The name of our corporation is Michael W. Goodman, M.D., P.C. and our billing reflects that name. The individual provider’s name does not appear on our statements, but should appear on your insurance carrier’s explanation of benefits.
Our monthly statements show details of transactions from the previous month. If a charge was incurred or a payment received from two or more months previously, our statement will indicate “balance forward.” The length of time between medical service and the receipt of a statement is determined by the patient’s insurance carrier’s processing time, as we only send statements on balances that the patient owes.
Question: Can I make payments on the balance?
Answer: Financial difficulties are understood by our office and we can offer half down and balance in 3 months, with approved credit.
We accept Care Credit, with 6 months interest free. To apply, click on link.
We are participating with most insurance plans and will file your claims to them as a courtesy to you, the patient. We will not file claims to insurance carriers we are not participating with.
The filing of insurance is not accepted as payment in full, however. You will be responsible for co-pay, co-insurance and deductible amounts, as well as any other amounts that your insurance carrier determines you are responsible for. Co-pays are due at time of service and if not paid then, a $15.00 processing fee will be added to your account.
If an appointment is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice or you do not show up for a scheduled appointment, a $50.00 fee, not for any service, but for the lost opportunity to see another patient, will be added to your account.
With most insurance contracts, a claim must be filed within 60 days of the date of service. Therefore, it is very important that correct insurance information be given to the office on a regular basis.
Statements are not issued until our office has received a response to your claim from your insurance carrier. When you receive a statement, it would mean that:
- Your insurance has responded and this is the amount owed.
- We have either missing or wrong insurance information and require updated information.
- The carrier has pended the payment of the claim until additional requested information is received from the patient or insured.
- The service was not covered under your plan.
Guarantees are never given by the insurance company or our office that a service will be covered. The claim will be submitted on your behalf and should it be denied as non-payable, our office or the patient/insured has the right to appeal the insurance company’s decision.
While it is the easiest way of dealing with missing insurance information or updating existing information, a copy of the actual card is required. At times, insurance companies request a card copy in order to verify coverage; therefore, it is necessary to keep a copy of the patient’s insurance card on file. Also, the phone numbers for pre-certification, benefits, and eligibility are on the card for our staff’s reference.
Our office address is:
979 E. Third Street, Suite C-0630
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Our Billing Office telephone number is:
(423) 265-0398
