Financial Policy
If you have any questions concerning our policy please
contact: 360-428-2543.
Insurance Cards and Coupons
In order to ensure that charges are properly billed to insurance, patients must present current insurance verification at every appointment. Failure to provide a current insurance card or coupon may result in unnecessary delays, denial of service and/or billing errors. Patients who do not correctly identify their insurance at the time of service and subsequently request that charges be reprocessed will be charged a $15 reprocessing fee to cover additional handling costs.
Collection of Insurance Copayments
Insurance copayments are required at the time of service. Insurance copayments not paid at the time of service will have a $15 surcharge added to the account to cover billing costs, unless the emergency character of the service warrants otherwise. The $15 surcharge will be considered an integral part of the payment due and the entire account will be treated as delinquent if it is not paid.
Failed Appointments and Short-Notice Cancellations
Patients who fail appointments or do not provide adequate notice of cancellation compromise our ability to provide care to all of our patients. Patients who fail appointments or cancel with less than four (4) hours notice will have a $25 charge applied to their account.
New Patients without Insurance
Uninsured patients new to Skagit Valley Medical Center (SVMC) are required to make a $117 down payment prior to receiving services. Additional charges may result depending on the nature and scope of services provided.
Established Patients with Accounts in Good Standing
SVMC extends credit to established patients with accounts in good standing. All charges are due and payable within thirty (30) days of the first statement unless an extended payment plan is arranged with our Financial Services Department promptly upon receipt of the statement.
Established Patients with a History of Credit Problems
Patients with a poor credit history that are either uninsured or are insured by an insurance with which SVMC is not contracted are required to make a down payment of $117 prior to receiving services. Additional charges may result depending on the nature and scope of services provided.
Surgical and Obstetrical Care
Payment of charges for surgical and obstetrical care not covered by insurance is required prior to receiving services. Extended payment arrangements are available under special circumstances. Charges for anesthesia, pathology and hospital services are separate and in addition to SVMC charges.
Cosmetic Procedures and Services
Charges for cosmetic services and procedures are not covered by insurance and payment in full is required prior to receiving
the service.
Financial Assistance
Representatives from our Financial Services Department are available to assist with account and insurance questions. They will also establish extended payment arrangements under qualified circumstances.
Finance Charges
A finance charge of 1% per month or $1.00, whichever is greater, is applied to all balances 85 days from the statement closing date.
Delinquent Accounts
Prompt payment or contacting the Financial Services Department to set up a payment plan is required if a past due notice is received. Missed or insufficient payments must be made up within thirty (30) days in order to continue an extended payment arrangement. Delinquent accounts are turned over to a collection agency following a 90-day final notice and expiration of a 10-day grace period. Failure to maintain financial accounts in good standing may result in termination of medical care. Care will be terminated for all family members on accounts that are sent to collections twice.
Returned Checks
There will be a $25 charge for checks that are returned unpaid due to non-sufficient funds (NSF) or because they were written on a closed account.
Tobacco Free Policy Effective April 1, 2008 Skagit Valley Medical Center became tobacco free on all campuses. As the leading provider of health care services in Skagit and North Snohomish counties, it is important that SVMC provide patients and employees with a healthy environment free from second hand smoke.
Skagit Valley Medical Center’s policy does not allow for the use of tobacco products of any kind on SVMC owned or leased property. This includes outside of buildings and in parking lots.
If you are interested in information about quitting smoking, please contact your physician.
It is our pleasure to serve your healthcare needs. If you feel that you have received poor service or have been denied service inappropriately, you may appeal by contacting your insurance plan or SVMC Administration.
