Financial Matters     If You Have Health Insurance You will need a copy of your identification card. We may also need the insurance forms which are supplied by your employer or the insurance company. You will be asked to assign benefits from the insurance company directly to the hospital. Natchez Regional Medical Center will contact your insurance company or employer to determine allowable benefits under your health insurance policy. Depending on those benefits, required medical services, and the estimated length of your stay, we may request a cash deposit. Please remember that your hospitalization coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company. We want to cooperate to the fullest in helping expedite your claim, but you are ultimately responsible for your account. All patients should familiarize themselves with the terms of their insurance coverage. This will help you understand the hospital's billing procedures and charges. Also, please note that most health insurance plans normally do not provide full coverage of your hospital bill. When you are discharged from the hospital, the hospital requires payment in full, or satisfactory arrangements on any estimated balance not covered by your insurance. Forty-five days from the date your insurance claim is filed, any remaining balance will be your responsibility, or that of the person guaranteeing your hospital account. If You Are a Member of an HMO or a PPO Your plan may have special requirements, such as a second surgical opinion or pre-certification for certain tests or procedures. It is your responsibility to make sure the requirements of your plan have been met. Pre-authorization is the responsibility of the patient and the physician. If your plan's requirements are not followed, you may be financially responsible for all or part of the services rendered in the hospital. Some physician specialists may not participate in your health care plan, and their services may not be covered. If You Are Covered by Medicare We will need a copy of your Medicare card to verify eligibility and process your Medicare claim. You should be aware that the Medicare program specifically excludes payment for certain items and services such as cosmetic surgery, some oral surgery procedures, personal comfort items, hearing evaluations, and others. Deductibles and co-payments also are the responsibility of the patient. If You Are Covered by Medicaid We will need a copy of your Medicaid card. Medicaid also has payment limitations on a number of services and items. Medicaid does not pay for the cost of a private room unless medically necessary. If You Have No Insurance A representative from the Business Office will discuss financial arrangements with you. A hospital representative is available to assist you in applying for Medicaid or other government assistance programs. Your Hospital Bill Your bill reflects all of the services you receive during your stay. Charges fall into two categories: a basic daily rate, which includes your room, meals, nursing care, housekeeping, telephone and television; and charges for special services which include items your physician orders for you, such as x-rays or laboratory tests. If a problem develops with your insurance coverage while you are in the hospital, one of our Patient Account Representatives will get in touch with you. At the time you are discharged, all charges may not have been posted to your account. A final statement will be mailed to you shortly after your discharge. Itemized charges will be sent to you on request. Business Office Our Business Office is ready to assist you in every possible way. While you are in the hospital and after discharge, questions about collections, payment arrangements, account information, billing, or insurance claims should be directed to the following: Patient Account Representatives Patient's Last Name beginning with A through D - extension 2119 Patient's Last Name beginning with E through J - extension 2775 Patient's Last Name beginning with K through R - extension 2709 Patient's Last Name beginning with S through Z - extension 2706 Physicians' Fees In addition to your hospital bill, you will receive separate bills from your private physician and any specialists that he or she may have called upon for consultation. If you have surgery, you will also receive a bill from your anesthesiologist. Professional fees for a physician's supervision and interpretation of all tests and examinations (such as radiology, lab, and Heart Station) also will be billed separately. Natchez Regional Medical Center does not file insurance claims for these professional services. The emergency physician charges are billed separately also. Questions about those bills should be addressed to 1-800-604-9532.