Urgent care clinics are very convenient since patients don’t need to go to the hospitals to get treatments. The healthcare system benefits from the clinics because they help lessen the number of people in the emergency rooms, which is a need, especially in pandemic times.
However, it’s essential to know the payment methods available out there and if there’s insurance applicable for a specific treatment. Newer methods are getting introduced, and you can learn more about urgent care payment options in the link provided. Many clinics are now aiming to give their patients an excellent experience by making everything more manageable.
About the Billing Process
The number of people going to the emergency rooms in hospitals has significantly decreased, and the urgent care clinics are one reason this happens. This is often appreciated by hospitals with full hospital beds and patients who don’t want to contract diseases while inside a medical facility. When it comes to billing, the patients should be able to pay in a hassle-free manner, and they should have plenty of options to choose from.
Front Desks Handles the Queries
The cycle of billing begins when a patient walks in from the entrance. In many clinics, they have specific policies that must be met before they admit patients, and this is discussed upon check-in. This way, the collection process will be more straightforward, and there will be lesser expenses afterwards.
The clinics require a pre-registration process in the case of walk-ins. Read more about patient policies for walk-ins on this page here. Other patients who booked online may have their details taken on the phone for a more seamless service. Most of the essential information that the receptionist takes during an appointment may include the following:
- Basic information like date of birth, name, address, and the nature of the visit
- Primary care provider, insurance companies, and policy numbers
Afterwards, an electronic health record will be created, which makes the staff collaborate on the tests and procedures done on the patients. The information can include medical history, patient notes, laboratory tests, medications, prescriptions, and treatments. Patient records with thorough notes about the procedures will be streamlined, which will help the patient who’s a regular visitor in the clinic.
About the Confirmation of Financial Responsibilities
Many clinics may not often call the insurance company after the treatment because they have many patients to attend to. The pre-authorization services need to be confirmed so the patients should know about their policies and plan information. (umm.net)
It should be made clear to the patient about the costs that he may incur upon walking in to avoid billing issues. There may be a need to sign for financial responsibility or affidavit before receiving a medical service.
What Happens After the Visit
After receiving surgery from the physician or getting specific treatment, all procedures should be recorded into the electronic health record. This helps with accurate information about the bill and claim creation. The collection process is then started.
Clinics that Accept Insurance Plans and Online Payments
Everyone deserves to receive high-quality, affordable Individual health insurance. This is why patients can choose to get into clinics that accept various insurance providers, including Medicaid and Medicare. There are also discounted rates for those who want to pay the full amount from their own pockets. The good news for some is that they can now settle their remaining bill through online payment channels.
You may want to get in touch with clinics that accept Amex, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa to process your bill. Get a printed invoice afterwards for reference. For the process to start, some of the platforms will require you to enter your account number and invoice found on your bill. It’s best if you can call in advance to know the full amount of payment and ask whether some of it is covered by insurance. Know more about the process of paying medical bills here: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/pay-medical-debt.
The costs will vary, but the visits may cost as little as the copay you’re required to pay for many insurance companies. The discounts can be increased if you have deductibles, co-insurance, or health savings account to cover some of the costs. The point of this is to enable you to get the treatments that you need that could be life-saving and settle the payments quickly and in a stress-free manner.
