Frequently Asked Questions

Billing
How is my hospital bill determined?
Will you bill my insurance company?
What will I need to pay?
Whom do I contact if I have questions about my bill?
How do I contact my insurance company?

Payments 
How can I find out when and where my last payment was applied?

Medicare
What is an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)?
I disagree with a Medicare claims decision; how do I request an appeal? 
What are the Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates for 2008? 

Billing

How is my hospital bill determined?
We determine your hospital bill on the length of your stay, the type of room, and the hospital services and medications ordered by your physician. You will be billed separately for the services of your physician, emergency room physician, consulting physician, or other professionals.

Will you bill my insurance company?
If you have provided health insurance information we will file an insurance claim for you. Usually a claim is paid within 30 to 60 days after being submitted to the insurance company. In cases where there are two insurance companies to bill, the second insurance will be billed after the first insurance has paid.

What will I need to pay?
Most major insurance companies require patients to pay a deductible. After the deductible is met, your insurance company usually pays a percentage of the costs of service.
The amount of the bill that you must pay will depend on your insurance policy. If you have questions about your benefits, contact your insurance company directly.

Whom do I contact if I have questions about my bill?
Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-866-356-6658

How do I contact my insurance company?
You will find a customer service phone number on your insurance card, usually on the back.

Payments

How can I find out when and where my last payment was applied?
Contact Customer Service to request an itemization of your accounts.

Medicare

What is an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)?
An ABN is a written notice that you may receive from physicians, providers, or suppliers before providing a service or furnishing an item to you. The ABN notifies you:
• That Medicare will probably deny payment for that specific service or item.
• The reason the physician, provider, or supplier expects Medicare to deny payment.
• That you will be held personally responsible for payment if Medicare denies payment.

I disagree with a Medicare claims decision. How do I request an appeal?
1. Photocopy your Medicare Explanation of Medicare Benefits form.

2. Write on the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form, "Please reconsider for payment. My doctor ordered this service.” If possible, contact your physician and ask for additional information to submit with the EOB. An example of additional information would be a letter from your physician explaining why the test was ordered.

3. Mail your appeal to:
Medicare Northwest
PO Box 30270
Salt Lake City, UT 84130

What are the Medicare deductible, coinsurance and premium rates for 2008?

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