Charges for Missed Appointments
Physicians and suppliers are allowed to charge Medicare beneficiaries for missed appointments if they also charge non-Medicare patients for missed appointments. The amount charged for the missed appointment must apply equally to all patients (Medicare and non-Medicare). Charges to beneficiaries for missed appointments should not be billed to Medicare.
PRIMARY CARE OVERVIEW
A primary care physician is defined as a general practitioner, family practice practitioner, general internist, obstetrician or gynecologist.
Primary care includes health promotion; disease prevention; health maintenance; counseling; patient education; and diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in a variety of health care settings such as office, emergency room, hospital, home, skilled nursing facility or nursing home.
