RxNurseNetwork

Generally 5 days after a patient is discharged, the department responsible for patient financial services edits accuracy information (names, insurance, charge etc.) and if the patient is covered by insurance it sends the claim to the insurance company for payment. If there is not insurance coverage, it goes directly to the patient for payment. Once the insurance returns the payment, it is balanced for co-payment and the patient is contacted.

There are some benefit organizations which fund patient care. If a patient is not covered by insurance he or she is checked with benefit organization election. These organizations however, may or may not bill patient care or admission to the hospital depending on their policies. Hospitals have to bill any third party involved in hospitalization of a patient. Other than this, the financial services department continues communication with the patient until all bills have been paid. They also help the patient to apply for additional financial aid they might qualify for, depending on the type and seriousness of their illness.