|
| |
|
|
Each time you change health insurance companies, you will need to update your
insurance information with us. Be sure to bring your new insurance card
with you to your next visit. When you check in
for your appointment, notify the receptionist of the change in your
insurance. Our receptionist will ask you to update your information by
filling out a new patient information form. (You can also fill out a new
registration form at home by printing our online registration form - click
here to access our PDF patient information form. Downloading this
form requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free
at www.adobe.com) During
your next visit to our office, the receptionist will also
take a copy of your insurance card for our billing department. Once we have your new
insurance information, we will update the information in our computer system so
your new insurance will be billed for your visit.
Top of Page
|
|
|
You will need to call the billing office as soon as possible with your new
insurance information. You may be asked to fax a copy of your card to our
office so that we may accurately update your information in our system.
Failing to notify our office of an insurance change will most likely result in a
denial of payment from your expired policy as well as a delay in payment or
payment denial from your new insurance company. As a result, the balance
will be turned over to you for payment. It is very important to keep
your insurance information up to date with our practice.
Top of Page
|
|
|
On your statement you will most likely find a note explaining why your
insurance has not been billed for the visit or why your insurance has not covered the
bill. If the statement is instructing you to call our billing
office, please do so as soon as possible. If it is still unclear why you
are receiving a bill, please don't hesitate to contact the billing
office.
Top of Page
|
|
|
Chances are the statement was sent out before your payment
was posted to your account. However, please call the billing office to
confirm the payment has been received and posted to your account.
Top of Page
|
|
|
If the bill is not from Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Inc., you should call the phone
number given on the bill. Regardless if the lab was originally performed
in our office (for example, a Pap smear), or if the lab was ordered by your
provider (for example, a blood test), we do not have access to the laboratory
billing records.
Top of Page
|
|
|
You can send your payment to the billing department (please note your account
number on your check). The address to the billing department is:
Baystate Ob/Gyn Group, Inc.
246 Park Street, Suite 202
West Springfield, MA 01089
If you are unsure and/or disagree with why your insurance company has
denied payment, please call your insurance company. Although the billing
office may be able to provide some general information about why your
appointment was denied, we do not have information about your individual
insurance policy to answer specific questions about the reason for denial; your
insurance company will be able to explain the denial in greater detail. In most instances, your insurance card will have a customer service phone number
on the front or back of your card.
Top of Page
|
|
|
If your insurance company requires you to have a referral for an appointment
with our practice, it is important that you request your referral from your PCP
in advance, so he or she can prepare the referral before your visit. You can either have
your PCP mail the referral to us, or
you may hand-carry the referral to our office at the time of your
appointment. Each time you are seen in our practice, we require that you
sign a waiver on the back of your fee slip. This waiver allows
us to release information to your insurance company about your visit
and also acknowledges you as financially responsible for your visit if
your insurance company denies payment. If we do not have a referral on file for your visit, or if
you do not have a referral with you at the time of your appointment, your visit
may be denied by your insurance company and the balance will become your
responsibility.
Top of Page
|
|
|
Recent legislation has made it possible for women to
see their Ob/Gyn provider in most instances without a referral.
However, there may be special circumstances with your insurance policy
that still require you to obtain a referral. To find out if your insurance requires you to obtain a referral
from your PCP, please call your insurance company. Although your PCP or
our billing office may know about the general requirements of many insurances,
the best way to be sure about referrals and benefits is to consult your
insurance benefits handbook or call your insurance company.
Top of Page
|
|
|
If you do not have insurance (and are therefore considered
"self-pay"), you will need to contact our billing office prior
to your appointment so appropriate arrangements can be made for payment of
your visit. You can reach our billing department by calling
(413)
794-8460.
Top of Page
|
|
|
Our Financial Coordinator, Chris, will be able to assist you in setting
up a payment plan for your balance. It is important to establish
this payment plan as soon as you receive your initial bill to avoid
possible collection action. You can contact her at
(413)
794-5915.
Top of Page
|
|
|
If you have been contacted by First Financial, you will need to contact
them to discuss your account. Their contact information is as follows:
FIRST
FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
P.O.
Box 2586
1001 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701
Phone:
1-800-747-2302
Fax: 508-875-4763
You
can also visit them online at http://ffrcollects.com/index.html.
Top of Page
This page was updated 5/13/04 |
|
