Financial Information
At Astria Health, it is our mission to deliver America's best local healthcare. Consistent with fulfilling that mission, we take a positive and proactive approach to patient billing and collections. Our goal is to coordinate payment for services in the most efficient, timely and customer-oriented manner possible. We understand that the billing and collection process can be confusing. In order to assist you in understanding these services and to answer any questions you might have, please review the following.
How can I help reduce the wait time at the hospital?
If your physician's office scheduled your service at our hospital in advance, we will make every effort to ensure that you are preregistered prior to your arrival. If your physician's office was unable to schedule your service in advance, you can preregister by contacting the registration department prior to your service. If you preregister, your wait time may be reduced by 10 minutes or more. When you come to the hospital on the day of your service, please bring your insurance card, photo ID and the order from your physician. If at any point in our registration process you have not experienced our commitment to excellence, please ask to speak with a member of management.
Why do I have to show my ID each time I visit the hospital?
Our primary concern is for your health and safety. We request your identification to ensure that we access and update the correct medical record. It's also to protect you from fraud. Statistics released by the Federal Trade Commission indicate that more than 3.25 million Americans have had their personal information used by someone else for illegal activities. By requesting proof of identity, we are able to safeguard your personal medical and financial information.
Why do I need to bring my insurance card to each visit?
In order to file an insurance claim on your behalf, it is necessary to make certain that we have the most current and accurate information about your insurance coverage and specific plan benefits. That is why it is our policy to verify your insurance information during each visit.
Why do I have to answer the same questions each time I am registered?
Many of the questions we ask are either required by your insurance company or requested to ensure that we have the most accurate information on file. This information allows us to satisfy the requirements of your insurance company and to file your claim with little or no involvement on your behalf. Certain questions are mandated by the federal agency of CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).
Why am I asked to pay my co-payment and deductible on the day of service?
It is our goal to provide you with a comprehensive overview of your insurance benefits prior to receiving hospital services. Our process allows you the opportunity to understand how your health insurance benefits will be applied to the service and the opportunity to ask specific questions about your insurance benefits. We will also take this opportunity to discuss the financial options available for any amount not covered by your insurance. In keeping with the terms of your agreement with your insurance company, as well as the agreement between the insurance company and the hospital, it is our practice to request that co-payments and deductibles be paid prior to or on the day of service.
How may I pay?
We accept payment by cash, check, or Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards.
What does "Provider-Based" designation mean?
This is a Medicare status for hospitals and clinics that comply with specific Medicare regulations. Medicare has determined that this hospital has met these regulations and has been designated as such. This status requires that the hospital send two separate bills to Medicare, one for the facility and one for the physician. This means you may receive two billing statements and two separate Explanation of Benefits statements from your insurance company for one date of service.
Helpful Definitions
- Beneficiary: A person who receives benefits of any insurance plan or policy
- Claim: A request for payment for services submitted by the provider
- Co-insurance: A specified percentage of covered expenses that the insurance carrier requires the beneficiary to pay toward eligible medical bills
- Co-pay or Co-payment: A specific set dollar amount contracted between the insurance company and the beneficiary to be paid prior to any services rendered
- Covered Services: Services for which an insurance policy will pay
- Deductible: A specified dollar amount of medical expenses that the beneficiary must pay before an insurance policy will pay
- Explanation of Benefits (EOB): A statement from an insurance company showing the processing of a claim
- Medically Necessary: Treatments or services that insurance policies will pay for as defined in the contract
- Non-Covered Services: Services for which an insurance policy will not provide payment. These services are to be paid by the patient at the time of service
- Precertification/Authorization: A service-specific requirement that your insurance company's approval be obtained before a medical service is provided
- Provider: A person or organization that provides medical services