Hospital bills can be confusing. There are three different types of hospital bills that you might receive: a summary bill, an itemized bill and a billing statement.
It is important to remember that in addition to your hospital bill, you may receive separate bills from your physician(s): Emergency Physicians (care provided in an emergency room), Radiologists (imaging services), Consulting Physicians (other physicians brought in by your physician), Pathologists (laboratory and pathology test(s)), Anesthesiologists (surgical procedures) and Surgeons. And, if you are scheduling a hospital visit, be sure to contact your health plan or hospital ahead of time to ensure your chosen hospital, physician(s) and care teams are in your network of covered providers.
If you have health insurance and you visit a hospital emergency department that is not in your plan’s network, you are not required to pay higher copayments or coinsurance. Ask your health plan about your coverage for out-of-network emergency care before you need it, so you’ll be prepared if an emergency arises.
If you have any questions about your hospital bill, contact your hospital’s business office.