Medical paperwork issue

[woozy]

What is the name of your state? Virginia

When checking in at the doctor today, I was given a bunch of forms to sign. A phrase in one of them caught my attention. It was on a document entitled "Assignment of Proceeds".

Quote:
"Furthermore, I authorize and direct my insurance carrier, attorney, or any other third party to remit directly to <company> such sums as may be due and owed to <company> for medical services rendered to my person, and to withold such monies from any settlement, judgment, arbitration award, or other medical payments which may be paid to my attorney, myself, or any other agent on my behalf. I am instructing all payers to directly reimburse <company> from the proceeds of such payments and assign to <company> a limited power of attorney as is necessary to collect such benefits until such time as the account is paid in full." End Quote.

The last phrase assigning the company limited power of attorney had me concerned. Why would the medical office need that? The office staff claim they need it to deal with insurance companies on my behalf. Is this correct? I don't remember any forms at other doctors asking for power of attorney.
After airing my concerns I was told that if i didnt sign it today i could not be seen, and then was told by the office manager that my appointment had been cancelled because i had been "arguing" about this for so long and that my new appointment was 6 days from now. ( I had only been "arguing" about it for 10 minutes in an office where the doctor is routinely 60-90 minutes behind schedule )

[lealea1005]

Originally Posted by woozy

What is the name of your state? Virginia

When checking in at the doctor today, I was given a bunch of forms to sign. A phrase in one of them caught my attention. It was on a document entitled "Assignment of Proceeds".

Quote:
"Furthermore, I authorize and direct my insurance carrier, attorney, or any other third party to remit directly to <company> such sums as may be due and owed to <company> for medical services rendered to my person, and to withold such monies from any settlement, judgment, arbitration award, or other medical payments which may be paid to my attorney, myself, or any other agent on my behalf. I am instructing all payers to directly reimburse <company> from the proceeds of such payments and assign to <company> a limited power of attorney as is necessary to collect such benefits until such time as the account is paid in full." End Quote.

The last phrase assigning the company limited power of attorney had me concerned. Why would the medical office need that? The office staff claim they need it to deal with insurance companies on my behalf. Is this correct? I don't remember any forms at other doctors asking for power of attorney.
After airing my concerns I was told that if i didnt sign it today i could not be seen, and then was told by the office manager that my appointment had been cancelled because i had been "arguing" about this for so long and that my new appointment was 6 days from now. ( I had only been "arguing" about it for 10 minutes in an office where the doctor is routinely 60-90 minutes behind schedule )

It's there so you only have to sign one form, one time. The office then has your "signature on file" and is permitted to submit a claim and receive payment directly to your insurance company.

[ecmst12]

No, they don't specifically NEED you to grant them "limited power of attorney" in order for them to contact your insurance company for payment. But it's not going to hurt you either. It doesn't grant them the power to do anything OTHER then seek payment on your bills.