Patient Price Transparency
Bates County Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing patients with an accurate pricing estimate for our services, including both Hospital and BCMH Providers. Our billing representatives are here to help you. When applicable, your estimated insurance allowed amount and out of pocket expenses will also be provided. To request a price estimate, please contact our Patient Benefit Advisors at 660-200-2370.
Current Standard Charges
As of January 1, 2019, the US Department of Health & Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services require hospitals and health systems to post their “current standard charges”.
Learn more: Click Here for Current Standard Charges for BCMH
Hospital charges represent the cost of operating a facility with highly trained staff who provide around-the-clock services with state-of-the-art equipment.
For most patients, these listed “charges” do not represent what a hospital is paid and what will be due from a patient. The actual cost to the patient may be greatly reduced, depending on the following:
- Patients covered by commercial insurance receive negotiated rates with hospitals.
- Patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid programs receive hospital reimbursement rates determined by federal and state government.
- Some patients may qualify for financial assistance or uninsured discounts.
Beginning January 1, 2021, the US Department of Health & Services requires hospitals to post a listing of 300 shoppable items along with payer-specific negotiated charge for each item.
Learn more: Click Here for 300 Shoppable Items with Payer Negotiated Levels
The shoppable all service list is based on information gathered from our claims and insurance payment files. This is not a guarantee of what you will be charged. Your actual charges may vary for many reasons, including the seriousness of your illness.
Bates County Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing patients with an accurate pricing estimate for our services, including both Hospital and BCMH Providers. When applicable, your estimated insurance allowed amount and out of pocket expenses will also be provided. To request a price estimate, please contact our Patient Benefit Advisors at 660-200-2370.
If you are a resident of Bates County you may be eligible for financial assistance under the BCMH financial policy. You may be evaluated for financial assistance by calling 660-200-7312.
Good Faith Estimates
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain types of health care coverage an estimate of their bill for health care items and services before those items or services are provided.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any health care items or services upon request or when scheduling such items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- If you schedule a health care item or service at least 3 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 1 business day after scheduling. If you schedule a health care item or service at least 10 business days in advance, make sure your health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after scheduling. You can also ask any health care provider or facility for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you do, make sure the health care provider or facility gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing within 3 business days after you ask.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more for any provider or facility than your Good Faith Estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059.
COVID-19 Lab Transparency
In accordance with the CARES Act, Bates County Memorial Hospital and Family Care Clinics’ cash price for COVID-19 nasopharyngeal testing is $127.50 (effective March 24, 2020). Your health insurance plan may cover some of this lab cost, depending on your co-pay and deductible. Patients, please note that this price is only for the COVID-19 nasopharyngeal test, which is performed at Bates County Memorial Hospital or the Family Care Clinics under a doctor’s order and when the patient is showing symptoms of possible COVID-19 virus. Other tests and screening may be ordered and provided at the same time of service, which will affect a total bill for this service. For questions, contact a patient accounts representative at 660-200-7312 or 660-200-7064. Bates County Memorial Hospital is providing this service to assist you in determining your out of pocket costs prior to electing to move forward with your procedures.