Salem Hospital: Charity Care & Financial Policy: Patient billing

Services

Health Source

Support Services

Patient billing

Patient balances are managed through a third party on behalf of Salem Hospital for a period of up to six months. Should a patient require longer then 6 months to pay the balance due, long term payment options are available which typically include interest on the balance owed.

Patient balances are billed and collected as outlined below:

Uninsured patients will receive statements:	6 days after discharge* and every 40 days thereafter until the account is resolved
Insured patients will receive:	The day after the business office submits a claim to the insurance, a statement indicating that insurance has been billed will be sent to the patient. The day after insurance payment or denial is posted, a statement will be sent with balance due. Statements will be sent every 40 days thereafter.
All patients with a balance due receive first follow-up telephone call:	1-5 days after the balance becomes their responsibility & every 7 days thereafter until we are able to make personal contact with the patient or guarantor

	General information
	Patient screening for Medicaid eligibility
	Communications to the public
	Eligibility criteria
	Criteria considered in determining eligibility
	Catastrophic medical bills
	Application process and eligibility determination
	Supporting documentation
	Patient billing
	Payment options
	Collection agency assignment
	Appeal process and timeframes
	Record keeping and special accounting for charity care