Our Financial Policies
At Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland, our goal is to provide you with the best medical care at the most cost-effective prices. Our costs are lower than those of larger, less personal facilities, so we are pleased to be able to pass those savings on to you.
Just like you, we must be able to meet our financial commitments each month. So we look to you for timely payments to help support our mission of providing the highest quality health care to our patients
When is payment due?
Payment is always due at the time of service unless arrangements have been made in advance by a written agreement.
Do you take credit cards?
We gladly accept cash, checks, debit cards, American Express, Discover Card, Visa and MasterCard. Co-payments and any prior balances are also due at the time of your visit.
Will my insurance company cover my visit?
As a courtesy, we will file a claim with your insurance company. We have contracts with most insurance companies in Ohio. To find out whether we have a relationship with your insurance company, please ask any of our financial consultants.
Once your insurance company has paid us and we invoice you for your portion of the bill (called the “patient balance”), the amount owed must be paid in full within 30 days. If the balance is not paid within 30 days of the statement date or you have not called to make payment arrangements, your account will be sent to an outside agency for collection. Once that has occurred, you will not be able to make a routine appointment with your doctor.
If you have any questions whether certain services will be covered, please call your insurance company directly.
What if my insurance company doesn’t pay?
After we file a claim, if your insurance company does not pay within a reasonable period of time (45 days), we need to look to you for payment. If we later receive a check from your insurer, we will immediately send you any refund due.
Please keep in mind that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, not Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland or your doctor, so you are responsible for knowing and understanding any restrictions of your policy.
Some of these may include, but are not limited to, obtaining referrals, co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance, non-covered benefits and locations where you may or may not receive care. We recommend that you read your benefits book carefully and become familiar with your plan.
If your insurance plan determines a service to be a “non-covered benefit”, you will be responsible for the complete charge.
I do not have health insurance, what do I do?
Do you make payment plans?
We know that medical bills can be expensive. We are willing to work with you and arrange a monthly payment plan if you find you cannot pay your bill in its entirety in a single payment.
We determine monthly payments based on the amount owed and other preset financial parameters. We do not charge you monthly interest to carry an outstanding balance. We trust that you will honor your payment agreement and pay us on time every month.
We do not accept monthly payments or a minimum payment unless a prior written payment agreement is on file in our Patient Financial Services office. All written agreements conform to the Federal Truth in Lending Law.
To set up a written agreement for a payment plan, please contact one of our trained Financial Services Consultants.
What if I am hospitalized?
We will bill your insurance company for our services while you are in the hospital. (This will be separate from other bills the hospital and other physicians may charge during your hospitalization.)
You are responsible for any balance due after your insurance has made payment. All accounts must be settled within 30 days of receipt of a patient bill. Payment plans are available by written agreement.
Endoscopic Procedures in the Cleveland Center for Digestive Health and Endoscopy
If you have a colonoscopy or gastroscopy you can expect to receive the following bills:
- Physician Fee: This is the fee paid to your doctor for performing the procedure. This bill will come from Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland, Incorporated.
- Facility Fee: This is for the use of the facility during your endoscopic procedure. This fee included our overhead which includes the highly trained nursing staff, equipment and medication used to care for you. This bill will come from the Cleveland Center for Digestive Health & Endoscopy, LLC.
- Pathology Fee: If tissue biopsies are required, you will receive a bill from Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland, Incorporated for each biopsy taken. Some specimens may be sent to an outside pathology lab for special stains or second opinions in select cases. If that should occur, you will receive a statement from that facility.
Please note:
If you need a procedure in the Cleveland Center for Digestive Health & Endoscopy and you do not have health insurance, you will be required to make a down payment for that service. The remaining balance can then be set up on a monthly payment plan.
Disability Forms
There is a fee for completion of each disability form. If you submit a form, it must be accompanied by a stamped envelope that is addressed to your insurance company or employer. The fee for completion of these forms must be paid in advance. The fee is determined by the complexity of the form being completed and must be paid in advance of having the form completed by your physician.
Returned Checks
Who should I ask if I have questions?
Please feel free to ask us any questions related to payment at any time. You may contact us by phone, fax or e-mail.
Gastroenterology Associates of Cleveland, Incorporated
Patient Financial Services
3700 Park East Dr., Suite 100
Beachwood, OH 44122-4339
Phone: 216-593-7502
Fax: 216-593-7503
E-mail: billing@gastro-associates.com