Patient Financial Services
Our Patient Financial Services (PFS) department has many options for you. We are happy to assist you with any questions you might have.
Prior Authorization
Each health insurance plan is different. Many insurance carriers require notification before services or tests occur. Payment of claims may be affected, if prior notification is not given. Contact your insurance carrier regarding scheduled services.
You also may be asked to make a deposit prior to receiving services, which could include deductible and co-pay amounts. Scheduled services (surgeries, CT Scans, etc.) may require a prior payment arrangement. Contact us with any questions you may have.
Patients will not be refused emergency treatment based on their ability to pay. However, once emergency servcies are provided, payment arrangements will be required.
How Billing Works
At registration, you will be asked to present information regarding your insurance coverages, so that it can be verified and billed appropriately.
Your insurance plan will pay claims based on the policy you have. Some policies may not cover all services or only provide limited coverage. If you have questions regarding your coverage, please call your insurance company.
For patients with insurance, SRHS will bill, for you, any accountable insurance carrier or program. If our first billing is not received, we will bill once more.
Afterwards, if we do not receive payment, we will seek payment from the guarantor (whoever holds the insurance). SRHS is committed to working with your insurance carrier to guarantee proper processing of all charges.
First, SRHS will bill all appropriate insurance companies. Then, we send you a detailed notice about the services you received and who we are billing. This notice is not a bill, but for your records only. If you believe we are billing incorrectly, contact us immediately. Next, your insurance company will respond to our claim. They send you an explanation of benefits regarding your claim. Once insurance has responded to us, we send you a bill for the remaining portion due on your claim.
How You Pay Your Remaining Balance/Bill
Your payment that we send you a bill for is due in 30 days and is discounted 10% if paid in full by the deadline shown on your first statement. You may pay by cash, check, credit card, or debit card through our Cashier's Office located on the First Floor of Samaritan Hospital. It is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Payment plans can be arranged based on the amount owed and the patient's ability to pay. If you have more than one account with SRHS, we can combine your balances for one monthly payment.
Financial Assistance
If you are unable to pay for services, you may be eligible for assistance. To contact a financial counselor regarding financial assistance, please call (419) 207-7878 or 1-800-257-9917, ext. 3962. The back of your bill will also have options and a form for financial assistance.
Other Charges/Bills You May Receive
SRHS will bill you or your insurance company for "hospital charges." This will not include fees or charges for your attending physician, surgeon, anesthesiologist, radiologist, pathologist, or other consulting physician.
Please note, if you did not have your insurance information at the time of registration, the above listed providers may not have your correct billing information. Please follow-up with them to provide your insurance information, if you did not already provide at registration.
We can help you determine everyone who may be involved in your medical care. Listed below are providers that will bill you separately. Please contact them at the number listed with your questions regarding their bills.
Samaritan Emergency Physicians, LLP
(These are the physicians that generally see you in the Emergency Department at Samaritan Hospital)
1-800-219-9811
Ashland Anesthesia, PSC
1-800-724-6966
Regional Pathology Associates
1-800-232-3048
Ashland Radiology Consultants-Whitton Billing
(419) 289-2475
Medicare and Medicaid
Payments from government health plans are accepted for covered services for your hospital charges, with the exception of co-insurance, deductibles, and/or non-covered services. SRHS is unable to bill Medicare Part D plans for medications, deemed by Medicare as self-administered, for outpatient services. Ohio Medicaid requires a $3 co-pay for emergency room visits that are deemed non-emergency for qualified recipients. This amount will be collected upon discharge. |
