How often must the MSP be filled out for a hospital admission?

The correct answer is that the MSP, or Medicare Secondary Payer questionnaire, must be filled out every visit for a hospital admission. This requirement is in place to ensure that Medicare's role as a payer is correctly coordinated with other insurance coverage that the patient may have. Each visit can have different insurance statuses or circumstances, which may affect how claims are processed and which insurance is primarily responsible for the costs associated with the admission.

Filling out the MSP every time a patient is admitted allows the hospital to gather the most current and accurate information about the patient's insurance coverage, which is crucial for billing purposes. Insurance policies and coverage can change frequently, so it’s essential to verify this information during each visit to ensure compliance and avoid complications in reimbursement.

While annual or one-time completions may seem simpler, they do not take into account the dynamic nature of a patient’s insurance situation. Therefore, requiring the MSP to be filled out at each visit helps the hospital navigate the complexities of multiple payers effectively.