Billing

...click each question below for the answer

• When should I expect to receive my hospital bill?
If you have no insurance or did not present insurance at the time of your service, you should receive your hospital bill with two weeks after discharge or date of outpatient service
If you verified your insurance information when you registered, you will not receive a bill until:
 - Your insurance company denies the claim
 - Your insurance company pays the claim, leaving a coinsurance, deductible or non-covered services
 - Your insurance company hasn't responded to the claim
However, you will receive a monthly statement advising you of the account status until your insurance responds.  close answer


• What information will be included in my bill?
Your bill will contain a summarized list of the supplies, drugs, tests and procedures provided to you by Baptist Health Care. You should keep this for your records.  close answer


• When do I become responsible for my bill?
You are legally responsible for your bill at the time you receive services from the hospital. Patient balances should be paid immediately after you are notified. If you are unable to pay in full, please contact us to set up payment arrangements.  close answer


• What if I get more than one bill?
You may receive more than one bill for the same hospital stay. These bills are for services provided by physicians, anesthesiologists, radiologists or other healthcare professionals. If you have any questions about a specific bill, please call (850) 469-2000.  close answer


• How can I pay my patient balance?
Baptist Health Care offers several payment options:
 - You can pay for your Baptist Health Care hospital services online here.
 - You can pay cash, check, money order, or credit card at the our office location at the address below.
 - You can pay check, money order, or credit card by mailing this payment method to us. Make the check or money order payable to the Baptist Health Care and include your account number. Mail to Baptist Health Care Business Office, 1302 West Moreno Street, Pensacola, FL 32501.
 - You can pay your balance by credit card over the phone, make payment arrangements, ask additional questions or resolve account issues by calling a customer service representative at (850) 469-2000.  close answer


• Which bill can I pay online?
Currently, online bill payment is only available for services rendered at a Baptist Hospital. This includes X-rays, inpatient services and other medical care the hospital provided. Please note though, some services rendered at our facilities may result in a physician bill which cannot be paid using our billing system. Such services may include - but are not limited to - Radiology, Pathology and ER visits; these services need to be paid to the source that billed you.  close answer


• Why can't I pay for my doctor's office bill online?
Baptist Health Care holds no responsibility for physician office charges. Physician billing is generated by the physician practice and are issued from a different billing system. The billing system for visits to your doctor's office is different than the hospital billing system. For this reason, you may receive a bill from another source that provided you service at our facility. For example - Radiology, Pathology and ER visits are rendered here but you may incur additional charges from those physicians which cannot be paid using our billing system.  close answer


• Online Bill Payment

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Insurance

• Should I bring my insurance card with me to the hospital?
Yes, the information on your insurance card is needed for the hospital to file a claim with your insurance company or companies. When you register we will ask for information about your insurance coverage and have you sign a few forms. This registration process goes much faster when you bring your insurance information with you.  close answer


• Do I need to let my insurance company know that I'm going to be in the hospital? What will they cover?
We encourage you to check with your insurance company or your employer about this. Because there are so many types of insurance plans, it is difficult for us to tell you whether or not you need prior approval or notification for your hospital stay. Contact your insurance company or your employer with specific questions about what is or is not covered by your insurance plan.  close answer


• How do I know if my insurance company will cover my visit or certain services?
Coverage varies with each insurance company. Generally, the hospital staff does not know whether a particular service will be covered. Medically necessary and appropriate services may not always be covered by your insurance contract. Please refer to your insurance member handbook or call your insurance company with questions.  close answer


• How do I know if my insurance company will cover services provided by all professionals (i.e. anesthesiologists, radiologists and pathologists) involved with my treatment?
We encourage you to check with your insurance company or your employer about this. Each professional needs to contract individually with insurance companies and the hospital does not know if each professional is contracted with your insurance company.  close answer


• Will you bill my insurance company for me?
Yes, as a courtesy we will bill your insurance company. It is your responsibility to provide any requested information to your insurance company (accident information, claim forms).  close answer


• How will I know if my insurance company has paid my bill?
If there is a balance due from you after the insurance company has paid its portion, we will send you a statement. This statement indicates the amount that has been paid and any balance you are required to pay. This is your bill. You are required to pay this bill in full or will need to contact our office.  close answer


• How do I follow-up with my insurance company?
Before you call, have available your insurance card, date of service, facility name, original billed amount, patient name and claim number if applicable. Obtain satisfactory status of account. If paid, ask when and to whom. Note this information and with whom you spoke to at the insurance company. If the bill has not been paid, find out when the anticipated payment date is and ask if they need anything from you. If the bill is not paid in the stated timeframe, follow-up with the insurance company again and, if necessary, request to speak to a supervisor.  close answer


• What do I do if I disagree with how much my insurance company has paid on my bill?
If you disagree with the insurance company's payment amount, contact the insurance company and ask them to review how the claim was processed. If the insurance company finds that an error was made, note the information and whom you talked to at the insurance company. Request an anticipated payment date and ask if they need anything from you. If the insurance company feels the bill was paid correctly and you still disagree, find out from the insurance company what you need to do to file an "appeal" with them. Filing an appeal will not guarantee that the insurance company will pay more on your bill, but the claim will be reviewed for reconsideration.  close answer


• Will I be required to pay anything when I arrive at the hospital?
Upon admission, you will be required to pay the difference, if any, between your verified insurance benefits and the estimated charges for your stay. This amount is based on the average of actual daily hospital charges for patients admitted with similar diagnoses, multiplied by the number of days you are expected to be in the hospital. Your actual charges may be more or less than the estimate. If they are less, you will receive a refund. The deposit does not include your physician's charges or those of other consulting physicians. Those costs will be billed to you directly, once you have returned home.  close answer


• Does Baptist provide free care for patients without insurance?
Baptist Health Care is a state and federally funded hospital. Baptist Health Care does provide an assistance program for those that qualify. Our outpatient practices require some type of payment at the time of the service. Most all departments will work with patients to reach an agreement as to the amount that is owed per each visit. For specific information, please contact a financial representative in the office in which you wish to be seen.  close answer


• Does Baptist Health Care accept my insurance?
  
Insurance acceptance varies from physician to physician in our outpatient practices. To find out if a specific physician will accept your insurance, you may contact the Baptist Health Care Business Office at (850) 469-2000. A service representative will be happy to assist you.  close answer

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Medicare

• How much will Medicare or Medicaid pay?
Medicare and Medicaid will pay for hospital services. You will be responsible for the co-payment. If you belong to a Medicaid Managed Care Plan or if you signed over your Medicare benefits to a managed care plan, you may need an authorization to see a UF physician or receive hospital services. Visit our Insurance information online to find out more specific information.  close answer


• Why do I have to give you information about other insurance if I have Medicare coverage?
Medicare requires us to bill any insurance company that could have responsibility for your expenses before we bill Medicare. In fact, Medicare will not allow us to file claims until the other insurer has denied claims. In certain situations, the hospital must consider the possibility that another party may be responsible for your expenses before we bill Medicare. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, at your work site or on someone else's property, it is the hospital's responsibility to make sure those claims are filed appropriately. Consequently, we need to have complete information about all insurance coverage you have.  close answer


• Do I have to sign any forms before Baptist can bill Medicare?
You will be asked to sign a Consent for Treatment form each time you receive services. You will also be asked questions each time you receive services that Medicare requires we ask.  close answer


• I have health insurance in addition to Medicare coverage. Will you bill that insurance company also?
If you have given us information about your additional health insurance, we will bill that insurance company after Medicare makes their payment.  close answer


• What is the Medicare Explanation of Benefits form?
The Explanation of Benefits form is an information document that Medicare sends to you after it has processed your medical claims. The Explanation of Benefits form provides you with information about the payment status of your bill.  close answer


• What is the difference between Part A and Part B Explanation of Benefits forms?
Part A covers inpatient hospitalization and Part B covers outpatient and physician services.  close answer


• What should I do with the Explanation of Benefits forms?
We recommend you keep the Explanation of Benefits forms you receive from Medicare until all your medical claims have been paid in full. If you have other health insurance in addition to Medicare coverage, your insurance company will normally require a copy of the Explanation of Benefits from you before they will pay any remaining balance on your account.  close answer


• Should I pay the balance that is listed as "your total responsibility" on the Explanation of Benefits form?
No. This amount could change depending on your individual insurance coverage. You should wait until you receive a bill from your medical provider before making payment.  close answer


• Will I have to pay any money for my hospital visits?
As a Medicare patient, you will only be responsible for non-covered charges, co-pays and deductible amounts. These amounts may vary depending on your Medicare coverage. We do not know what your payment may be until we receive the notification from Medicare. Once Medicare lets us know your responsibility, we will bill your other health insurance company (if you have coverage) for the balance. If you do not have other health insurance, you will be billed for the balance.  close answer

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Medical Records

• How do I request a copy of my medical records?
For medical record request or release of medical information, please contact Release of Information at (850)469-7119. This page will list all information and requirements for obtaining or releasing your medical records. close answer


• How do I find out about my test results?
Test results are considered medical records. For medical record request or release of medical information, please contact Release of Information at (850)469-7119. This page will list all information and requirements for obtaining or releasing your medical records.

Please try contacting the ordering physicians office (of your test) for the results first, before contacting the Release of Information Office.  close answer


• I was born in a different state, can I get a copy of my birth certificate from Baptist Health Care?
Baptist Health Care does not provide birth certificate copies. Patients needing copies of their certificates of birth will need to contact the Escambia County Health Department by phone (850) 595-6531. You can also mail your request to:

Escambia County Health Department
Department of Vital Statistics
1295 W. Fairfiled Drive
Pensacola, FL 32501  close answer


• How can I request my medical records from Baptist Health Care?
To request your medical record from Baptist Health Care, please contact the medical records department at:

Baptist Hospital
Attn: Medical Records
P.O. Box 17804
Pensacola, FL 32504

or call (850) 469-7119  close answer

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