We are glad you selected Albemarle Hospital for your medical
needs. Hospital billing can be confusing. We hope this information
will provide answers to questions that you may have regarding
the financial aspects of your visit. Professionally trained
financial counselors are also available to assist you with
financial needs and concerns. Please do not hesitate to
ask them for assistance.
Health Insurance Billing
As a courtesy to our patients, Albemarle Hospital will
file a health claim to most insurance companies when you
give all of the required information and benefits are
assigned to Albemarle Hospital. You will also need to
present your insurance card(s) at the time of service.
The information on the card(s) is important for correct
identification of your insurance carrier and in receiving
the proper payment for services.
Commercial/ Managed Care Insurance
Patients with Commercial or Managed Care insurance coverage
are responsible for paying co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance,
and fees for non-covered services at the time the services
are rendered. Full payment of the patient's responsibility
is expected before services are rendered. Insurance plans
can differ significantly. Each patient has a responsibility
to know and understand his or her individual benefit package.
Worker's Compensation
If services you requesting are the result of a work-related
injury, Albemarle Hospital will bill your employer or
your employer Worker's Compensation carrier. We will also
ask for your health insurance information in the event
that Worker's Compensation denies the claim or does not
cover all of the charges.
Liability
If services you are requesting are the result of a non-work-related
injury, (an accident), Albemarle Hospital is required
to file your liability if you are covered by Medicare
and/or Medicaid. We will bill your commercial/managed
care insurance company.
Patients that choose not to file their commercial/managed
care insurance or patients with no other insurance coverage
will be responsible for the bill at the time services
are rendered.
Medicare Benefits
"Medical Necessity" is a term that has been
used in recent years by Medicare and may not be familiar
to you. "Medical Necessity" means that there
are procedures and services physicians may prescribe for
you that they may feel are needed to manage your health.
However, Medicare may not pay for certain services based
on their policies.
If your physician orders a procedure or services that
Medicare will not cover, you will be asked to sign an
Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN). The ABN informs you
in advance that Medicare is not likely to pay for the
procedure or service. By signing the ABN, you are indication
that you understand and agree to be personally and fully
responsible for payment. Payments of co-pays, deductibles,
and fees for non-covered services are expected at the
time services are rendered.
Medicaid
Albemarle Hospital will submit claims to Medicaid provided
you supply the required information and/or verification
of coverage is obtained through the Department of Social
Services. You may be responsible for a portion of your
charges if Medicaid makes that determination.
If you feel that you may qualify for assistance from
the Department of Social Services, you may contact their
office at (252) 338-2126.
Services Not Billed By Albemarle Hospital
During your hospital stay, you may receive treatment from
physicians who will bill separately for their services.
Albemarle Hospital may provide your insurance information
to these providers. If you have any questions about their
bills, please contact them directly.
Some of these providers may include:
- Your physicians/surgeon or consultant
- .Emergency Physicians (1-800-982-8177)
(Physicians who provide Emergency Room care)
- Radiologists (1-800-297-6064)
(Physicians who read and review x-rays)
- Anesthesiologists (1-800-339-5844)
(Physicians that administer anesthesia during certain
procedures)
- Pathologists (1-800-238-0097)
(Physicians who read and review tissue and lab specimens)
Patient Financial Responsibilities
Patients who do not carry insurance coverage, are unable
to provide Albemarle Hospital with adequate filing information,
or who wish to file their own insurance claims must either
pay Albemarle Hospital in full at the time of service
or make satisfactory arrangements for payment.
Patients with health insurance coverage will be expected
to pay any co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance, or any
other patient portion at the time services are rendered.
All requests for payment are estimated amounts due. Any
additional remaining balance will be billed to you and
are due upon receipt of the statement.
If your account becomes past due, Albemarle Hospital
will take appropriate action to recover the amount due.
Accounts are considered past due if your payment has not
been received within 25 days of the date of statement.
If you are unable to pay your balance by the due date,
it is your responsibility to contact the Billing Office
to discuss a workable solution.
Delayed insurance payments do not relieve you of your
obligation to pay balances when due; the responsibility
still rests with you.
Payment Options
We realize that many services provided to you by Albemarle
Hospital may result in unexpected expenses for you. Therefore,
we want to give you as many payment options as possible.
- Cash
- Check/Money Order
- Debit Cards
- Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, and Discover
Albemarle Hospital has other options that we can discuss
with you, such as Government Assisted Programs and our
Charity Care Program. Assistance is based on financial
need. You must provide required documentation in order
to qualify for assistance.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
ask for assistance from one of our professionally trained
financial counselors.
Contacts and Phone Numbers
Below are contacts and phone numbers that may be helpful
prior to, during, and after your service is rendered:
Billing Office (252) 384-4627
Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 8:30
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for any questions or concerns you have
about your patient bill after services have been rendered.
Preregistration (252) 384-4089
You may preregister for future visits Monday through Friday
from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please have your physician
order and insurance care in front of you when you call.
