Billing Process

We hope this will answer some of your questions about the financial aspects of your visit. Professionally-trained financial counselors are available to assist you with financial needs and concerns. Please do not hesitate to ask them for assistance.

Health Insurance Billing
As a courtesy to our patients, CaroMont Health will file a health claim to most insurance companies on your behalf. You must provide all required information and insurance benefits must be assigned to CaroMont Health. You must also present your insurance card(s) at the time of service. The information on the card(s) is important for correct identification of your insurance carrier and in receiving proper payment for services.

Commercial/Managed Care Insurance
Patients with Commercial or Managed Care insurance coverage are responsible for paying co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance and fees for non-covered services at the time services are rendered. Full payment of the patient’s responsibility is expected before services are rendered. Insurance plans can differ significantly and each patient has a responsibility to know and understand his or her individual benefit package.

Worker’s Compensation
If services you are requesting are the result of a work-related injury, CaroMont Health will bill your employer or your employer’s liability carrier. We will also ask for your health insurance information in the event that Worker’s Compensation denies the claim or does not cover all of the charges.

Liability
If services you are requesting are the result of a non-work related injury, CaroMont Health:

• Is required to file your liability if you are covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid.
• Will bill your Commercial or Managed Care insurance company. Liability insurance pays the patient directly and will give no guarantee of coverage for the services being rendered. Liability settlements will typically pay your insurance carrier back for any payment they made as part of their final resolution.

Patients who choose not to file their Commercial or Managed Care insurance or patients with no other insurance coverage will be responsible for the bill at the time services are rendered.

Services Not Billed by CaroMont Health
During your hospital stay, you may receive treatment from physicians and/or other healthcare providers who will bill separately for their services. CaroMont Health may provide your insurance information to these providers. If you have any questions about their bills, please contact them directly.
Some of these providers may include:

• Your physician, surgeon or consultant
• Ambulance Services: 704.866.3273
• Emergency physicians: 1.888.291.1568
  (Physicians who provide Emergency Department care)
• Radiologists: 704.867.8021
  (Physicians who read and review x-rays)
• Anesthesiologists: 704.864.8772
  (Physicians that administer anesthesia during certain procedures)
• Pathologists: 704.834.2450
  (Physicians who read and review tissue and lab specimens)

Medicare Benefits
“Medical Necessity” is a term that has been used in recent years by Medicare and may not be familiar to you. “Medical Necessity” means there are procedures and services physicians may prescribe for you that they may feel are needed to manage your health. However, Medicare may not pay for certain services based on their policies. We would encourage you to discuss with your physician other treatment options available that may give your physician the information needed to treat you.
If your physician orders a procedure or service that Medicare will not cover, you will be asked to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN). The ABN informs you in advance that Medicare is not likely to pay for the procedure or service. By signing the ABN, you are indicating that you understand and agree to be personally and fully responsible for payment. Payments of co-pays, deductibles and fees for non-covered services are expected at the time services are rendered. If you have Medicare questions or concerns, you may contact the Medicare beneficiary hotline at 877.602.2426.

Medicaid
CaroMont Health will submit claims to Medicaid provided you supply the required information and/or verification of coverage is obtained through the Department of Social Services. You may be responsible for a portion of your charges if Medicaid makes that determination. If you feel that you may qualify for assistance from the Department of Social Services, contact their office at 704.862.7500.

Patient Financial Responsibilities
Patients who do not carry insurance coverage, are unable to provide CaroMont Health with adequate filing information, or who wish to file their own insurance claims must either pay CaroMont Health in full at the time of service or make satisfactory arrangements for payment. Patients with health insurance coverage will be expected to pay any co-pays, deductibles, coinsurance or any other patient portion at the time services are rendered.
All requests for payment are estimated amounts due. Any additional remaining balance will be billed to you and are due upon receipt of the statement. If the entire balance is not paid by the due date, CaroMont Health may apply finance charges, late fees and/or the reasonable costs and fees of collection.

If your account becomes past due, CaroMont Health will take appropriate action to recover the amount due. Accounts are considered past due if your payment has not been received within 25 days of the date of statement. If you are unable to pay your balance by the due date, it is your responsibility to contact the Billing Office at 704.834.2931 to discuss a workable solution. Delayed insurance payments do not relieve you of your obligation to pay balances when due; the responsibility still rests with you.

Surprise Billing
Please click here to read about your rights and protections against surprise medical bills.

Payment Options
We realize that many services provided to you by CaroMont Health may result in unexpected expenses for you. Therefore, we want to give you as many payment options as possible.

• Cash
• Check or Money Order
• Debit Cards
• Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express
• Bank financing
• Medical Flexible Spending Accounts

CaroMont Health has other options which we can discuss with you, such as Government Assisted Programs and our Charity Care Program. Assistance is based on financial need. You must provide required documentation in order to qualify for assistance. If you have any questions, please ask for assistance from one of our professionally-trained financial counselors.

Contacts and Phone Numbers

Below are contacts and phone numbers that may be helpful prior to, during and after your service is rendered:

Billing Office: 704.834.2931
Assistance is available Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for any questions or concerns you have about your patient bill after services have been rendered.

Pre-Registration: 704.834.2914
You may pre-register for future visits Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please have your physician order and insurance card in front of you when you call.