They didn't make me pay in the emergency room but I know I have copay?

Question

Will I just get a bill in the mail? I'm positive I have to pay something but the clerk said it doesn't say on my insurance card.

Answer 1

they will bill you and you cannot hide they will get there money one way or another. count on it.

Answer 2

Yes, you'll get a bill - probably after the insurance processes the claim.

To avoid problems, about six weeks from when you went to the ER, call the hospital billing department and "check the status" of your account. Hospitals are notorious for sitting on a patient's bill and then sending them to collection - which screws your credit.

Answer 3

The hospital will bill your insurance company, then send you a statement for the balance, if any, which will be your deductible and/or copay amount.

Answer 4

Once your health insurance has processed the claim and paid their portion, the hospital will send you a bill for your share.  This will likely include your co-payment and anything that the insurance didn't pay.

I'd allow 30-45 days, and then I'd follow up with the hospital to see when they're going to bill you.

Answer 5

Oh, dont' worry, they'll catch up to you.  I reference the $600.00 bill I just received.  

I'd put the co-pay you know you owe away so it is easy to pay it without worrying when the bill does come.

Answer 6

Generally your insurance card will state the copays for your policy, or if not there will be an 800 number provided so that the hospital can contact the insurance company and get preauthorization and copay information. If the hospital was particularly busy when you were there or short staffed, then they will skip the call unless you need a procedure that they know will be denied or that you will be penalized for if they don't receive preauthorization.

They will bill everything through your insurance company first. Your insurance company will review the charges apply the network discounts they've negotiated with the hospital and then apply the coinsurance less any copay and/or deductible amounts you are responsible for under the terms of your policy. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the insurance company breaking down how they settled your account, and it will list the amount that you will owe the hospital. They will send this information to the hospital, whose billing department will then send you a bill for the amount that you owe.

You should double check the bill you receive from the hospital against the EOB to ensure that you have not been overcharged. If there is a discrepancy you should contact the hospital and provide a copy of the EOB as documentation that you have been overcharged. Most hospitals have a certain amount of time to settle accounts or they can lose negotiated fees, etc. so they should be fairly responsive if there is an issue.

Answer 7

Yes, you will.

Answer 8

You'll receive a bill in the mail.

ER copays are rarely collected at the time of service - in the middle of an emergency, the bigger concern is getting your treatment started.  Usually more urgent circumstances than a standard doctor's office visit check up.

Also, most insurance policies have a clause that your ER copay is waived if you are admitted to the hospital.  So, at the time you're checking into the ER, the clerk obviously has no way of knowing if you're going to be admitted or discharged until the doctor sees you.

Answer 9

Contact the hospital's billing department and be sure they have your name, address and insurance information correct in thier system.  Don't just sit back and wait, assuming all is fine.