Notifications

NO SURPRISES ACT

In compliance with the No Surprises Act that went into effect January 1, 2022, all healthcare providers are required to notify patients of their federal rights and protections against “surprise billing.”

 

This Act requires that we notify patients of their federally protected rights to receive a notification when services are rendered by an out-of-network provider, if a patient is uninsured, or if a patient elects not to use their insurance.

 

Additionally, if you become a patient of Peninsula Mental Health, we are required to provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of the cost of services. It is a federal requirement that we have each patient sign the Good Faith Estimate to begin/resume treatment.

 

It is difficult to determine the true length of treatment for mental health care, and each patient has a right to decide how long they would like to participate in treatment. We will collaborate with you on a regular basis to determine how many sessions you may need.

GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE FOR HEALTHCARE ITEMS AND SERVICES

 

Dr. Reed is committed to providing transparent information about the cost of your medical care.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost

 

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

 

  • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
  • Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
  • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
  • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

 

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

OPEN PAYMENTS DATABASE NOTICE

AB 1278 Notification Requirements (Open Payments Database Notice):

 

Dr. Reed does not accept any payments from manufacturers of biologics, medications, or medical devices. However, you are entitled by law to learn about the Open Payments Database and to receive the following message:

 

AB 1278 requires physicians to do the following beginning January 1, 2023:

1) At the initial office visit with their patient, a physician must provide either a written or electronic notice of the Database that includes the following text:
“The Open Payments database is a federal tool used to search payments made by drug and device companies to physicians and teaching hospitals. It can be found at openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.”
  • If physicians use electronic health records systems, they must include a record of this notice in the patient’s records.
  • If the physician uses a paper-based records system, then the written notice to the patient must include a signature from the patient (or their representative) and a date of signature. Further, a copy of the written notice must be provided to the patient (or their representative) and included in the patient’s records.
2) Post a notice regarding the database at each location where the physician practices, in an area likely to be seen by all persons. That notice must include a link to the database and the following text:

 

“For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.”

 

If a physician is employed by a health care employer, that employer is responsible for meeting this requirement.