Helpful Tips

Please take time to understand your health insurance coverage.

Taking time to understand your health insurance plan and knowing what your health insurance policy does and does not cover can improve the care you receive and reduce your costs. To get the best care, read your health insurance policy and member handbook, making sure you understand the information on benefits, coverage and limits.

Your health insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. The insurance policy should list what tests, drugs, and treatments are "covered" —those the insurance company will pay for. It should also list which services aren't covered. Common exclusions include, preexisting conditions (conditions that occurred before you were covered) and coordination of benefits (rules that dictate what your plan will cover if you’re also covered by another plan). If you choose to have “non-covered” services anyway—or if your doctor thinks you need them—you will have to pay for them.

Be sure to understand how to obtain proper authorizations for services, submit referral or claims forms or complete a coordination of benefits form as your health plan may require.

Please respond promptly to requests you receive from your health plan.

We will attempt to provide all the information and paperwork that your health plan requires. However, sometimes they require a response from you to resolve issues related to your account or insurance coverage. If your health plan has not made payment within a reasonable period of time (usually 45 days after billing) and has not responded to our attempts to resolve payment matters on your behalf, the balance owed may become your responsibility.

Please provide complete and accurate information at the time of registration.

MDH requests that you provide us with complete health insurance information upon registration. This includes presenting a driver’s license or ID, all insurance cards and authorization forms. If you have been a patient here before, please inform us if your personal information or insurance has changed since your last visit. If you are scheduled for outpatient services, please bring your physician’s order and diagnosis with you or be sure your physician has faxed it to the hospital prior to your arrival.

Please make timely payments on your portion of the bill.

Payment for your hospital bill is ultimately your responsibility. You may be asked to pay at the time of service or prior to discharge if you have a deductible, co-payment, or other self pay amount due, or do not have insurance coverage for your hospital services. For your convenience, MDH accepts cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. Other payment options are available.

Please contact us if you plan to be away from your home for an extended period.

If you know you are going to be away from your home for an extended period of time or will be relocating and may not be receiving your mail, please check with MDH to inquire about the status of any outstanding claims.

Please let us know if you anticipate problems paying your portion of the bill.

If you are having financial difficulties, please let us know. A Financial Counselor can discuss payment alternatives that may be available to you, including extended payments, government programs, or financial assistance. To apply for government programs, or the hospital financial assistance program, certain personal and financial information is required. Contact us to reach a Financial Counselor and learn more.