How do I apply for financial assistance?
Visit our Financial Assistance and Counseling page to learn more and download an application, or email pasfinancialcounselors@nebraskamed.com to request a copy.
How do I find out my current balance?
A quick way to see your current balance is to log into One Chart | Patient. Billing statements and balances are listed under the billing menu. Or you can call Patient Financial Services between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 402.559.5346.
Why did I get a bill for my annual wellness visit?
During an annual wellness visit, you may have questions about a new or long-term health problem. If your questions call for further evaluation, it may cause more charges. Your doctor may also ask you to schedule a separate visit to talk about specific concerns.
How do I get an estimate prior to treatment?
Call 402.559.5346 to request and estimate from one of our financial counselors between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Make sure you have the patient’s name, medical record number, insurance information and a detailed explanation of the patient’s needs handy when you call.
What is the difference between preventative procedures and diagnostic procedures?
Several routine procedures are considered preventative. Many insurance companies cover preventive exams and procedures 100%, meaning no out-of-pocket expense to you.
If there's a problem being addressed during a routine medical procedure, it is considered diagnostic. For a diagnostic procedure, your usual copay, deductible and coinsurance apply. Refer to your individual benefit plan for detailed coverage information.
Sometimes preventative procedures can become diagnostic procedures. For example, if polyps are discovered during a routine preventative colonoscopy, the physician will most likely remove those polyps. At that point, the colonoscopy becomes a diagnostic procedure, instead of a preventive procedure.
How do I pay my bill?
Payments may be made online, by phone or by mail.
- Online: Make payments within One Chart | Patient or on our bill pay website.
- Over the Phone: Call Patient Financial Services at 402.559.3140 (or toll free at 888.662.8662) between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- By Mail: Follow the instructions included in your statement. Please return the bottom portion of your bill with your payment.
We accept check, money order, or credit card payments. If you are a Nebraska Medicine employee you may make arrangements for payroll deductions by calling Patient Financial Services.
Do you accept my insurance?
Visit our Insurance Plans and Networks Accepted by Nebraska Medicine page for the list of insurance plans, coverages and networks Nebraska Medicine participates in. Always contact your insurance company or payer before you seek care to verify your benefits and coverage and to confirm Nebraska Medicine medical providers participate in your plan. The list is updated periodically and is subject to change.
How do I know if Nebraska Medicine is in-network?
Contact your insurance company to verify that Nebraska Medicine is an in-network facility. Sometimes Nebraska Medicine is contracted with your insurance company, but your specific plan may not be included in that coverage. We also recommend patients verify that the physicians providing care are also in-network medical providers. Sometimes hospital charges are in-network, but physicians working at the hospital are not. It is your responsibility to know which providers are in your network.
How much will I owe after insurance pays?
Your insurance company will send you an explanation of benefits (EOB) summarizing the payments they’ve already made to Nebraska Medicine, and the remaining balance you’re responsible for. If you have questions about the amount paid or not paid by your insurance company, call your insurance company’s customer service number located on the back of your insurance card or within the explanation of benefits letter. To get an estimate prior to treatment, call 402.559.5346 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a Nebraska Medicine financial counselor.
What if I don’t have insurance?
If you don’t have insurance coverage, several days after you are discharged from the hospital or receive outpatient services, you will get a patient liability statement from Nebraska Medicine in the mail. Payment for the services you received should be made after receiving this letter. To make payment arrangements, or discuss financial aid options, call Patient Financial Services at 402.559.3140 (or toll free at 888.662.8662) between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What is a hospital-based clinic?
Nebraska Medicine clinics are designated as hospital-based outpatient clinics. Hospital-based outpatient clinics operate under federal guidelines and are a nationally recognized model of practice. The designation simply means a hospital owns the practice and employs the staff involved in patient care. Hospital-based clinics are held to higher standards of care and are required to meet The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation standards for hospitals. TJC accreditation standards for hospitals are stricter than the standards set for non-hospital-based outpatient clinics. Visits to a hospital-based outpatient clinic result in two charges: one for hospital services and one for physician services.
How do I change my billing address, or update my insurance information?
You can complete and return the form located on the back of your billing statement, or you may contact Patient Financial Services at 402.559.3140 (or toll-free at 888.662.8662) between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
How do I sign up for paperless billing?
Sign up for paperless billing in our patient portal: One Chart | Patient
Why do you ask for my insurance information every time I register?
Requesting your insurance information each time you register is the best way to ensure accurate billing. Once this information is entered into our system, the billing is automatically sent electronically to your insurance company. We must send accurate and updated information each and every time to avoid rejections or long delays in payment.
Why is my family member, or a family member’s account number, listed on my bill?
We bill to the documented responsible party. If two patients have the same responsible party, both patients will be listed on a single monthly statement. This prevents the responsible party from receiving multiple monthly statements and is more cost efficient.
Why do I have more than one account number?
A separate account number is generated for each outpatient service date and each inpatient admission. This helps us bill for specific charges and diagnosis related to each service date, and enables your insurance company to efficiently apply your benefits. For recurring outpatient accounts (like physical or radiation therapy) a separate account is generated monthly, not per appointment.
What do I do if I was overcharged, or accidentally paid my bill twice?
If you accidentally overpaid, or were overcharged, it will be caught when your account is reviewed. We will refund you the difference if there are no additional outstanding charges. Please call us at 402.559.3140 if you notice a mistake or have concerns.
How do you apply payments to my account?
When you make a payment, the money will go to pay your oldest outstanding bill unless you have given us a specific account number and date for a different bill. When paying your bill, the best way to pay a specific bill is to write the information on your check, or in the “amount paid” box on the payment form.
Do I need to pre-register for my hospital stay?
Yes, please pre-register for your procedure at least five days before receiving treatment.
What’s an explanation of benefits?
The explanation of benefits you receive from your insurance company explains how much they have paid for medical services on your behalf, and summarizes the remaining balance you are excited to pay. The amounts in the explanation of benefits should match the amounts in our patient liability statement. Learn more here.
What’s a patient liability statement?
After we receive a payment from the insurance company, Nebraska Medicine will send you a patient liability statement for any remaining balance. The amount should match what was stated in the explanation of benefits letter you received from your insurance company. Learn more here.
Why did I get a bill from a doctor or hospital I didn’t visit?
If you are charged for services from a doctor or hospital you didn’t visit, it is usually for services such as radiology imaging review, pathology specimen analysis, consultations or anesthesia during surgery. If you’d like to know specifics, please call Patient Financial Services at 402.559.3140.
What if I don’t speak English?
Nebraska Medicine has medically trained Spanish interpreters on staff 24/7, and other languages are available via phone. Interpretive services can be requested and coordinated through your medical provider.