Patient Service Call Center
Common Billing Terminology

Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN)
An Advanced Beneficiary Notice is a form advising you that tests performed by your doctor may not be covered by Medicare.  The purpose of the ABN is to let you know in advance that these services may not be covered and to advise you that you will be responsible for payment of these charges.

Ambulatory Care Charge
The Ambulatory Care Charge assists us in defraying the cost of supporting the physician’s outpatient hospital practice and will be in addition to the physician’s charge. These expenses include, but are not limited to, outpatient nursing care, appointments, receptionists, medical records, housekeeping and facilities operations.

Insurance Deductible
An insurance deductible is a minimum amount the patient must pay before the insurance company will pay anything toward charges. Usually the deductible needs to be met and paid by the patient each year.

Insurance Co-Pay
An insurance co-pay is the amount of money or percent of charges for Basic or Supplemental Health Services which a member is required to pay, as set forth by their health plan. This is often associated with an office visit or emergency room visit. For example $5, $10, or $25.

Co-Insurance
Co-insurance is an arrangement by which the patient and the insurance company share in the payment of a service. Co-insurance takes effect after the approved deductible amount has been met.
For example, assigned Medicare benefits have a 20% co-insurance. This means that after the approved deductible amount has been met, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount and the patient, or the patient’s supplemental insurance pays the remaining 20%. The deductible in most cases becomes the responsibility of the patient.

Physician Participation
Physician participation is a method by which a physician agrees to accept an insurance company’s payment level as payment in full. The bill is sent directly to the insurance company with payment made directly to the physician. This excludes amounts considered patient obligation under the patient’s coverage plan. For example, co-insurance, deductibles, and non-covered services would still have to be paid by the patient.

Non-Participation
Non-participation means the physician does not participate in the patient’s health plan; therefore, the patient is billed directly for services and is responsible for payment in full.

Assignment of Benefits
Assignment of Benefits means the physician agrees to accept payment from an insurance company first and then bill the patient for any after-insurance balances. In this arrangement the patient has assigned rights for payment, via signature, to the physician for services rendered.

Coordination of Benefits
Coordination of Benefits is the determination of benefits payable under more than one group health insurance so the insured's total benefits do not exceed 100% of the medical expenses.

Birthday Rule
The Birthday Rule is endorsed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  The Birthday Rule states that the plan of the parent whose date of birth (month and day) falls earlier in the calendar year is the primary plan for dependent children.  For example, if the father's birth date is March 4 and the mother's birth date is January 22, the mother's plan would be primary. If both parents have the same birth date, the health plan in effect for the longer period of time will be primary.

Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR)
When reviewing our charges for reasonable and customary, it is important to consider that we should not be lumped into the geographical area.  Geisinger Health System in Danville is recognized as an "Area 2" rate, which is a higher placement in recognition of our regional tertiary setting.

The hospital is accredited as a "Level 1" regional resource trauma center and operates the LifeFlight Rapid Response retrieval program utilizing two helicopters, in addition to many other specialized services.  When compared to the size and scope of services rendered by the hospitals in this geographic region, Geisinger Health System is truly unique.

We do expect payment in full and we do balance bill the patient for any balances remaining after insurance has paid.

If we can be of any further assistance with the professional charge generated by the physician in this tertiary setting, please do not hesitate to contact us.