NMC Health Billing & Collection Policy
Purpose and Scope
To treat all patients equitably, with dignity, respect and compassion.
To apply billing and collection practices uniformly and reasonably.
To serve emergency healthcare needs regardless of ability to pay.
- To assist those who cannot pay by offering financial counseling to understand available payment options
- To identify those who meet the hospital’s eligibility standards for the NMC Health Healthcare Assistance (HCA) Program
- To be aware of the individual needs of those who do not qualify for the NMC Health HCA Program
- To offer payment plan methods for those who are not eligible for the NMC Health HCA Program
- To assist patients who may be eligible for public benefits
Policy
In keeping with our mission statement to excel in providing healthcare by understanding and responding to the individual needs of those we serve, we will balance the needed financial assistance for patients with broader fiscal responsibilities in order to maintain the ability to provide healthcare for all those in the community.
Payment Plans
NMC Health partners with The Midland Group, an accounts management company owned by a charitable trust, to provide affordable payment options for our patients. A Midland payment plan offers reasonable monthly payments to fit your budget, your choice of monthly due date, annual interest rates ranging from 0% through 9%, with a one-time initial activation fee of $15.00. We offer the following payment plan options:
- Payment in full to NMC Health within 120 days, interest free
- 12 months, interest free, with The Midland Group
- Extended payment plans up to seven (7) years with The Midland Group
A patient or guarantor may request a payment plan by contacting The Midland Group at 316.201.9254 or by contacting NMC Health.
Payment plans in default will be referred to a collection agency or an attorney.
Healthcare Assistance Program
The Healthcare Assistance Program policy, application, and Plain Language Summary are widely publicized and can be obtained by mail, at Admissions, at Patient Financial Services, at Health Ministries Clinic, at the Department of Children & Families and at the NMC Health Financial Assistance resources page.
A Plain Language Summary is on the back of the 1st billing statement and the Pre-Bad Debt Letter.
We make reasonable efforts to determine eligibility for the Healthcare Assistance Program by:
- Notifying patients/guarantors about the Healthcare Assistance Program for 120 days from date of 1st billing
- Accepting HCA applications received during a 240 day Application Period that ends on the 240th day after the date of 1st billing
- Providing written notice of the Extraordinary Collection Activity (ECA) that may occur if payment is not made or the HCA application is not completed by the deadline that is no earlier than 30 days from the date of the Pre-Bad Debt letter or the last day of the 240 day Application Period
- Providing written notice describing additional information that is needed for an incomplete HCA application
- Suspend ECA while allowing a reasonable opportunity to complete the HCA application
- Making a documented determination of eligibility, for a completed HCA application received within the 240 day Application Period and provide written notification to the patient or guarantor with the basis for the determination
- Refunding amounts paid by the patient or guarantor that exceeds the amount they are determined to be responsible for, if $4.00 or greater
- Take reasonable measures to reverse any ECA that may have occurred
- The HCA Approval Committee has final authority and responsibility for determining that NMC Health has made reasonable efforts to determine eligibility and may take ECA
Any deductible and coinsurance amount claimed as a Medicare Bad Debt is to be excluded from the reporting of charity care
Scheduled and/or Elective Services
Insured patients are expected to pay their copay, estimated coinsurance or deductible based on their insurance benefits at the time of service or their appointment may be rescheduled.
Insured patients who choose to have services that are not covered by health insurance, or not approved by health insurance, are expected to pay a deposit up to 35% or a predetermined nominal rate of the estimated bill (less discount outlined below) prior to receiving services or their appointment may be rescheduled.
Uninsured Hospital patients who have not qualify for the HCA program are expected to pay a deposit up to 35% or a predetermined nominal rate of the estimated bill (less discount outlined below) prior to receiving services or their appointment may be rescheduled.
Uninsured Clinic patients who do not qualify for the HCA program are expected to pay the Clinic prevailing copay at the time of service or their appointment may be rescheduled.
Existing outstanding balances may be taken under consideration in estimating the amount to be prepaid.
Eligibility for the HCA program may not be approved for elective services.
The following resources may be used to determine if a service is medically necessary or elective:
- The ordering physician or their office nurse
- NMC Case Management Staff
- Milliman Care Guidelines
- Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and other 3rd party criteria for coverage
Discounts & Deposits
Uninsured patients who are not eligible for the Healthcare Assistance Program, patients who participate in a Sharing Plan, or patients who have an insurance with whom Newton Healthcare Corporation does not participate, will be given a 30% discount off Charges as financial assistance.
All patients are eligible to apply for the HCA Program and payment plans with The Midland Group.
Discounts
If you qualify, the 30% discount may be applied to your NMC Health hospital and clinic charges as financial assistance. Services performed by an outside provider at NMC Health don’t qualify for the discount. You will be billed directly by these providers.
Deposits
You must pay up to 35% of your estimated charges, less the 30% discount, at the time of service. See example:
Estimated charges
Qualified 30% discount
Discounted estimate
Deposit due ($140 x .35)
$200
-$60
$140
$ 49
30% discount may be applied to your NMC Health hospital and clinic charges. Services performed by an outside provider at NMC Health don’t qualify for the discount. You will be billed directly by these providers.
Deposits
You must pay up to 35% of your estimated charges, less the 30% discount, at the time of service. See example:
Extraordinary Collection Activity
Extraordinary Collection Activity (ECA) may include the following:
- Reporting adverse information to a consumer credit reporting agency or credit bureau
- Placing a lien on property
- Foreclosure
- Attach or seize a bank account or other personal property
- Commence civil action
- Cause an arrest
- Cause a writ of body attachment
- Garnishment of wages
STAT or Add-On Imaging (ie. CT/MRI/US)
Uninsured patients who are added on to the schedule as STAT high-dollar imaging patients will be requested to make a $150.00 deposit before the image is taken.
