Patient Financial Responsibility - SouthStar

Medical Bills can be confusing when it comes to the amount a patient will need to pay out of pocket. The healthcare industry calls this amount, Patient Financial Responsibility. Patient Financial Responsibility charges include co-pays and any charges that are not covered by insurance.

Credit Card On File

At time of service, we ask patients with insurance to pay their co-pay as well as provide a credit card on file. This card will only be used if there is additional payment owed after we have billed your insurance. The credit card information is stored securely, and patients will receive advance notification via email if and when the card will be charged. The card on file will only be charged up to $150. If a patient responsibility exceeds the $150, other arrangements can be made for the remaining balance.

Example 1: Co-pay & No additional Patient Responsibility

Co-pay: (at time of service) $50

Charges: $175

Insurance Payment: $175

Additional Patient Responsibility: $0

To be charged to card on file: $0

Example 2: Co-pay & additional Patient Responsibility <$150

Co-pay: (at time of service) $50

Charges: $175

Insurance Payment: $150

Additional Patient Responsibility: $25

To be charged to card on file: $25

Example 3: Co-pay & additional Patient Responsibility >$150

Co-pay: (at time of service) $50

Charges: $350

Insurance Payment: $150

Patient Responsibility: $200

To be charged to card on file: $150

Balance to be billed: $50

Cash Deposit

If a patient does not have a credit card, SouthStar accepts a $150 cash deposit in lieu of a credit card on file. After charges are processed, any remaining credit balance will be refunded to the patient. In the event there are charges not covered by their insurance or $150 deposit, the patient will be billed for the outstanding charges.

Example 1: Co-pay & No additional Patient Responsibility

Co-pay: (at time of service) $50

Cash deposit: (at time of service) $150

Charges: $175

Insurance Payment: $175

Additional Patient Responsibility: $0

Amount to be refunded: $150

Example 2: Co-pay & additional Patient Responsibility <$150

Co-pay: (at time of service) $50

Cash deposit: (at time of service) $150

Charges: $175

Insurance Payment: $150

Additional Patient Responsibility: $25

Amount to be refunded: $125

Example 3: Co-pay & additional Patient Responsibility >$150

Co-pay: (at time of service) $50

Cash deposit: (at time of service) $150

Charges: $350

Insurance Payment: $150

Additional Patient Responsibility: $200

Deposit applied: $150

Balance to be billed: $50

FAQs

Convenience. We know our patients appreciate the convenience of paying with Credit, Debit, Flexible Savings Accounts and Health Care Savings Accounts. Also, having a card of file simplifies the collection process on our team and our patients. We will take your card at the time of your visit and notify you about charge due after insurance payments are applied.

We will automatically submit your medical claim to your health insurance company. Based on your plan and the insurance payments, any Patient Financial Responsibility will be determined. If there is any Patient Financial Responsibility, we will send you an email 10 days prior to charging your credit card on file up to $150. Any Patient Financial Responsibility above $150 will be billed.

If you owe any balance after your insurance pays, we will send you an email notification 10 days before your card is charged. The timing of this communication depends on how fast we hear back from your insurance company. It usually happens within 30 days of your visit, but it could take up to 90 days.

Yes. Your card number is stored securely by First Data, the largest credit card processing company in America.