The following is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs). To read the answer to each question, please click on the question.
Did you bill my insurance company?
To verify this you must contact PFS. If you have multiple insurances it is a good practice to verify with the billing office that we are billing in the correct order.
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What is Coordination of Benefits?
Coordination of Benefits is a process through which you, the patient, inform your insurance plans that you have multiple insurance. This is very simple albeit important process to ensure the timely and accurate processing of your medical claim. Unfortunately, because of plan restrictions by your insurance plan (including Medicare) we are not permitted to complete the coordination of benefits for you. We will however contact you when problems occur.
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Why do I owe a co-pay and/or deductible?
The terms of your contract with your health insurer determine what types of service require copayments and when your deductible applies. We act on the information provided to us by your insurance.
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Did you bill me incorrectly for my patient responsibility?
You should compare your health plan explanation of benefits (EOB) with the final bill you receive from us. If you believe a mistake was made, please contact us quickly so that we may resolve the issue. Often time a health plans will not process a claim as you might expect. This situation will require you to contact your insurance directly.
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How many statements or how much time do I get until my bill goes to collections?
To avoid hassles it is best to pay your anticipated out of pocket on or before your date of service. Patient will be sent no fewer than three statements prior to being turned over to an outside collection agency. Following an insurance payment the first statement will mailed to you within 7 days. Payment is due upon receipt. A second statement will generate approximately 21 days after the first. The last statement will be sent 14 days after. After receipt of the “final notice (printed in red) you have 14 days to pay the bill or enter into a payment arrangement.
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Why was my bill sent to collections?
Most bills are sent to collections after all efforts to resolve the account have been exhausted. This can be precipitated by several factors: non-payment of claim by a health insurer, non-payment of any patient liability following insurance payment receipt, or inability for us to locate a patient due to incorrect address or disconnected phone numbers.
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I have been making payments so why am I in collections?
We make every effort to lock our patients into an acceptable payment plan. However, it is required that the patient talks with us and possibly completes additional paperwork given the terms of the payment plan. If this is not done the account will be released to an outside agency for additional collection efforts. Please reference the Payment Arrangements section of site for additional information.
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Why can't you discuss my spouse's account with me?
There are federal statutes that prohibit us from discussing or dispersing any personal health information (PHI) with anyone not expressly referenced by the patient to have access to this information. Typically, a spouse must be referenced as an additional guarantor on the account at the time of service.
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How do I get an itemized bill?
We will provide a free itemized statement of all the service charges on your account. To obtain this information it is required that you visit PFS in person and present proper identification so we can ensure the privacy of your information.
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I do not understand my itemized bill. Where can I get my itemized bill explained?
Often time itemized bills are large and confusing. Please make an appointment with PFS to get a stronger explanation of the charges and what they mean to you.
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How do you make sure my charges are correct?
We make every effort to identify and correct and potential charge errors before we bill a claim. Charges are audited routinely to ensure they are consistent and correct. We will re-audit a chart as the need presents itself.
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I was treated in the ED. Why is the bill so large?
Emergency Department care is very expensive. The nature of this department is to do everything necessary to quickly diagnose and treat your ailment. This sometimes involves a large number of tests.
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I was never even treated in the ED. Why was I charged a triage fee?
A triage fee is assessed for every patient presenting to the ED to help cover the cost of providing around the clock services. This fee in particular covers the time and skilled labor of the nurse evaluating your emergent need.
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Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes. Our financial assistance comes in the form of a discount off the total charges of the account. Since we already provide a contractual discount to our insured patients, this discount financial assistance discount only applies to patients presenting with no insurance (i.e. private or self pay)
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Do you bill for any physician offices?
No. We do not bill for any physician services. Please reference the “Physician Billing” link on this site for additional information.
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