PATIENT RESOURCES & DR. CHRISTINA
Financial Policy
Last updated: April 11, 2023
PM Pediatric Care is committed to making payment as convenient as possible for our patients. Our policy is to collect payments via credit card, flexible spending card, cash, or check at the time of service. If you have insurance, our verification system will indicate whether you have an unmet deductible and determine your expected payment.
At the time of your visit, you will be asked to review and sign our Card on File form. Afterwards, we keep your payment method on file with our HIPAA-compliant, secure credit card processor in the event there is additional patient responsibility. For your protection, only a portion of your card will be visible in our computer system.
Once your insurance company has processed your claims, they will send an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to both you and our office, showing your total patient responsibility. Upon receipt of the EOB, our billing department will determine if there is a remaining balance based on your insurance company’s adjustment/payment. If there is an additional balance, you will receive an email with the amount due. We will charge the card on file 5 days after this initial email. If you disagree with the patient amount owed, please contact your insurance carrier immediately.
If you do not pay in full at the time of service and/or provide a payment method to be placed on file, you/your child may not be seen. Please contact our billing department should you have any questions: 516-869-0650 x305 or billing@pmpediatrics.com.
FAQS
Why do I need my card to remain on file?
Our agreement with your insurance carrier allows us to collect patient responsibility at time of service. Your known responsibility will be charged today and the stored card will be utilized for any additional amount indicated by your insurance carrier if your patient responsibility has increased.
How will my personal information be protected? Who has access to it?
Your card information will be kept confidential and electronically secure within our practice’s credit card processor. For your protection, office personnel will not have access to your card and only the last 4 digits of your card will be displayed in our electronic medical record system.
If I am paying my copay today, why am I also leaving my card on file?
Your card will be kept on file for any difference in patient responsibility indicated by your insurance carrier and to be able to be used for other visits.
What is an EOB?
Your EOB or Explanation of Benefits is a statement sent by your insurance carrier that summarizes the cost of healthcare services you have received and what amount is your financial responsibility.
What is the amount you are going to charge my card?
When we receive your EOB, we will send you a statement and email indicating the amount provided by your insurance carrier. You will then have 5 days to contact our billing department if there are any concerns.
When will my card be charged?
When we receive your EOB, we will send you a statement and email indicating the amount provided by your insurance carrier. You will then have 5 days to contact our billing department if there are any concerns.
What will my card be charged for?
Your card will be charged for any patient responsibility that results from patient visits which could include copays, coinsurances, deductibles, and balances from purchased DME.
What if I have already hit my deductible for the year?
We will collect a card on file, and it will not be charged if your insurance carrier says your responsibility is $0 due to a satisfied deductible.
Will my card be used for just today’s visit?
Your card will be used for today’s visit, any previous open balances on the patient’s account, and towards any future visits unless an alternative payment method is provided for future visits.
What if I do not have a credit card?
We accept cash and the patient responsibility can be paid in full at the time of the visit.
