I work in healthcare. For the first time, I received payment from an insurance company via a credit card number on the explanation of benefits. When my staff called inquiring, they were informed this is their new procedure, that they are going to provide credit card numbers to pay claims rather than checks. I told my employee to call back and say we do not accept credit cards and they need to send a hard check. I am not going to get hit with a credit card fee for insurance reimbursement when they already cut our fees enough. Many insurance companies are now paying via electronic reimbursement directly into my bank account but this is the first time I have heard of a major insurance company attempting to pay via credit card. What could be their advantage in doing this? Could they have a deal with mastercard to get a percentage of the fee I pay to accept credit cards? This entire thing seems so strange.
Yes, they’re getting an incentive from the card issuer. Of course, it’s also much more efficient than paying by check, at least from the provider’s point of view. Your practice’s contract with the carrier probably specifies what payment methods you have to accept; I’d start by reviewing that.
Thanks. Since this is worker’s compensation guidelines, there is nothing mentioned but time limits for payment and appeals, not method. The link is helpful and I appreciate it.
You’re in Florida, right? I would contact AHCA and the Division of Workers’ Compensation and ask them if there is an administrative rule governing payment methods. I did review the provider reimbursement manual and the rest of Chapter 69, FAC, and it doesn’t mention payment methods. Nothing in Chapter 440, Florida Statutes, does either (other than payments to employees). If you can’t get an answer you could file a reimbursement dispute with AHCA (since you are essentially being paid less than the MRA) and see what they say.