Northwest Health requires four-day advance scheduling for elective surgery and other procedures. This allows us time to contact you to verify your information, insurance coverage, financial responsibility, benefits, and obtain pre-certification if required by your insurance company. It also gives us time to calculate your estimated out-of-pocket expenses and make you aware of your payment options since some or all of your fees will be payable on the day of service. It is a good idea to review your insurance requirements ahead of time; many insurers impose financial penalties if not contacted beforehand. Please be aware that you will be responsible for any charges your insurance company denies.

Pre-Admission Procedures
Northwest Health requires pre-registration for all patient visits, even if you have been admitted before. The registration staff will contact you by phone within one to two days to pre-register.

At Admissions you will need to have a photo identification and your insurance cards which will be photocopied for your file.

Financial Arrangements
Northwest Health provides emergency medical services to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, as required by Federal regulations. For all non-emergency medical services Northwest Health will notify you of your estimated out-of-pocket responsibility prior to the date of your scheduled procedure. You are required to pay on the day of service or arrange payment terms in advance for all procedures. Otherwise your procedure may be cancelled.

Several options are available to assist you in covering the out-of-pocket expenses.

Northwest Health accepts the following methods of payment:

• Cash
• Check
• All major credit cards
• Hospital Expense Loan Program (H.E.L.P.)

Our financial counselors have expertise regarding the most complicated insurance issues and are on site to help guide you through your medical billing. Low-interest loans are available through H.E.L.P., an independent organization.

Financial counselors and Medical Advocacy Services for HealthCare (M.A.S.H.) Patient Advocates are qualified to pre-screen and assist you in applying for assistance through government programs for which you may qualify.

Professional fees charged by your physician and other specialists (including pediatricians, radiologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists and physician consultants) are not included in your hospital bill. You will be billed directly by these physicians for their services. Office locations and phone numbers are available from the Registration staff.

Please contact the individual physician’s billing office for information regarding your financial arrangements with them.