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About Your Bill We know that the billing and collections process for health care services can be confusing, so we are providing this information to assist you in understanding our billing procedure and answer any questions you may have. Please understand that we contract with a number of “payers”—insurance companies, HMOs, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.—which complicates the process somewhat. Every situation is different. But by receiving services at any Wisconsin hospital, you are agreeing to take responsibility for payment in some manner. Registration is located in the Main Lobby of the Hospital. When you enter the main entrance the representatives at the information desk will direct you. *Remember to bring your insurance card when you register. The physician’s office will notify you as to the time you should register at the hospital. These times are based upon the specific procedure and tests to be performed and will vary for each visit to the hospital.
Front Desk Hours: 6:00 am - 8:30 pm Monday through Friday 7:00 am - 8:30 pm Saturday and Sunday Frequently Asked Questions:
●What
should you do prior to coming to the hospital? ●How can I be sure my health plan will pay my hospital bill? ●What if I have coverage through a commercial payer or HMO? ●What if I have coverage through Medicare or Medicaid? ●What if I have coverage through Workers Compensation or Liability Insurance? ●What if I don’t have health insurance? ●Who should I call if I have questions?
What should you do prior to coming to the hospital? Price Estimate I want to receive a service from MBMC, but I know my insurance won't cover it. Is there a way I can find out how much the service will cost? You may call (608)847 6161 and ask for Patient Accounting for a price estimate. Please note that you will be given a price range, rather than a specific estimate, as the final charges are based on a variety of factors related to the clinical service provided, the diagnoses associated with those services, supplies used, etc. While it is possible to estimate these, it is not possible to precisely define these until after the service has been provided.
We know that the billing and collections process for health care services can be confusing, so we are providing this information to assist you in understanding our billing procedure and answer any questions you may have. Please understand that we contract with a number of “payers”—insurance companies, HMOs, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.—which complicates the process somewhat. Every situation is different. But by receiving services at any Wisconsin hospital, you are agreeing to take responsibility for payment in some manner. What is expected at the time of registration? During the registration process, you will be asked to provide or verify your personal information (name, address, emergency contact, etc.) as well as your insurance status. We need to confirm this information upon each visit to ensure that it is current and accurate. We may also need to ask you for proof of identification and/or make a photocopy of your insurance card. Depending on the healthcare services you receive, you may receive several different bills from radiologists, pathologists or other physician specialists. We will attempt to collect all known patient expenses at the time of your visit, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance amounts. For your convenience, we accept cash, check, money order and major credit cards. Some patients may receive two bills for health care services, depending on where the services were provided. Facility Bill ~ This bill is for the cost of services at MBMC, such as clinical staff, supplies and equipment. Professional Services Bill ~ This bill is for services provided by other health professionals, such as physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. How can I be sure my health plan will pay my hospital bill? If you have some form of insurance, we will bill the insurance company on your behalf. If your health insurance does not make payment within a reasonable period of time (usually 60 days) and does not respond to our attempts to resolve payment matters, we will then forward the bill to you for payment. Be sure you know your health insurance policy and all precertification requirements in advance. If your health insurance denies your claim, it is your responsibility to contact them for resolution. While we provide all the required information and paperwork to your insurer, they may ask you for additional information so they can process your claim. You should respond promptly to any requests you receive from your health plan. What if I have coverage through a commercial payer or HMO? We will bill your primary and secondary health insurance if we are provided with this information at the time of registration. Again, you are responsible for paying any amount that insurance does not cover. Your health plan may send you an “Explanation of Benefits” notice which includes the amount paid, any non-covered or denied amounts, and the remaining balance that you owe. Please inform the registration staff if you belong to a Medicare or Medicaid HMO program. What if I have coverage through Medicare or Medicaid? We will bill Medicare, Medicaid or one of their replacement plans, along with any supplemental insurance(s), if you provide us with this information at the time of registration and we can verify your eligibility. You are responsible for paying any deductibles and co-payments at the time the service is provided, in addition to any service(s) for which you receive a notice of non-coverage. You must bring and present your own valid identification card each time you register. What if I have coverage through Workers Compensation or Liability Insurance? A claim will be filed when the employer confirms your illness or injury is work–related. Be sure you have filed an incident report with your employer. A claim can not be processed until we have specific information from and about your employer. We will request payment (with/without private health insurance coverage) in the event workers compensation denies the claim. Our staff will also work with you if you provide information regarding a liability insurance claim. I am unable to pay the full amount of my bill at this time. Is it possible to make payment arrangements? Normally, payment of your bill is due within 15 days of the patient balance appearing on a statement. However, our financial advisors will work with you to arrange a payment plan if special circumstances prevent you from making a full, timely payment. Financial advisors are available Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm and can be contacted at 608 847 6161. What if I don’t have health insurance? Payment is expected in full at the time of service or upon receipt of your bill, but you may be asked to bring payment with you at time of service based on an estimate of your bill. Medically necessary (non-elective) services will not be denied based on your ability to pay. If you do not have health insurance and worry that you may not be able to pay in full, we might be able to help. We offer financial aid programs to patients based on eligibility criteria, but not everyone qualifies. We may also be able to help you identify other available resources or work with you to arrange an acceptable payment plan. It is important that you let us know if you will have difficulty paying your bill since federal law requires us to apply our billing and collections criteria consistently to all patients. To avoid legal action with unpaid bills, be sure to contact one of our patient billing representatives if you are experiencing financial difficulty. Unpaid bills may be referred to an outside collection service as a last resort, which could affect your credit status. Who should I call if I have questions? We will be happy to provide you a summary or itemization of charges incurred as a result of your hospital visit, at your request. If you have additional concerns or questions, please contact MBMC Patient Accounts 608-847 6161. |
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Mile Bluff Medical Center/ 1050 Division St./ Mauston, WI 53948 / 608 847 6161 Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division Street, Mauston, WI 53948 608 847 6161 or Toll free in WI at 800 252 4377 © 2008 Mile Bluff Medical Center |
