Why can’t you tell me the exact cost of my visit before my appointment?
We are unable to give you an exact cost however we can provide you with an estimate. You may call our Financal Counselors at 425.899.3614 or 425.899.1617.
When will I receive a statement?
Bills for services rendered are sent only after all insurances have been billed.
How do I get an estimate of my charges?
Can you mail me a copy of my itemized bill?
For an estimate of your charges, or to receive an itemized bill, contact Patient Financial Services at 425.899.1600 or by mail to Evergreen Healthcare, Attn: Patient Financial Services MS-55, 12040 NE 128th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034.
Why have I received a statement in the mail?
Evergreen sends a bill to help you know as much as possible about the status of your bill and the status of payments. Please review your statement to ensure that charges submitted to insurance and payments received are accurate. Evergreen will continue to send you a statement until your account balance reaches zero.
What if my account has been referred to a collection agency?
Accounts are referred to collection when the balances due remain unpaid. Evergreen sends billing statements and collection letters for up to 120 days allowing you to either pay the account or establish a payment plan. You will be notified in writing when any account is going to be transferred and you will be allowed sufficient time to take corrective action.
I don't understand my statement. What is all this terminology?
Billing for health care services often includes several different types of clinical and financial terminology. However, we are committed to making our bills as patient-friendly as possible including explanations for our terminology. Also, Patient Financial Services representatives can help you with your questions about services and their charges. They may also reference medical staff for procedure or test explanations. Please contact Patient Financial Services by telephone at 425.899.1600.
Why do I get a separate bill for hospital services?
In order to send a claim to the insurance company, the hospital is required to file a separate claim for each inpatient or outpatient visit. In general outpatient visits on the same day are combined to a single claim. This can only be done if the same physician ordered the services. If your physician’s office is a hospital department the billing of the professional services on the same account are also included. If you were an inpatient you will receive a separate bill for the hospital services and another bill for professional services provided during your hospital stay.
Click here for a more detailed explanation of the billing process.
Does my balance with Evergreen Healthcare’s ‘hospital bill’ include the physician bill?
It does if your physician’s office is a hospital department. If your physician is in private practice, there will be a separate bill for their services.
Who can I contact with questions about my statement?
Patient Financial Services representatives are available to help you by phone at 425.899.1600 with any questions or concerns you may have about your bill.
Will Evergreen Healthcare bill my insurance company for me?
Yes. The primary, and if applicable secondary, insurance coverage you present at the time of registration will be billed.
Will Evergreen Healthcare file my worker’s compensation claims for me?
Yes. Evergreen Healthcare will bill worker's compensation insurance and make all appropriate first report of injury information available to the liability carrier and third party administrators.
There are charges on my bill that I did not have or I dispute. What should I do?
Please contact Patient Financial Services and an inquiry will be sent to the audit team who will review your medical record to ensure the documentation substantiates the charge. If the charge is not supported, it will be credited from the claim and an adjusted claim submitted.
It has been several weeks since my hospital visit, why haven't I received a bill?
If we have a contract with your insurance company, we will bill the medical insurance on file first. Once the insurance has paid their portion, any remaining amount will be billed to you. If your insurance company pays in full you may not even receive a statement and you will only have your explanation of benefits from your insurance carrier to refer to. However, you can request a copy of your itemized bills at any time by contacting Patient Financial Services.
I received a statement, but all it shows are totals. Can I have an itemized bill?
Yes. Itemized bills are available upon request.
How do I know that the amount you are billing me is the correct amount?
Once your insurance carrier pays their portion of the bill, they will send you an explanation of benefits (EOB) to show how the claim was paid. You can compare your EOBs (both professional and technical EOB) to your hospital statement. How the carrier paid the claim is based on its contract with the hospital and its contract with you. If you feel the insurance company should have paid a higher amount, please contact the company directly for resolution.
My Evergreen Healthcare statement had an adjustment amount. What was that for?
Insurance carriers negotiate hospital charge discounts. The amount of the discount is specific to each carrier. When the carrier pays its portion, the contractual allowance is posted to reflect the true amount due from the patient. Contractual adjustment can be either a deduction or addition to the amount of actual charges billed.
My account has been referred to an outside collection agency. Can I view my statement?
If your account has been referred to an outside collection agency, you must contact that agency to see all the activities being credited to your account. Evergreen Healthcare will also keep the details of your bad debt payments but will no longer produce statements on balances due.
What is the difference between an observation and inpatient category on my bill?
Your physician determines whether you will be categorized as observation or inpatient. Insurance plans pay differently for each category. The hospital must abide by the physician order and bill accordingly. Your status can change based on your clinical conditions and results from diagnostic tests (according to the physician’s order) to inpatient usually within 24 hour if an inpatient stay if necessary.