Insurance Information & Billing

Stephens County Hospital provides the same quality of care to all patients – whether or not they have health insurance. However, all patients share some financial responsibility for that care. As a valued patient, we want you to know and understand your financial responsibility for your visit or hospital stay. It is important that you bring the following information with you to each visit:

• Photo ID (Driver’s License, Georgia Identification card, Military I.D.,  U.S. Passport)
• Insurance Card

We can help you understand your benefits and any responsibility you may have for deductibles, co-insurance or co-payments. We expect payment at time of service – we accept cash, check, debit card or credit card (VISA, MasterCard & Discover).

Understanding Your Bill

When receiving care at Stephens County Hospital on either an inpatient or outpatient basis, or at one of our satellite locations, you will most likely receive more than one bill for your visit. We have provided information to help you better understand the billing process,

Your Hospital Bill

Your hospital bill may include radiology, laboratory and other testing services, operating room services, inpatient room and board charges, emergency services, pharmacy, medical supplies and other services provided by the hospital. If you had a procedure during your stay requiring the services of an Anesthesiologist, you will receive a separate Anesthesiology bill. Any lab work performed during your stay that required processing at another laboratory facility will receive a separate Pathology bill.

Your Physician’s Bill

Bills for physician services will include office visits, examinations, test analysis, surgical procedures and consultations performed by physicians and physician assistants. These services may also include Anesthesiology and Pathology. These services may be performed in a physician’s office or on the hospital campus. You may also receive a separate bill for lab work that was processed as part of your visit.

Your Physician Practice Bill

(Stephens County Hospital Physician Group)

Your Physician Practice (Stephens County Hospital Physician Group) bill will include physician charges for your office visits, examinations, test analysis, surgical procedures and consultations performed by physicians and physician assistants. You may also receive a separate bill for lab work that was processed as part of your visit.

Your Responsibility

Insurance

Stephens County Hospital works with many insurance companies as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Prior to a non-emergency visit to the hospital or physician’s office, it is important for you to contact your insurance carrier to be sure that Stephens County Hospital or your physician is a participating “in-network” provider. If your insurance does not list your physician and Stephens County Hospital as an “in-network” provider, your services may be considered “out-of-network” or not be covered and you may be responsible for all or a larger portion of  your bill.  A list of “in-network” providers can be found under the Commercial Insurance Plans section.

What To Bring

Bring your insurance cards and authorization forms to every visit and present them at registration. We will ask you to sign forms, such as a release of information, and possibly additional forms, depending on the nature of your visit. Please inform us of any changes in your insurance coverage. The lack of current information can cause payment delays or denials that may ultimately leave you responsible for payment.

Payment

Most Health plans require authorizations, or prior approval, particularly for elective services, and may require that you notify your primary care physician. If your insurance company decides that your service was not medically necessary, is not a covered service, or is due to a pre-existing condition, they may not cover your care. For all non-emergent services, you are expected to pay your portion of the bill at the time of your visit. If you are unable to do this at time of service, you may speak with a Patient Accounts Representative to schedule a payment plan. Deductibles, co-payments and other balances you may owe for both hospital and physician services are due on the day you receive the services. The amount of money patients can expect to pay at the time of service is based on estimated charges. Stephens County Hospital will send a bill for any balance remaining after insurance payments to the responsible party. We accept cash, check, debit card or credit card (VISA, MasterCard & Discover).

Learn more about bill payment options