Your Responsibilities
Thank you for choosing the hospitals and physicians of The University of Toledo Medical Center. We are committed to clinical excellence and innovation in meeting your health care needs. We understand that billing and payment for health care services can be confusing and complicated. We are here to assist you with information on how we process your bill(s). The information below is designed to help you understand what we can do to assist you, what you can do to assist us and your insurance plan, and how we can help if you have difficulty in paying your bills.
When You Come to the Hospital or Clinic The University of Toledo Medical Center participates with most insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid. Prior to your hospital or clinic visit, check with your employer or insurance company to see if you have access to health care services at The University of Toledo Medical Center, otherwise you may be responsible for all or a large portion of your bill.
Please Understand and Follow the Requirements of Your Health Plan Be sure to know your benefits, obtain proper authorization for services, submit referral or claim forms, or fill out a coordination of benefits form, if necessary. Also, know that many insurance plans require patients to pay a co-payment or deductible amount that may be due at the time of registration, at the time of service or discharge from the hospital. You are responsible for paying co-payments required by your insurance provider, and The University of Toledo Medical Center is responsible for collecting co-payments. Please come to your appointment prepared to make your co-payment.
Out of Network In an emergency, always go to the closest hospital. Your insurance provider generally will cover emergency department costs or transfer you to an "in-network" hospital if it is safe to do so. If you choose to go to an "out-of-network" hospital in a non-emergency, you may be required to pay a larger deductible or a greater portion of your bill. Be sure you understand your health plan's "out-of-network" options.
Inform Us of Changes If you are a current patient, please inform us if your personal or insurance information has changed since your last visit. The lack of current information can cause payment delays or denials that may ultimately leave you responsible for payment.
Making Deposits For certain procedures not covered by insurance, you may be required to pay a deposit or pay for the service in full prior to your care.
Consent = Financial Responsibility The person who consents to medical treatment will be financially responsible for the bill, including legal guardians of a child.
Medicare Patients: What to Expect If you are a Medicare patient, you will be asked a series of questions regarding your status including other insurance you may have and your retirement. These Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) questions are required by law and must be asked each time you visit us. If you are covered by Medicare, we will submit your claims to Medicare on your behalf.
When Medicare Doesn't Cover a Service Medicare requires we provide only those services approved by Medicare as deemed medically necessary. In the event the service is not covered by Medicare, we may ask you to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) that may make you financially responsible for the services provided. Additionally, we will bill you and/or your supplemental insurance carrier for services not covered by Medicare such as self-administered medications and routine health exams. However, if neither covers these services you will be responsible for payment for these services.
Financial Assistance or Payment Plans If you anticipate problems paying your portion of your bill, please let us know. We can help you apply for other types of financial assistance or payment plans.
After Your Visit Respond promptly to requests from your insurance company for additional information. These requests must be handled before payment can occur.
Call us With Billing Questions If you have any questions about your bill(s), please contact Patient Financial Services Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Please call 419.383.7400 or 800.589.7401.
Who Can Discuss a Bill Confidentiality is important. Our representatives may only speak with the patient or the person designated in writing by the patient to receive the bill(s) on behalf of the patient. This is required by both federal and state law.
Bring Your Health Insurance Information Bring your complete health insurance information when you register. This includes identification, all insurance cards, and authorization forms. We will ask you to sign forms, such as a release of information, and possible additional forms depending on your visit.
Making Co-Payments Co-payments for both physician and hospital care and other balances you may owe are due on the day you receive services. If your insurance requires it, you will need to pay for estimated coinsurance or deductibles related to your care. If you have any questions regarding your co-payments or deductibles, please call your insurance company.