For Patients

FAQs

Q: Who can answer questions about my bill or other areas related to hospital services?
A: For billing questions, please contact Patient Accounts Services at 308-344-8297. 

Q: Why do I need to stop at admissions every time, even if I've been at the hospital recently?
A: There are many forms that require your signature prior to receiving services. In addition, the circumstances associated with your current visit may change the insurance that needs to be filed. For example, suppose you came into the hospital for a laboratory test and, a few days later, you return after being injured on the job. Your work-related injury would likely be covered by your employer's worker's compensation plan, while your lab test may be compensated by your health insurance.

Q: Do I have to pay my bill on the day I receive services?
A: No. However, if you know what your co-pay and deductible are, you should be ready to make that payment.

Q: How long will Community Hospital wait for my insurance to pay?
A: Forty five (45) days from claim submission, we will send a letter notifying you that your insurance has not paid. If you receive a letter, please contact your insurance company. Your assistance in working with your insurance company is sometimes essential to initiate the payment. If your insurance company does not pay, the entire balance will become your responsibility.

Q: Which methods can I use to pay my bill (check, cash, credit card)?
A: Community Hospital accepts payments made by cash, check, money order and credit cards. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. 
Payments may be made:

By Mail-Use the return envelope that came with your billing statement to make a payment by check, money order or credit card. Or mail to:
Community Hospital
Attn: Patient Accounts
PO Box 1328
McCook, NE 69001

In Person-Stop by our Patient Accounts at 711 East 11th St, McCook to make a payment in person. 
By Phone-Credit card or ACH payments can be made by calling a Patient Accounts Representative at (308) 344-8297.
By Website-Payments by check or credit card can be done from home. Pay My BIll

Q: Why have I received more than one bill for the same visit?
A: The statement you will receive from Community Hospital is for your hospital care.  Physicians, excluding the emergency, and CRNA, involved in your care will bill you separately from the hospital. These physicians may include pathologists, surgeons, cardiologists, radiologists and other specialists.  If you have any questions with regard to your bills, please call the number listed on the statement.

Q: Why am I being billed when I have insurance?
A: Many insurance companies have amounts which the patient must pay. These are called deductible, co-pay or co-insurance payments. If your insurance plan requires you to pay a deductible and co-insurance, the balance will be billed to you.  You will also be billed for any other amounts not covered by your insurance.  If you have a question about why your insurance company did not pay part of a claim, you should call your health insurance company directly.

Q: When is payment of my bill expected?
A: Community Hospital would appreciate full payment at the time of discharge or when services are provided.  There are payment options available if you are unable to pay in full. 

Q: What if I cannot pay my bill in full within 30 days?
A: You should contact Patient Accounts by phone at (308) 344-8297 to talk about a payment options.
 
Q: If I can't afford to pay the bill I receive, are there any options?
A: Community Hospital has a Patient Financial Assistance Program. Your inability to pay for care should not prevent you from receiving medically necessary services. To learn more about our Payment options you can call our Patient Accounts at (308) 344-8297.

Q: If my insurance company has pre-certification, prior approval or notification requirements for specific services, am I responsible for completing this task?
A: The specific requirements and responsibility for completing pre-certification or notification depend on several things: 
Contract agreements between Community Hospital and your insurance company, or
The requirements as defined by your insurance or employer group plan. 
If you have questions about your responsibility for completing these requirements, you should contact your Insurance Company directly. You may have to pay a higher deductible or coinsurance amount if these steps are not completed.

Q: How is a charge set for my services?
A: In setting service charges, Community Hospital considers the following:
Information provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), survey of like size facilities in our region, and the cost of providing the service.
Charges are usually revised on an annual basis. These changes are made at the beginning of our fiscal year which is July 1st.  However, as technology and resource needs change, we may have to update our charges at other times during the fiscal year.

Q: What is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or Explanation of Payment (EOP)?
A: These are documents showing a detailed listing of how your insurance company processed your claim or bill. An EOB or EOP is mailed by your insurance company directly to you and Community Hospital.

Q: If I have additional questions regarding my bill, who can I call or email?
A:Contact Patient Accounts (308) 344-8297.

It is our hope that this information will help answer many of your financial questions or help direct you to the right resource.  Should you have additional questions please call Patient Accounts at (308) 344-8297