Payment Information

Doctors Visits:

Payments for physician charges are to made with the physician's private office and through their individual billing companies. The Spine Center staff will not collect co-payments nor ask for payment at the time of the visit. The insurance information you provide to the hospital will be forwarded to the physician's billing service following your visit and your insurance will be billed for services rendered at The Spine Center.

It is important to note that patients in The Spine Center will receive two separate charges, one from the physician and another from Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Physician fees are billed at a lower rate when seen at The Spine Center to compensate for the Facility Fee. The hospital will bill your insurance company directly for the facility fee as will your physician's private office for services performed by the physician.

Surgery:

Patients admitted to Saint Francis Memorial Hospital for surgery may also pay any required pre-admission deposits during their preoperative appointment if necessary. This is usually done the week prior to surgery. Cash, personal checks, traveler's checks, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club and Visa are accepted.

Surgery patients will also receive bills for services from other physicians or practitioners involved in your care. These practitioners may include the physician performing the history and physical, the anesthesiologist that puts you to sleep or gives the spinal anesthetic, the radiologist who reads your radiographic studies, the cardiologist who interprets the EKG, the pathologist who reviews the removed material and an assistant surgeon for the operation. The practitioners involved in your care will usually bill your insurance company directly.

Uninsured and Self-Pay Patients:

If you are uninsured or a self-pay patient, please contact The Spine Center prior to your visit for an estimate of your charges. Financial arrangements for physician services can be made through the physician's private office. Contact the The Spine Center at 415-353-6464 for further information if you are uninsured or wish to self-pay.

Medicare Patients:

Patients who have assigned their Medicare benefits to an HMO are not eligible for an appointment unless the physician is a member of the HMO. Medicare patients do have the option to "opt-out" of the HMO for a period of time to have treatment at The Spine Center and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Patients can drop the HMO plan by contacting Social Security and the HMO and return to the standard Social Security benefit plan. After a period of time you can return to the HMO. The change of benefit options are for patients who are unable to have surgery in a timely manner through the HMO, are unhappy with the available choice of physicians, or are unsatisfied with the implants available for their surgery. Be certain to review all the options and understand how the coverage will work prior to making any changes in your plan. Our Financial Advisors can offer information to assist you, but the final decision rests with you, the patient.

Patients or their guarantors are responsible for payment of all charges for services rendered, regardless of the amount covered by insurance companies. Medicare, without a supplemental insurance, usually covers 80% of reasonable and customary charges. While the Financial Advisors will not be able to give you an exact amount of your costs, they will be able to provide a good estimate.