Billing Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I receiving more than one bill for the same surgery? There are a number of separate charges associated with your orthopaedic surgical procedure. You MAY receive charges from several entities for:

• ANESTHESIA SERVICES
• PATHOLOGY SERVICES
• LABORATORY SERVICES
• Your orthopaedic surgeon’s office – his/her fee for performing your surgery.
• An extended home health care service. At check-in, you are given a list of potential providers and their phone numbers or you may contact us for a list.

What type of credit cards do you accept? We accept all major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

When should I expect my first bill? We will bill you any balance due after your insurance company has paid your claim. There may be a delay if your insurance company has paid us incorrectly and we have re-submitted your claim for a corrected payment and allowance determination.

Do you charge interest? No, we do not charge interest.

Are we able to set up a payment plan? We do ask that all balances are paid in full within 60 days. If you encounter problems paying within the 60 days, please contact our office immediately at 833-677-4631 and ask for Mauro Cecchetti, our administrator, or email us at administrator@ospineasc.com.

What is included in my bill? We are dedicated to reducing the cost of your medical care. In fact, we do not itemize invoices since most orthopaedic procedures have established charges. You will receive separate invoices from us, your orthopaedic surgeon, anesthesiologist, or pathologist. Some specialty items may require additional charges.

What is your credit and payment policy? You are responsible for guaranteeing payment on your account and being aware of your individual policy restrictions and benefits. Your insurance company, including Worker’s Compensation, auto (no-fault) and personal injury, is legally responsible to you. Our relationship is with you, our patient, not your insurance company. Consequently, all charges incurred are your responsibility. The obligation to assure payment in a timely manner lies with you regardless of what your insurance company chooses to do. You should normally receive a response from your insurance company within 30 days of your date of service. If you experience a delay, it is expected that you contact your insurance company to check the status of your claim and to expedite payment. Please call our office at 833-677-4631 if you encounter a problem with your insurance company and need our assistance.

Notice to Patients You may contact the following entities to express any concerns, complaints, or grievances you may have:

Mauro Cecchetti, Administrator (833) 677-4631 administrator@ospineasc.com

MEDICARE

OFFICE OF THE MEDICARE BENEFICIARY OMBUDSMAN: Link to website

STATE AGENCY ATTN: LUCY GEE, DIVISION DIRECTOR FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DIVISION OF MEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE CONSUMER SERVICES UNIT 4052 BALD CYPRESS WAY, BIN C75 TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399 (888) 419-3456

Copays, deductibles, and coinsurances are expected on the day of surgery. Billed balances are due within 60 days.

We strongly encourage you to personally contact your insurance company about your upcoming surgery. It is mandatory that YOU, as the insurance subscriber, confirm that all prior authorization information necessary to your specific policy is completed before your surgery date. You may be penalized by your insurance company if you don’t follow your policy guidelines. You must understand what your benefits cover and how this may affect you financially.

We will submit insurance claims for you. We may request that your deductible and copay amounts are paid on your date of surgery. You will receive notice from us regarding the amount to pay.

Self-pay payments are due in full on the day of surgery.

If you anticipate difficulty in paying your bill within the 60-day period, please let us know immediately.

What if I can’t pay my portion? If you are unable to pay your estimated patient responsibility prior to the procedure or think you will have trouble paying your bill after your procedure, please call our office at 833-677-4631. Depending on your insurance and your circumstances, we may be able to make payment arrangements or refer you to a third-party medical lender.