FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will the Center bill insurance or is money paid up front?
2. Does the Center provide free care?
3. Will Medicare reimburse you for your medical expenses at the Institute?
4. Why does the Research Institute not contract with insurance companies in the USA?
5. What is the nature / status of our outpatient surgical facility with the State of Florida?
6. Do you need to bring any documents to your initial evaluation at the Institute?
7. Do hotels give discount rates for RSD Institute patients?
8. What are the instructions to patients for procedures?
1. Will the Center bill insurance or is money paid up front?
The Center is a private research institute that provides care to patients worldwide. Unlike medical practice in hospitals and universities in the USA, the Center receives no financial support from state or federal agencies. The Institute does not have an Accounts Receivable Department. Therefore, the Center requires money up front from the insurance company, the patient or another third party. The fee schedule is based on usual and customary charges in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida.
Our staff will assist you in financially planning for your care with us. We will make it as easy as possible for patients to receive, if appropriate, reimbursement from their insurance companies. The Center has created a two step process to facilitate financial planning and reimbursement.
STEP 1 ~ Prior to Evaluation / Treatment:
The Center will provide the patient the service(s) to be performed, CPT Code(s) and the fee. It is the patient’s responsibility to submit the information to their insurance company to determine if their company will, if appropriate, reimburse them for the money they pay the Institute.
This process will help the patient get PRIOR approval from their insurance for the Center's fee so that they can, if possible, obtain reimbursement for the money they pay the Institute:
Please click here for our fee information.
STEP II ~ After Evaluation / Treatment:
After the patient is provided an evaluation and/or treatment, the patient will be provided with the following Health Insurance Claim (HIC) form linked below. This form will facilitate the reimbursement, if appropriate, from their insurance company. In addition, the patient will receive a copy of our evaluation or procedure notes.
Health Insurance Claim Form PDF
Please find below a link to a form letter that will be provided to all patients for services at the Institute. The document will facilitate the reimbursement process for patients with PPO contracts with their health insurance company.
2. Does the Center provide free care?
Yes -- The Center provides free follow-up evaluations for research subjects engaged in its research studies.
3. Will Medicare reimburse you for your medical expenses at the Institute?
The Center has opted out of Medicare. Any bills you pay for services at the Center will not be reimbursed to you by Medicare.
4. Why does the Research Institute not contract with insurance companies in the USA?
The purpose of this policy is to create a fiscal environment for the Research Institute which will help to assure its survival without relying upon the vagaries of health care insurers.
The Institute's contract is strictly with the patient. The patient's contract, on the other hand, is with their insurance company to provide services / reimbursements under the terms of the patient’s health care policy. We will furnish you the information you may require in order to apply for reimbursement from your applicable insurance.
5. What is the nature / status of our outpatient surgical facility with the State of Florida?
On May 20, 2008, the RSD / CRPS Treatment Center and Research Institute underwent its first annual onsite inspection by the Florida Board of Medicine. The review included inspection of the operating room, patient charts and office space.
Conclusion:
“You and your new institute were top notch”.
If the patient would like the Institute to follow-up with their insurance company with this information, it would be happy to do so. Please provide the name of a contact person and phone #. Alternatively, feel free to forward this information to your insurance company.
6. Do you need to bring any documents to your initial evaluation at the Institute?
Yes -- Please bring your medical records and New Patient Information Form. The New Patient Information Form can be downloaded from the following site:
7. Do hotels give discount rates for RSD Institute patients?
Families can stay at The Ronald McDonald House for free. This housing is reserved for families of children 18 years and younger.
Many types living accommodations are available ... Learn More
8. What are the instructions to patients for procedures?
- No food or drink 6 hours before procedure.
Take home medications with a sip of water.
Do not take diabetic medication- bring it with you.
Bring any lung inhalers.
Don't bring valuables.
Arrive 30 minutes before procedure.
You will need someone to drive you home.
* Recent publications report how the New York Attorney General and the AMA are going after "crooks" employed in the health insurance industry .... learn more
Any additional questions?
RSD / CRPS Treatment Center and Research Institute
1900 East Busch Blvd.
Tampa, Florida 33612
(813) 995-5511
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The International Research Foundation for RSD / CRPS is a 501(c)(3) (not-for-profit) organization in the United States of America. |
