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Financial Assistance and Billing FAQs

We are available to help you understand our Financial Assistance and your bill. If this section does not answer your question, please call our Patient Accounts Services Department at (603) 569-7684. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5 PM.

Should I contact my insurance company before coming to Huggins Hospital?
That depends on the services you are going to receive and your particular insurance policy and benefits. In general, it is a good idea to review your insurance policy and benefits before receiving medical services. In some cases, for instance, if you are coming in for laboratory tests or a chest x-ray, you may not need to notify your insurance company. However, for many other services such as an inpatient admission, day surgery, or any invasive diagnostic test/procedure, your insurance company may require that you notify them in advance. Lack of such notification could result in reduced benefits.

I have Medicare insurance. What should I expect when I visit Huggins Hospital?
If you are a Medicare patient, you will be asked a series of questions regarding your status including other insurance you may have; and your retirement. These questions are required by law and must be asked each time you visit us. If you are covered by Medicare, we will submit your claims to Medicare on your behalf. We are required by Medicare to provide only those services approved by Medicare as deemed medically necessary. In the event the service is not covered by Medicare, we may ask you to sign a notice that makes you financially responsible for the services provided. Additionally, we will bill you and/or your supplemental insurance carrier for services not covered by Medicare such as self-administered medications and routine health exams. However, if neither covers these services, you will be responsible for payment for these services.

Medicare Policies:  There are two parts to Medicare coverage: The Facility portion (Part A) of your bill and the Physician portion (Part B) of your bill. Each account may contain several claims, which the government requires us to bill separately to different claims processing centers of Medicare. Therefore, you may receive statements where the balance due from you changes as different parts of the account are paid. In addition to statements from Huggins Hospital, you may receive two separate Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) from Medicare. These will show total charges, what Medicare covered and what is still owed by you. The MSNs are not bills and you do not need to pay anything when you receive them.

If you have additional insurance coverage that pays after Medicare, we will bill each deductible and co-insurance amount to your insurance as the different parts of Medicare pay us. If your supplemental insurance pays all deductibles and co-insurance amounts in full, you may not receive a statement from us at all.

If you do not have additional insurance coverage beyond Medicare, you will receive statements for deductibles, co-insurance, and non-covered charges as Medicare pays its part of the claim. You may also receive statements from other providers or specialists who don't bill through Huggins Hospital. Balances are due in full when your statement is received.

Until your hospital bill is paid in full, you may receive additional correspondence from our office to keep you informed of the status of your account.

For 2014, the Medicare deductibles are:

Part A: $1,216 per benefits period
Part B: $147 per calendar year

Will I be asked to make any payment when I come to Huggins Hospital?
Depending on the type of insurance you have, you may be asked to pay your deductible and/or coinsurance.

Who is responsible for paying my bill?
The hospital will bill your insurance company directly (unless you specify otherwise), still, you are ultimately responsible for making certain that your bill is paid. If a balance remains after your insurance has issued a payment or a denial, payment is due immediately upon receipt of your statement.

What does my insurance cover?
Your insurance may not cover certain procedures, or 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. 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 healthcare plan and their services may not be covered.

6Why do I have to give my insurance information every time I visit Huggins Hospital?
We ask for your insurance information every time you visit to ensure that our records are accurate and up-to-date. Patients and/or employers change insurance carriers with great frequency. To process your bill quickly and accurately, we ask you for your insurance information on every visit. This gives us the opportunity to verify your insurance coverage and benefits.

How much is my deductible and coinsurance?
Your deductible and coinsurance amounts are determined by the insurance plan in which you are enrolled. This information should be included in your insurance benefits handbook. If you cannot find this information or have other questions, contact your insurance provider.

I am also covered on my spouse's insurance policy. Will you send bills to both insurance companies?
Yes, we will bill all insurance companies you provide information for.

What if I don’t have health insurance?
If you are not covered by health insurance and you will be paying your own bill, we ask that you pay at the time services are rendered. We have several payment options available to assist you.

Can I make payment arrangements?
If you believe you might have difficulty paying your hospital bill, call Patient Billing at (603) 569-7684. A representative will be glad to help you with financial counseling and will answer any questions you may have regarding payment. If you are unable to pay your hospital bill, our Patient Financial Services department will determine if you are eligible for a fee reduction or discounted services through our Patient Financial Assistance Program.

I would like a copy of my hospital bill. How can I request one?
To request a copy of your hospital bill, call (603) 569-7684.

How does the hospital bill get to my insurance company?
The hospital will submit your bills to your insurance company as a courtesy and will do everything possible to expedite your claim. But you should remember that your policy is a contract between you and your insurance company and you have the final responsibility for payment of your hospital bill.

We have several payment options available to assist you in paying your bill. Co-pays and deductibles will be collected at the point of service, if applicable.

Why am I getting multiple bills from one hospital visit?
Depending on the type of care you received, you may have separate hospital accounts with different account numbers. Some examples of hospital services which may be billed separately are: inpatient stays, outpatient labs, outpatient surgery, emergency room visits, and ongoing therapies. You may receive separate bills from physicians (including radiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other specialists) and other providers involved in your care.

Does the hospital bill include my physician's fees?
No. Some physicians who treat you in the hospital will bill you separately for their services. You may be billed by your primary physician as well as by your anesthesiologist, pathologist, radiologist, or any other physician(s) your doctor consults regarding your care.

How do I dispute an error in my bill?
Please notify us if you think your bill is inaccurate either by calling us at 603.569.7684 or by submitting your concern in writing. Written disputes should be mailed directly to Huggins Hospital at the address listed on the front of your bill. If you are writing to us, please include:

Your name and account number
The charge you feel may be inaccurate
An explanation of why you believe the bill is in error

If your concern is about the charges on your bill:

We will review your chart and bill for any discrepancies and call you with our findings.

If your concern is related to the quality of care you received:

Please visit our page to learn more about sharing your concerns. 

What form of payment do you accept?
Huggins Hospital accepts cash, check, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Call (603) 569-7684 if you’d like to pay by phone.

Did you receive my payment?
Any new payments made on your account should be reflected on your next account statement.

Why didn't my insurance pay?
You should have received an Explanation of Medical Benefits (EOMB) or Explanation of Payment (EOP) from your insurance company, showing how they considered your claim. This EOMB/EOP should have a contact telephone number or web site where you can reach your insurance company for questions. Please contact your insurance company or benefits office with questions about denied claims.

I just got a letter from a collection agency. Why?
As part of our normal billing process, we make several attempts to contact you to let you know what portion of your bill you are personally responsible for. We determine the amount you are responsible for after we have received payment or denial of payment from your insurance company. You may receive notice from a collection agency if, after repeated attempts to contact you, we have not heard from you or if we receive returned mail.

I keep getting bills from you. Why don't you bill my insurance company?
Huggins Hospital’s billing department will send you letters 30 to 90 days after the date of service. Please read this correspondence carefully, as it contains important information regarding the status of your account. If you are covered under an insurance policy or another party is responsible for your hospital bill, yet you receive a letter stating that you are responsible for the bill, contact us at (603) 569-7684. Please be prepared to provide your patient account number, which you will find at the top of your bill, and your insurance information. We will re-issue a bill to your insurance company.

Does Huggins Hospital provide financial assistance to patients that cannot afford to make complete payments?
Financial assistance is available for those patients residing in Huggins Hospital’s medical service area. Please contact us at (603) 569-7684 and one of our financial counselors will be able to assist you in applying for various government programs.