Medicare Crossover Agreement: What It Is and How it Works
If you are on Medicare, you may have heard of a “crossover agreement” between Medicare and your secondary insurance provider. But what is a Medicare Crossover Agreement and how does it affect you?
A Medicare Crossover Agreement is a contract between Medicare and your secondary insurance provider that allows for seamless coordination of benefits. This means that when you receive medical services or supplies, Medicare will automatically send a claim to your secondary insurance provider for payment. This eliminates the need for you to submit claims to your secondary insurance provider and wait for reimbursement.
The purpose of a Medicare Crossover Agreement is to ensure that all of your medical expenses are covered and that you are not left with out-of-pocket costs. Medicare is the primary payer, which means that it pays first for your medical expenses. Your secondary insurance provider is the secondary payer and pays for any remaining costs that Medicare does not cover.
It`s important to note that not all secondary insurance providers have a Medicare Crossover Agreement. If your secondary insurance provider does not have an agreement with Medicare, you may be responsible for submitting claims yourself and waiting for reimbursement.
If you have a Medicare Supplement insurance plan, also known as Medigap, it is required to have a Medicare Crossover Agreement. This ensures that your Medigap policy will pay for any out-of-pocket costs that Medicare does not cover.
Medicare Crossover Agreements also help healthcare providers by simplifying the billing process. Providers can submit claims to Medicare and your secondary insurance provider at the same time, which reduces administrative work and speeds up the payment process.
In summary, a Medicare Crossover Agreement is a contract between Medicare and your secondary insurance provider that coordinates payment for your medical expenses. It eliminates the need for you to submit claims to your secondary insurance provider and ensures that all of your medical costs are covered. If you have a Medigap policy, a Medicare Crossover Agreement is required. By streamlining the billing process, Medicare Crossover Agreements benefit both patients and healthcare providers.
