Getting Your Claims Paid

If you have insurance, the hospital and/or physician likely will file a claim with your insurer. You will be billed for your deductible and copayment amount. Your health plan will send you an Explanation of Benefits that shows the amount billed, the amount paid by the health plan and the patient’s responsibility. The following resources may assist you in understanding how claims are filed and paid

Interpreting Your Explanation of Benefits
Helps you understand the explanation of benefits you receive from your insurance administrator. (Patient Advocate Foundation)

Patient Glossary of Billing Terms
Guide to commonly used financial terms in the health care field. (Healthcare Financial Management Association/Patient Friendly Billing Project)

! NOTE: In addition to your hospital bill, you may receive separate bills from your physician(s): emergency physicians (who provide care in the Emergency Department), radiologists (physicians who interpret X-rays and other imaging studies), consulting physicians (who are brought in to assist with your care by your doctor), pathologists (physicians who interpret laboratory and microscopic examination test(s)), anesthesiologists (physicians who sedate you for surgical procedures) and surgeons (physicians who perform the operation or invasive procedure).

The Hospitals section has more information to help you understand your bill.