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.
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.