FAQ

If you have services that are billed on a monthly (unit) billing cycle, you may receive multiple bills with the same account number, however, they are for different periods of time.

These bills are for professional services provided by these doctors in diagnosing and interpreting test results while you were a patient. Pathologists, radiologists, cardiologists, and other specialists perform these services may be legally required to submit separate bills. If you have questions about these bills, please call the number printed on the statement you received from them.

You will need to provide us with complete primary insurance information. As a courtesy to our patients, Ocean Beach Hospital submits bills to your insurance company and will do everything possible to advance your claim. However, it may become necessary for you to contact your insurance company or supply additional information to them for claims processing requirements or to expedite payment.

No. We send summary bills to the patient. To request an itemized statement, call a Patient Financial Counselor.

Yes, payment arrangements may be made by contacting Patient Financial Services.

For an account to be billed as an inpatient service, there must be a physician order. The physician who ordered your services determined that your condition did not meet the requirements for an inpatient admission. The physician’s written order dictates whether we bill as an inpatient or outpatient.

There was an overpayment to your account. Either you paid too much on the account and/or your insurance paid at a later date and covered some of what you already paid.

One or more of the following may apply:

• The service you received was not covered under your plan.
• You did not provide the correct insurance information at the time of service.
• The service you received was from a physician outside your plan’s network.
• You were not covered by your plan at time of service.
• Your primary care physician did not process a referral for the services or an authorization was not obtained prior to the services being rendered.

Yes, our Patient Financial Service Representatives are here to assist you.

Yes, information gathered from patient registration is stored in our computer system. We retrieve this information each time the patient returns for services and we ask the patient to verify that the information is current and accurate. Medicare requires that specific questions be asked to determine whether Medicare or another payor is primary. Your assistance in verifying the information is always appreciated. Information may be obtained prior to the service.

We assist you in several ways: we have financial counselors who will assist you with information on programs that may be available to you or will give you advise on how to proceed. If you do not qualify for any type of government programs, we can review your financial status to see if you qualify for Financial Assistant Care.

Unfortunately, because of insurance requirements, we may be required to bill each visit separately.

If you have questions about your bill, or believe that it is incorrect, call Patient Financial Services. Confidential voicemail is available after hours, and every attempt will be made to return your call by the next business day.

A co-payment is a set fee the member pays to providers at the time services are rendered. Co-pays are applied to emergency room visits, hospital admissions, office visits, etc. The costs are usually minimal. The patient should be aware of the co-payment amounts prior to the date of service.

Deductibles are provisions that require the member to accumulate a specific amount of medical bills before benefits are paid. For example, if a member’s policy contains a $500 deductible, the member must accumulate and pay $500 out of pocket before the insurance carrier will pay benefits. Once the patient has met their deductible, the carrier usually pays a percentage of the bill. The patient is liable for the unpaid percentage. Deductibles are yearly, usually starting in January.

Co-insurance is a form of cost-sharing. After your deductible has been met, the plan will begin paying a percentage of your bills. The remaining, known as co-insurance, is the portion due by the patient.

Most insurance plans require you to pay a deductible and/or co-insurance. In addition, you could be responsible for non-covered services. Please contact your insurance company for specific answers to your questions. You may have out-of-pocket expenses.

If you have an insurance policy, you are ultimately responsible for the total bill or any portion of the bill your insurance carrier does not pay. Your insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company.

If you have HMO policy, you should only be billed for the amount specified on your explanation of benefits (EOB) that is provided to you by your insurance carrier. This usually includes co-pay amounts, deductibles and non-covered services.

Read your insurance plan booklet to be sure you have followed all the guidelines for referrals and authorizations, or call your insurance for assistance. Failure to follow your plan requirements may result in greater out-of-pocket expenses for you. Your primary care physician plays a very important role in this process, if you receive a verbal authorization number, please provide us with this information at registration.

After receiving services, if you did not contact your primary care physician or your insurance plan before you came to the emergency room you will need to contact them within 24 hours to explain the circumstances and ask for authorization.