Good morning List-serve,
I am having a problem with Mailhandlers concerning payment for
myoelectric replacement batteries. We had to work through a 3rd party
biller who authorized two replacement batteries for a myoelectric
transhumeral prosthesis. We delivered the items and billed the 3rd
party. They billed Mailhandlers and the bill was denied. Mailhandlers
now says that they don’t pay for batteries. The patient in concern has
had this insurance for over twenty years and is on his third myo arm
with the same insurance. We have billed Mailhandlers and been paid for
replacement batteries many times over the twenty plus years, yet
Mailhandlers says they have never covered replacement batteries. My
question to the list is: Is anyone else having this problem? Have you
been paid by Mailhandlers for replacement batteries and are you
currently getting reimbursed for replacements? Mailhandlers also has
told me that we can’t appeal their decision; the patient has to do the
appeal. The patient is also responsible for the bill since the 3rd party
biller won’t pay for them since Mailhandlers won’t. If I push the fact
that we have been paid in the past are they going to come after me and
ask for a refund? Mailhandlers used to be one of the best Insurance
companies to work with concerning prosthetics but anymore they are
horrible to work with, so now my patient is asking me about Anthem
(Federal). I know most of us have a lot of issues with Anthem too, but
does anyone have advice on whether Anthem (FEP) covers the items in
question and will they be a better choice for my patient when it comes
time to renew his insurance?
Thanks in advance,
Rick Stapleton, CPO
