What is your financial policy?

The following statement is our Financial Policy. It is required that

the patient and/or responsible party (hereinafter referred to as

“you”) read and sign this statement prior to any treatment.

We are committed to providing you with the best possible care.

We want to make sure that every encounter you have with the

Hearing Healthcare Center from Patient Care to Billing is a

positive and refreshing experience. We strive to maintain

affordable access to top quality services by strict enforcement

of our financial policies.

 

SELF PAY

Payment for services is due at the time services are rendered

from all uninsured patients unless payment arrangements have

been approved in advance by our staff. In this case you will have

90 days to pay your account balance in full – service charges

will not be applied. 

WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECKS, VISA OR MASTERCARD

 

INSURANCE

We participate in most insurance programs, including Uniform,

Premera, Regence, Aetna, Medicare, First Choice, etc. If you

have medical insurance, we are anxious to help you receive your

maximum allowable benefits.

We reserve the right to accept or deny assignment of

insurance benefits. If we accept assignment of benefits it is your

responsibility to supply our office with a copy of your current

insurance card. We must emphasize that our relationship is

with you, not your insurance company. We are not a party to

that contract. It is your responsibility to call the insurance

company and verify insurance coverage for services at this

office. In some cases we can call your insurance as a courtesy

to you. All benefits quoted are a general outline and are not a

guarantee of payment. While the filing of insurance claims is a

courtesy that we extend to you, the balance on your account is

100% your responsibility. Please keep in mind that some of the

services provided may be non-covered services. Some services

may not be considered reasonable and/or necessary by

Medicare or other medical insurances.

 

INSURANCE PAYMENTS DELAYS

In the event we do accept assignment of benefits and your

insurance company has not paid your account in full within 60

days, you will be expected to pay your balance. If your insurance

company later pays, we will refund your payment. Alternatively, you

may be asked to assist us in resolving issues with your insurance

company to avoid holding you responsible for unpaid claims.

 

CHANGES IN INSURANCE COVERAGE

If you have a change in insurance coverage, it is your responsibility

to make sure we have all of the pertinent information on file. Any

expenses not covered by your insurance plan will be billed to you.

 

DSHS/MOLINA/CHPW

HHC is currently closed to additional adults on Medicaid. Children

with Medicaid are welcome. Regretfully, as they pay far less

than our costs, you must understand that we may not always be

able to continue your care with that payment source.

 

NON-PARTICIPATING INSURANCE PLANS

If the HHC does not participate with your insurance plan several

options are available:

1. You may pay the balance in full today and request an itemized

statement of the visit and file a claim with your insurance.

2. We can file a claim to your insurance company on your

behalf.

3. You may contact our Billing Office to set-up a payment

arrangement splitting today’s balance into two equal monthly

payments. Self-addressed dated envelopes will be provided.

 

USUAL AND CUSTOMARY

Our charges are based on the usual and customary rates and

generally considered to fall within the acceptable range by most

insurance companies.

 

MEDICARE

The clinic will accept assignments for Medicare patients.

Medicare will only cover hearing testing (restrictions apply); they

will NOT COVER new hearing aids and any adjustments to your

current ones.

 

WORKER’S COMPENSATION

It is your responsibility to inform us of the carrier’s name and

address, contact person, telephone number, and claim number.

It is to be understood that you are 100% responsible for

services not covered by your Worker’s Compensation Plan.

 

NEW-BORN INSURANCE COVERAGE

It is your responsibility to make sure your newborn child is

added to your insurance. If you do not have your child added to

your insurance plan, you will be considered a self-pay patient

and payment in full will be expected from you.

 

CO-PAYS AND DEDUCTIBLES

Co-pays and deductibles are your responsibility – no exclusions.

Please understand that we cannot afford to work for free. Be

advised that your account may be sent to an outside collection

agency even for a small balance if it is not settled by the due date.

 

“NO-SHOW” AND CANCELLED APPOINTMENTS

If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment PLEASE

be courteous by canceling or rescheduling at least 24 hours in

advance. Failure to do so results in higher costs and

inconvenience to other patients.

 

COLLECTION LETTERS AND PAYMENT PLANS

If you receive a collection letter from us the most important thing

you can do is contact us. We will assist you in setting up satisfactory

payment arrangements. We realize that temporary financial problems

may affect timely payment of your account. If such problems do arise,

we encourage you to contact us promptly for assistance in the

management of your account. Payment plans are available by

contacting our Billing Office at (360) 754-0305 Monday

through Thursday between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

 

SERVICE CHARGES

You agree to pay a finance charge at the rate of the greater $5.00

or 1% for each subsequent monthly statement on all unpaid

balances commencing 60 days from the date of service or date of

initial billing. You also agree to pay a $40.00 service charge on all

return checks. If your account becomes delinquent, you agree to pay

any additional charges to collect your unpaid bills, including but not

limited to, reasonable attorney fees, court costs and collection

agency fees. By agreeing with this policy you do acknowledge that

we reserve the right to release any patient information to an outside

collection agency deemed necessary to assist their staff and their

attorneys in the collection of this debt. The venue of said legal action

may be laid in Thurston/Pierce/Lewis Counties, Washington.

HHC really does expect prompt payment.