Frequently Asked Questions about Billing
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- What should I do if I have questions about a bill?
Answer:
If you have a question about the way your insurance company paid or did not pay for a service listed on your statement from us, please call the claims or customer service number on your insurance card.
If you have a question about something else on your statement, please call your doctors’ office and ask to speak to a billing representative. You can also schedule an appointment with a representative to discuss your bill.
- Why did I receive a hospital bill in addition to my Pediatrician's bill?
Answer:
When a child is hospitalized, you will receive several bills in addition to ours.
- Hospitals will bill for their charges related to your child’s stay, including your child’s room, equipment, medicines, laboratory and diagnostic testing. For information on CHKD's billing process, view the CHKD's Billing and Insurance section.
- Independent specialists and providers bill for services of their health professionals who treated your child.
As a general rule of thumb, you can always call the phone number listed on the bill or your insurance company if you have questions about bills related to your child’s hospitalization.
- Is there a penalty for not paying promptly?
Answer:
Yes. The easiest way to avoid additional costs is to pay the amount due on the statement within 30 days of receiving it. Overdue fees are subject to late fees. Fees due longer than 90 days may be turned over to a collection agency .
- Why am I now being charged for services I thought were free?
Answer:
As the practice of medicine evolves to meet the changing needs of families, our business practices must also change to reflect the nature of the services we provide. Therefore, we may exercise a modest charge for providing additional services. Some of these services may include: after-hour advice, non-payment surcharge, forms completion, etc.
- Why did I receive multiple bills for my family?
Answer:
Just as every child has his or her own medical record, every child has his or her own account number. That means you will get separate statements for each child.
- Can I make one payment on multiple accounts?
Answer:
Yes. Please attach all invoices to the check and include a note indicating how payment should be split between the accounts.
- What happens if my account has been placed with a collections agency?
Answer:
Once an account is forwarded to an agency, you must contact the the agency to pay the balance. We no longer manage the account once it is forwarded. However, if you have questions about the actual services received, you should contact your doctor's office and ask for the billing department.