Billing for Medical Supplies

Can a physician bill a patient for supplies, such as bandages, splints and braces if he/she knows the patient's insurance reimbursement will be lower than his/her cost on purchasing supplies? Will a patient waiver form allow the physician to charge the patient for supplies?

I wouldn't try it

Most supply costs are bundled into the payment for the procedure- kits for I&D, suturing supplies, etc. If you are getting paid anything, feel lucky and don't argue, and certainly don't try to collect from the patient!

I know one doc who bills for the EKG electrodes and occasionally gets paid $4 or so- but the denials are plenty and the work involved to clear those ecxceeds the income for those that do pay so I don't do it.

As to splints and braces, others may be able to chime in but if you don't like the reimbursement, the insurnace will tell you to send them to a DME supplier who will happily take the insurer's reimbursement.