosed. This notice outlines patients' privacy rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
2. Provider Contact Information: Display the provider's name, address, phone number, and any other relevant contact details.
3. Office Hours: Clearly state the regular business hours of the provider's office.
4. Accessibility Information: Providers should make information available regarding the accessibility of their facilities for individuals with disabilities. This may include information about wheelchair ramps, accessible entrances, and other accommodations.
5. Insurance Accepted: Display a list of the insurance plans accepted by the provider. This helps patients understand their coverage options.
6. Payment Policies: Communicate the provider's policies regarding payment, including accepted payment methods and any financial assistance programs offered.
7. Non-Discrimination Statement: Providers are required to have a non-discrimination statement indicating that they do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
8. Medicare Participation Status: If the provider participates in the Medicare program, they should inform patients of this status. This information helps Medicare beneficiaries understand their coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs.
9. Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN): If applicable, providers should display information about the ABN, a notice given to Medicare beneficiaries informing them of their potential financial responsibility for services that Medicare may not cover.
10. Patient Rights and Responsibilities: Display information outlining the rights and responsibilities of patients when receiving healthcare services.
11. Organization Chart with Compliance Officer Identified: Make sure to have your company org chart regardless of how small of a business you are. It is required by CMS rules and regulations.
12. City Business License: Very few states require the IDTFs to be State Licensed, but all of them must be licensed by the city in which the business resides.
13. Grievance and Patient Complaint Policies: You need to post what your policies are regarding the Patient Complaint. Most inspectors like the flow-type diagrams for a quicker understanding v. the written-out in the long version.
14. IDTF performance standards: Medicare expects to see these standards posted in the lobby, and ensure your copy is clean and free of notes, pen markings, and such.
15. Licensed Physicians, Technicians, and others who read, interpret, and perform testings, should make in public view a copy of their state license and/or certifications. Remember to write "copy" on the document when posting it.
All the items above should be posted with a picture frame, laminated, or some other way to protect the document from becoming soiled and a danger in spreading disease from patient to patient.