Practice News
How to match e-payment to remittance advice
A trace number is key to avoiding frustrations with reconciling electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments and electronic remittance advice (ERA).
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, payers are required to use a trace number on each EFT payment and the associated ERA so that physicians can easily confirm which medical claim the payment is for. This trace number should be transferred from the payer and its bank to the physician and his or her bank.
Be sure to discuss with your bank the best way to make sure all the necessary information remains tied to each EFT payment.
Access the AMA's EFT Toolkit for additional information about processing EFT payments and how to work with payers, banks and other entities to make the electronic payment process a smooth one.
Navigate rules of the road for self-referral practices
Although physicians are prohibited from making certain kinds of self-referrals, a new toolkit from the AMA helps physicians identify a wide variety of permissible referral arrangements.
The "Stark Law Rules of the Road" toolkit can help you comply with the complex set of self-referral regulations sometimes referred to as the "Stark law." An easy-to-use interactive tool walks you through six questions to determine how the Stark law might apply to you. The tool also defines key terms and explains a number of exceptions to the law that permit certain self-referrals.
For examples of how to interpret the law, the toolkit also provides a detailed overview document, which outlines some of the law's main requirements and exceptions.
To post a comment, you must first accept the AMA's Terms of Use.
To post your comment you will need to first accept the AMA's terms and conditions
Your access and use of this Web site is subject to your abiding with the following conditions [and with the additional
Terms of Use
including the AMA's privacy policy, incorporated by reference which must be reviewed before clicking on the "Accept" button below].
You represent:
- will only provide information which you are authorized or have the right to provide and such information will be accurate, complete and current; you will comply with all laws: specifically; your information will not be libelous or defamatory and will not contain indecent or pornographic content;
- you will be respectful and your posting will not be intemperate or designed to harm or ridicule any other person; you will not post with such frequency or repetitiveness that others may be discouraged from posting comments;
- you understand the AMA may employ an abuse reporting mechanism and may block the posting of comments;
- you will present your own views (and not those views of an undisclosed or fictitious third party);
and will not be posted with such frequency or repetitiveness that
others may be discouraged from posting comments.
Your access and use must comply with all applicable governmental regulations and may not interfere with the operation or enjoyment of this Web site by others or with the AMA's operation of this Web site. Continued access and use may be discontinued without notice at any time.
You acknowledge: there can be no expectation of privacy or security of information provided or accessed by you on this Web site; the Web site is made available to you without any warranty of any nature; and your access or use will not create the basis for any claim by you [or by any other person claiming through you] against the AMA related to your use or access or the AMA's operation of the Web site. You understand you may be identified as an AMA member, physician or medical student.
If you do not agree to the foregoing [and the additional
Terms of Use
including privacy policy, incorporated by reference], you must immediately terminate use of the AMA Web site. If you do agree, click on the "Accept" button below to proceed.
By declining the AMA's Term of Use, you will not be allowed to post your comment.
Return to Terms of Use
I Decline the Terms of Use
