Thank you for choosing Mission Hospital for your health care needs. We strive to provide quality health care services in a manner that represents value to those we serve. We understand your concerns about the costs of your healthcare. Insurance claims, along with doctor and hospital bills confuse many people.
This section provides information to help you understand:
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how we process your bill(s),
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what you can do to assist us with getting your insurance to pay your bill, and
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how we can help you if you have difficulty paying for your healthcare services.
When receiving care at Mission Hospital on either an inpatient or outpatient basis, you will most likely receive more than one bill for your visit:
Your Hospital Bill
Your hospital bill includes, but is not limited to, radiology, laboratory, and other testing services, operating room services, inpatient room and board charges, emergency services, pharmacy, medical supplies and other services provided by the hospital.
You will receive a separate bill for hospital visit. You may receive services at one of our two main campuses (Memorial and St. Joseph), the Asheville Surgery Center, the Asheville Imaging Center, 445 Biltmore Center, Asheville Cardiology, Advanced Home Care and 495 Biltmore Avenue. You may also receive lab work at your physician's office that may be sent to our lab for processing. Ambulance services are not part of your hospital or physician's bill.
Your Doctor's Bill
Bills for physician's services will include office visits, examinations, interpretation of tests, surgical procedures and consultations performed by physicians and in some instances physician assistants. Physician services also include, but are not limited to, the services of anesthesiologists, radiologists (x-rays), and pathologists (labs). These services may be performed in a physician's office, on the hospital campus or in a hospital clinic.
When treated at one of Mission Hospital emergency departments you will receive a separate bill from the physician who treated you.
Your Responsibility
Mission Hospital participates with many insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid. Prior to a non-emergency visit to the hospital or physician's office, contact your insurance carrier to be sure that Mission Hospital or your physician is a participating in-network provider. If your insurance does not list your physician and Mission Hospital as an in-network provider, your services may be considered "out-of-network" or non-covered and you may be responsible for all or a larger portion of your bill.
Most health plans require authorizations, or prior approval, particularly for elective services, and may require that you notify your primary care physician. If your insurance company decides your service was not medically necessary, is not a covered service, or is due to a pre-existing condition, they may not cover your care. You are expected to pay the entire bill at the time of your visit. Deductibles, co-payments and any money due for your service will be requested either during your pre-registration process or at your initial registration.
Bring your insurance cards and authorization forms to every visit and present them at registration. We will ask you to sign forms, such as a release of information, and possibly additional forms depending on your visit. Please inform us of any changes in your insurance coverage. The lack of current information can cause payment delays or denials that may ultimately leave you responsible for payment.
Co-payments, deductibles, co-insurances and other balances you may owe for both the hospital and physician are due on the day you receive the services. The amount of money patients can expect to pay at the time of service is based on estimated charges. Mission Hospital will send a bill for any balance remaining after insurance payments to the responsible party. If you have questions regarding your deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance payments, please call your insurance company.
