About Us
Departments and Services
What's New
Physician Directory
Patient Information
Outpatient Clinic Calendar
Sievers Medical Clinic
Net Nursery
Career Opportunities
Map and Directions
Patient Safety
World Wide Web Links
Notice of Privacy Practices
|
|
|
|
Patient Accounts FAQ
 |
Who is responsible for payment?
Why do I have more than one account number?
Does my hospital bill cover all the charges incurred for treatment?
If my statement says that the bill was rejected by my insurance what should I do?
Why does it take so long to get a statement showing what I owe?
Why do I need to show my insurance card every time I come to the hospital?
When is payment for services due?
What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Do you bill my secondary insurance?
What is the phone number for Medicare?
What is an observation bed/stay?
Q. Who is responsible for payment?
A. The patient or legal guardian is ultimately responsible for costs incurred for care. Once the appropriate forms are completed, Gonzales Healthcare Systems will make every effort to collect from your insurance companies or government agencies. It is your responsibility to contact insurance companies to ensure prompt payment.
Q. Why do I have more than one account number?
A. Every time you come to the hospital a new account number is generated. Some physician offices send their lab work and/or specimens to our lab to be processed for results, and when this is done, a new account number is generated.
Q. Does my hospital bill cover all the charges incurred for treatment?
A. Not necessarily. The bill you receive from Gonzales Healthcare Systems covers only the cost of tests performed and the use of hospital equipment and supplies. You may be billed from one or more physicians’ offices in addition to the bill you receive from Gonzales Healthcare Systems. These bills may cover such items as physician services or interpretation of tests and X-rays. It is important that you ensure that each of these physicians participates in your insurance plan. To find out if they participate, please contact the office of the billing physician. The results of all tests and / or X-rays will be forwarded to the ordering physician.
Q. If my statement says that the bill was rejected by my insurance what should I do?
A. Contact your insurance company first to find out why they rejected it. If our billing office needs to
resubmit the bill or send more information, please call the Business Office at (830) 672-7581.
Q. Why does it take so long to get a statement showing what I owe?
A. Generally statements are not generated until all of your insurance companies have responded or made payments. If you have not received an explanation of benefits from your insurance company within 28 days please contact them for the status on your claim.
Q. Why do I need to show my insurance card every time I come to the hospital?
A. Insurance information and coverage changes so frequently that this is one way we can ensure we always have your current information.
Q. When is payment for services due?
A. For patients with insurance, payment is due within 28 days. If your insurance company fails to pay within this time period or denies your claim, we will consider this balance due from you. Uninsured patients must pay for care when it is rendered. If you need assistance with payment arrangements, contact our Patient Account Representatives at (830) 672-7581.
Q. What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
A. Medicare is a federal program you pay into and can collect at age 65. You will receive a monthly statement after Medicare processes your claim and notifies us of the amount you owe.
Medicaid is a state program based on your income and needs. You will only receive a statement if we do not have your current Medicaid billing information. If you are covered by Medicaid and receive a statement, please call our Business Office at (830) 672-7581.
Q. Do you bill my secondary insurance?
A. Our billing office does bill to your secondary insurance company provided they were given secondary insurance information at the time of your service. Please give your secondary insurance a chance to pay after your primary insurance has paid before you call the business office. Generally the secondary insurance will pay within 4 weeks after your primary insurance pays.
Q. What is the phone number for Medicare?
A. Call (800) 322-3380
Q. What is an observation bed/stay?
A. Observation is considered a hospital outpatient service. Observation services require the use of a bed and periodic monitoring to evaluate an outpatient condition or determine the need for possible inpatient admission.
|
|
|
| |