Policies
Becker Family Medicine, S.C.
Call us: 630-906-9320
Policies
We at Becker Family Medicine are committed to providing you with quality and affordable health care. Please understand that payment of your bill is part of this treatment and care. Read these policies and feel free to ask us any questions you may have.
Financial Responsibility:
It is important for you to understand that you, the patient, are ultimately responsible for payment of medical services you have received. Cash, personal check or credit card are accepted methods of payment.
Proof of Insurance:
All patients must complete our patient information form. We must obtain a copy of your driver's license and current, valid insurance card to provide proof of insurance. If you fail to provide us with the correct insurance information at each visit you may be responsible for the balance of a claim.
Non-Contracted or Commercial Plans:
If you are not insured by a plan we are contracted with, payment in full is expected at each visit. We will prepare and send a claim as a courtesy for you. Knowing your insurance benefits and which medical providers are found in your insurance network is your responsibility. All out of network charges are your responsibility at the time of service. Please contact your employer or insurance company with any questions you may have regarding your coverage.
Network or Contracted Plans:
We participate in many insurance plans. If you are insured by a plan we are contracted with, you will be billed according to guidelines established by the insurance company. If you are insurned by a plan we are contracted with, but do not have an up-to-date insurance card or are unable to provide proof of insurance, payment in full for each visit is required until we can verify your coverage.
Co-payments and Deductibles:
All co-payments and deductibles must be paid at the time of service. This arrangement is part of your contract with your insurance company. Failure on our part to collect co-payments and deductibles from patients can be considered a breach of contract. Co-payments will be collected at patient check-in. A $20.00 Billing Fee will be added to accounts each time a co-payment is not made at the time of service.
Non-Covered Services:
Please be aware that some, and perhaps all, of the services you receive may be non-covered or not considered "reasonable" or "necessary" by your insurer. Keep in mind that a medical necessity is not the same as a medical benefit. A medical necessity is something that your doctor has decided is necessary as part of your medical treatment. A medical benefit is something that your insurance plan has agreed to cover. In some cases, your medical provider might decide that you need medical care that is not covered by your insurance policy. Insurance companies determine what tests, drugs and services they will cover as part of an individual plan. These choices are based on their understanding of the kinds of medical care that most patients need. Your insurance company's choices may mean that the test, drug or service you need isn't covered by your policy. While our office may be aware that these restrictions could exist, our patients represent thousands of insurers with as many benefit plans. Unfortunately, we will not be able to know for certain if your insurer will "cover" your services. However, if, in our opinion, the service you are receiving may not be covered, you will be asked to pay at the time of service. It is your responsibility to understand the terms of your individual insurance plan and the services which are covered, are not covered and have limited coverage. You may be responsible for payment of any services considered non-covered by your insurance plan.
Claims Submission:
We will submit your claims and assist you in any way we reasonably can to help get your claims paid. Your insurance company may need you to supply certain information directly. It is your responsibility to comply with their request. We will make every attempt to receive proper payment from your insurance company for services provided. If, however, we are unable to get a satisfactory response from your insurance company within 60 days, the balance will become the your responsibility.
Uninsured:
Patients not covered by health insurance are expected to pay in full at each visit without exception. New patients to our practice will be asked for a $50.00 deposit at the time of check-in to be applied toward their first visit. Uninsured patients are eligible for a prompt pay discount (see below).
Statements:
Statements are mailed on a monthly cycle. Payment in full is due within 25 days. Accounts with balances remaining after receiving two (2) statements are considered overdue. If your account is 60 days past due, you will receive a letter stating you have 15 days to pay your account in full. You may receive a second letter if the balance remains unpaid. Please be aware that if a balance remains unpaid, we may refer your account to a collection agency. When an account is referred to a collection agency the agency fee will be added to the outstanding balance. The agency fee is 30% of the outstanding balance.
Past Due Balance:
Any balance more than 60 days old will be considered past due. Once a balance is past due, payment will be required before your next visit in the office. We ask that you please make a payment over the telephone when scheduling your appointment. Or, you can make a payment at the time of service before you are seen for your next visit. Failure to make payment on a past due balance before your next scheduled appointment will result in the cancellation of your appointment and you will need to reschedule once payment is made.
Prompt-pay Discount:
Our office offers a prompt pay discount to patients who pay in full at the time of service. Please ask our Front Office staff about this program.
Returned Check:
Checks written at the time of your visit or mailed as payment on an account balance that are returned by the bank will be assessed a $20.00 Returned Check Charge. If the original check amount plus the Returned Check Charge is not paid with 15 days your account will be considered for transfer to the collection agency.
Completion of Forms:
The "Patient" section of any form must be completed before we can accept your form. Any form or letter request must be allowed five (5) business days for completion, pending the doctor's availablity for signature. All form completion fees must be paid in full before the forms are returned to you or forwarded on your behalf. Please ask our Front Office staff about fees associated with different forms.
