Gastroenterology of Southwest Michigan
Financial Policy
There are many changes in the healthcare industry. Today’s patients are becoming more informed and taking a proactive approach in their medical care and the financial decisions required for an informed decision.
Our financial services staff is available to guide you with concerns regarding your insurance coverage. It is wise to contact your insurance company to receive the best description of your policy coverages.
No Shows and Cancellations:
In the event you are unable to make your appointment, please contact our office 48 hours prior to your office or procedure appointment time. We have several patients that are waiting for earlier appointments and your notifying our practice, should you be unable to make your appointment, enables someone else to use your time slot. If you fail to notify our practice there may be a no show/cancellation fee of at least $20.00.
Returned Checks/NSF Policy:
Should your payment be returned to us due to insufficient funds, we will charge you only what the bank charges our office. Typically these charges are ranging $25.00 to $35.00 dependent upon your financial institution.
Insurances
We are contracted with many insurance companies and plans. Some of which include, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue Care Network, Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, Blue Cross PPO, Aetna, PPOM, United Healthcare, PHCS & Health Scope, Priority Health as well as others, please contact our financial services department for additional information We encourage you to contact our billing office if you have questions or concerns.
After your visit…Your claim will be submitted in a timely manner to your Insurance or network administrator. Once a reply is received from the insurer, and should you have a secondary insurance we will process a secondary claim with the appropriate documentation. It is our policy to only bill two insurances. After both insurances have responded to your claim you will then receive a statement.
Collection Policy
All unpaid balances are reviewed for collections after 90 days. Any fees incurred through collections are the patients responsibility.
We can work with you! Ultimately we do request payment in full upon receipt of your mailed statement. If you find that this is not in your means, feel free to contact us to set up a payment plan. Payment plans are to be paid monthly. If a monthly payment is not received, the account will revert back to the original collection process. Should you be concerned about the financial aspects of your procedure it is strongly recommended that you communicate with our Financial Services Department.
Patients with last names:
A-M can call 269-488-3686
N-Z can call 269-349-8930
Note: When outpatient surgeries are scheduled, there will be additional billings from the facility(Kalamazoo Endo Center, Bronson and Borgess), pathology and perhaps other medical professional organizations.
KEC Financial Responsibility Guidelines
1. The fee that we charge for our services covers the non-professional component of your procedure also known as the “technical” or “facility” fee which includes the cost of operating this facility including equipment, staff, rent, supplies, etc. You will receive a separate bill from the physician’s office for their professional services, and possibly the laboratory for any pathology services. The Center does not employ or control the laboratory or physicians. The facility, laboratory and physicians’ professional office are all separate legal entities providing separate and distinct services.
2. As a courtesy to our patients, insurance claims will be submitted on the patient’s behalf to the insurance company specified during the registration process as long as we have the complete name and address of the insurance company, the subscriber’s name, social security number and birth date, and the group number and any other required pre-authorization for the procedure.
3. We expect all known co-payments and deductibles, except for those due under Medicare/Medicaid or other federal health care programs, to be paid at the time of service or as required by the contract between the patient, the insurer, and our center. We reserve the right to collect copays, deductibles and co-insurance upon notification by the insurer.
4. Some insurers require pre-certification, preauthorization, or a written referral. It is the patient’s responsibility to understand the insurance plan requirements and ensure that the proper authorization is obtained at least 3 days prior to the date of service. Failure to do so may result in denial of the claim by the insurer. We cannot accept responsibility for a disputed claim.
5. If you are having financial difficulty or have any questions, please contact our Billing Office to discuss your account. Non-payment of accounts will result in referral to an outside collection agency that could impact the patient’s credit record. Legal fees and collection costs incurred to collect outstanding accounts will be the patient’s responsibility.
Please contact our KEC Billing Office at 1-800-514-8959.