Let’s Talk Cost
By: Brenda Machmueller, RHIT, CPC
Boone County Health Center understands quality healthcare goes beyond the cost. In today’s world, however, patients shop around to make sure they are getting not only the best care but the best price. But comparing quotes from different healthcare facilities can be confusing. Some hospitals include costs and charges in their quotes that others don’t.
So how do you know if you are comparing apples to apples when looking at a quote for a medical procedure? Here are a few questions to ask when calling to get a quote:
- Is the doctor fee included in the quote? The doctor fee is the amount you are charged by the doctor or surgeon. This may be a separate bill from the one you get from the hospital your procedure was done at therefor may not be included in the quote. Be sure to get clarification on this.
- Which services are included in the quote? Check to see if the facility fee or anesthesia fee is included in each quote you are comparing.
- Has the person providing the quote contacted your insurance company to get an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs? You can have this done with any outpatient surgery by asking for a Patient Accounts Representative.
Each procedure is unique and so is each health insurance policy. For example, if two people have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and they work for different employers, their insurance plan may cover vastly different things. One person’s policy may pay for procedures the other won’t.
Our Patient Accounts Department works closely with each patient that has requested a quote. They will start by asking you facts such as the reason the procedure is needed, if due to a problem, for a screening, or due to family history.
Once our Patients Accounts Representative has all the information, they will give you the most accurate quote possible. Price transparency is important at BCHC. There may be things outside of our control that can alter your final bill such as something a doctor finds once the procedure has started. But we will do our best to give you as much information as we can ahead of time.
You are our patient, and we want you to feel good about your choices. To get a quote, call the hospital and ask to speak with a Patient Accounts Representative today.