Financial Policy
Effective June 5, 2023, we are implementing a convenient payment policy using a credit card held on file. Many insurance plans require copays, deductibles, and coinsurance that are patient responsibility. To make managing payments easier for both our patients and our staff, we will now ask you for a credit card at the time of booking or check-in. Your card information will be held securely until your insurances have paid their portion and notified us of the amount you owe. Any remaining balance owed by you will be communicated via one paper statement via USPS. You will have 30 days to pay your balance with a different method or we will process the balance due to your card on file by the 15th of the following month. We will email you a receipt for the charge.
Office personnel will not have access to your card information. Only the last 4 digits of your card will show in our system. A valid credit card, debit card, HSA or FSA card will be accepted.
Cards on File will be used for:
Copays – When you come into the office, we will ask you if you want to use your card on file to pay your copay for that day’s visit. You may choose to present another card if preferred, or any other form of payment accepted by our office.
Deductibles – We require a $100 deposit at the time of check in for PPO plans with remaining deductibles over $500. This is because the patient is responsible for 100% of eligible health care expenses until their deductible has been met. After that, you share the cost with your plan by paying coinsurance. Any unused deposit amount will be refunded after the claim is processed.
Co-Insurance – Your card on file will be utilized to pay for your percentage not covered by insurance and not paid at the time of your visit or service. For example: If your insurance covers 80%, we will require the 20% balance to be paid after your insurance has paid their portion.
Outstanding Balances – If your account has a previous outstanding balance, your card on file may be used to settle that outstanding balance.
Cancellation Fees– We understand that life gets busy and schedule conflicts do arise. However, we ask that if you are unable to keep your appointment that you kindly provide us with 48-hour notice so that other patients may be seen in a timely manner. Failure to notify us of your inability to attend your appointment within 48 hours will result in the following cancellation fees:
The Financial Policy you signed when you enrolled with our practice covers this change, as it states that “Payment is due when services are rendered”. This is just another form of collecting that payment. Nothing is changing about how much you pay. When you come to our office and receive a service, you do so with the understanding that you are ultimately responsible for the cost of your care. This notice is available on our website and presented to our patients at check-in.
See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why the change?
Nothing is changing about how much you pay. When you come to our office and receive a service, you do so with the understanding that you are ultimately responsible for the cost of your care. With the changing environment in healthcare, more high deductible health plans, more responsibility of payment falls on the patient. We need to be sure that patient balances are paid in a timely manner. To do this, we need to ensure we have a guarantee of payment on file in our office. We have wonderful patients, and we know most of you pay your balances. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Although this may be surprising to you, we are not the first medical practice to enforce this policy, and you will begin to see it more and more.
What are the benefits to me?
Convenience: Patients who have a credit card will no longer have to worry about statements and mailing in payments. You can also use it to pay for future visits without having to bring your card to each visit. Having a credit card on file will make check-in and check-out easier, faster, and more efficient for patients. Our office staff can spend our time on things we think are more important, like following up with insurance claims, helping patients on the phone and in-person and working to make your visit the best it can be.
How does this work?
At check-in, we will ask you to sign a “Card on File Agreement.” We will only charge the amount that we are instructed to by your insurance plan in the explanation of benefits (EOB) that they send to us after your visit. If the payment is declined, we will request updated card information or an alternative form of payment.
What if I do not have a credit card?
A valid credit card, debit card, health savings account (HSA) card or flexible spending account (FSA) card will be accepted.
What about identity theft and privacy?
Square Inc, our credit card processing vendor, will store your information on a secure and encrypted server. Square complies with all required PCI standards. Office personnel will not have access to your card information. Only the last 4 digits of your card will show in our system.
I’ve never had to do this before at any other doctor’s office.
This may be different from what you are used to, but it is not uncommon in many medical practices, imaging centers, outpatient surgical centers and outpatient laboratories to require a card on file. This is similar to hotels and rental car agencies that require a credit card to be kept on file.
What if I need to dispute my bill?
We will always work with you to understand if there has been a mistake. Should your card be mistakenly run, we will refund your card. We will only charge the amount that we are instructed to by your insurance plan in the EOB they send to us.