M E M O R A N D U M

IM-138  10/24/03  SPENDDOWN BILLING REVIEW PROCESS
   MANUAL REVISION #38: SECTION 0810.010.15.15


SUBJECT:
SPENDDOWN BILLING REVIEW PROCESS
MANUAL REVISION #38: SECTION 0810.010.15.15
DISCUSSION:
Division of Medical Services (DMS) has a process to research denied Spenddown claims that come to their attention from the claimant, the provider or the worker.  These are claims submitted for the day spenddown was met that were not paid through the normal automated billing procedure as they were less than the client liability.  DMS can authorize payment if verification is received that the bill was not used to meet spenddown.

In order to facilitate the research, DMS Recipient Services Unit may from time to time be requesting information directly from the FSD county office.  Information requested would be limited to a copy of what expenses were submitted to meet the spenddown and a phone number for the client, if one is available.  The county office is to provide the requested information within a reasonable time.  This could include the notes made on the
IM-30A if verification was obtained over the phone.

Example: Claimant had a $50.00 spenddown and saw the doctor on October 2,2003.  This service was charged.  He then went to the pharmacy and paid for a $40.00 prescription the same day.  The pharmacy does not submit the bill to be paid by Medicaid because the client paid the $40.00 out of pocket to meet his spenddown.  Division of Medical Services will be withholding the spenddown out of the doctor bill.  The doctor then will bill the client the $50.00 after finding out the spenddown was withheld.  At this point, the provider, client or the caseworker (if made aware of the billing problem) can request DMS Recipient Services Unit to do a review for that month.
The contact from DMS will be made initially by email or by mail.  The request will include where to fax or mail the information.  When the county is initiating the request, send the spenddown documentation with the cover sheet (attachment pdf file).
NECESSARY ACTION:
  • Share this memorandum with appropriate staff as soon as possible.
  • Begin providing the requested spenddown information to DMS Recipient Services Unit when contacted.
  • Request a claim review from DMS Recipient Services Unit if the spenddown billing is in question.
DS

IM-137
[ 2003 Memorandums ]
IM-139