Newton-Wellesley Family Pediatrics would like to update you on recent changes to federal billing guidelines. Effective January 1, 2021, the medical coding laws have changed. The new coding regulations outline a format for billing based on factors including medical decision making, complexity, and tests ordered.
For some medical problems, such as ear infections, you may find that this new coding system increases, decreases, or does not change at all the cost of the visit. We do not choose how much to charge for each visit; we are required to follow the new billing guidelines.
These changes to billing will also apply for any medical problems that are encountered and managed during the course of a well visit. For example, if your child’s asthma is reviewed at their well visit, there may be an additional charge associated with that visit.
Depending on your insurance, there may also be a copayment related to the charges for the medical problem. Well visits continue to have no associated copayment, but there may be a copayment added to your bill if medical problems are managed during the course of a well visit.
Please ask our billing department if you have any questions about your bill at 978-667-5230.