A laboratory that receives referrals from a nursing home or skilled nursing facility (SNF) should have a written agreement with that facility:
- The agreement should define billing and documentation responsibilities.
- The facility should be responsible for determining the payment status of its patients and is liable for submitting incorrect payment information to the laboratory.
- Fees should be consistent with other similar customers.
A laboratory that provides services to a home health agency treating Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries should have a written agreement with that agency:
- The agreement should define billing and documentation responsibilities.
- The agreement should place the responsibility on the home health agency to establish that all patients receiving laboratory services are "homebound" as defined by Medicare.
- Fees should be consistent with other similar customers.
