Q: What are my payment options?
A: You may pay by phone with a credit card or pay online. Call 972-564-0044 to pay by phone.
Q: What health plans are honored at Care United Medical Center?
A: The information on our Insurance page is subject to change at any time and without notice. Please contact your health plan to confirm a facility’s continued participation in your particular network. When you make network and physician choices, we hope you will remember the high patient satisfaction ratings and perceptions of quality care at Care United.
Q: What if there is an error on my bill?
A: If you have questions about your bill, or believe that it is incorrect, call the business office at 972-564-0044.
Q: What is a co-payment?
A: Co-payment is a set fee the member pays to providers at the time services are provided. Co-pays are applied to emergency room visits, hospital admissions, office visits, etc. The cost is usually minimal. The patient should be aware of the co-payment amounts prior to services being rendered.
Q: What is a deductible?
A: Deductibles are provisions that require the member to accumulate a specific amount of medical bills before benefits are provided. For example, if a member’s policy contains a $500 deductible, the member must accumulate and pay $500 out of pocket before the insurance carrier will pay benefits. Once the patient has met their deductible, the carrier usually pays a percentage of the bill. The patient is liable for the unpaid percentage. Deductibles are yearly, usually starting in January.
Q: What is co-insurance?
A: Co-insurance is a form of cost sharing. After your deductible has been met, the plan will begin paying a percentage of your bills. The remaining amount, known as co-insurance, is the portion due by the patient.
Q: What is the difference between an HMO and PPO?
A: HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. An HMO is a group that contracts with medical facilities, physicians, employers and occasionally individual patients to provide medical care to a group of individuals. If you have an HMO policy you are limited to services provided by only those providers and facilities within that HMO network. You are usually required to select a Primary Care Provider (PCP) and will need referrals when seeing a specialist. PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization and also gives discounted rates when choosing providers within the network. A PPO plan gives you more freedom in selecting providers, hospitals and other facilities for your healthcare needs. Unlike an HMO, if you choose to see a doctor who is not within the PPO network, the plan may pay a percentage of the medical bills known as out-of-network benefits (please check your plan benefit for details). However, your cost will probably be higher than if you choose a caregiver that is in the plan’s network.
Q: Why did my insurance only pay part of my bill?
A: Most insurance plans require you to pay a deductible and/or co-insurance. In addition, you could be responsible for non-covered services. Please contact your insurance company for specific answers to your questions. You may have out-of-pocket expenses.
Q: Why do I need to call the insurance company if they do not pay the bill?
A: If you have a PPO policy, you are ultimately responsible for the total bill or any portion of the bill your insurance carrier does not pay. The Central Billing Office will make every effort to resolve the account balance with your insurance carrier. Occasionally, we will be unable to resolve the issue with your carrier and will need your assistance.
Q: Will my insurance plan pay for my treatment?
A: You need to begin by verifying that your insurance plan is honored at the facility where you are being treated. Each insurance plan is different, and even within the same company one plan may cover a certain treatment while another does not. Furthermore, participation in a plan by a Care United Medical Center does not guarantee that it is approved for all services. Contact your specific insurance plan to verify whether your treatment will be covered.
Q: I could not find my question on this list. How do I get answers?
A: To speak to a business office representative, call 972-564-0044.