Patients and Visitors
Strong Memorial Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why did I receive a bill from both the doctor and the hospital?
A. Your visit to Strong Memorial Hospital may result in billing
from various service providers. In addition to the hospital bill,
you may receive separate billings for professional providers who
assisted with your care. Those professionals include, but are
not limited to your:
- Attending physician
- Radiologist
- Cardiologist
- Anesthesiologist
- Ambulance company
- Emergency medical technician
Q. My insurance company requires me to send a bill from the hospital. How can I request a copy of my hospital bill?
A. Your insurance company will most likely request one of the
following forms:
- Universal bill (UB)
- Itemized bill (IB)
You can request a copy of your hospital bill(s) by calling Strong Memorial Hospital’s Patient Accounts Representatives at (585) 275-7223 or toll free at 1(800)-544-0877.
Q. Why did my insurance deny the claim?
A. Insurance companies should always notify their subscribers
directly when a claim is denied. If you have not received an Explanation
of Benefits, you should contact your insurance carrier directly.
The most common insurance denials received on claims are:
- You were not covered by your insurance plan on the date of service
- Service received was from a physician/facility outside your plan’s network
- No authorization/referral on file for services
- The service you received was not covered under your plan
- Your insurance carrier needs additional information from the patient
- The insurance information recorded at the time of service was inaccurate, incomplete or outdated.
Q. Will Strong Memorial Hospital bill both my primary and secondary insurance?
A. As a courtesy to our patients, we will bill all insurance plans
provided to us. If you receive any correspondence from us that
does not accurately reflect your insurance information, you should
contact our office immediately so that we can update our records
and submit claims on your behalf.
Q. Are payment arrangements available?
A. Yes. Payment plans for Hospital services may be arranged by
contacting the Patient Accounts Office at (585) 275-7223 or toll
free at 1(800)-544-0877.
Q. Why am I receiving a refund check?
An overpayment occurs if you paid too much on your account, or
if both you and your insurance carrier paid the same account.
Q. I belong to a managed care plan. Is there anything I should do before coming to the hospital?
A. Please review your insurance plan requirements and guidelines
thoroughly, including those related to referrals and authorizations.
(Be sure to contact your insurance provider directly if you require
assistance.) Failure to follow your insurance plan’s requirements
could result in denial of payment, pre-certification penalties,
or other out -of-pocket expenses for you. If you receive a written
or verbal authorization number from your primary care physician,
please provide us with this information at registration.
Q. How do I know whether or not my health insurance plan requires a referral or pre-certification for service?
A. Please review the benefit book provided by your insurance carrier,
or contact your carrier directly. The customer service phone number
is usually listed on your insurance ID card.
Q. I don’t have any insurance. Is there help available?
A. Strong Memorial Hospital staff can assist you with questions
on financial assistance and/or application processes, or will
advise you on how to proceed.
Q. How will Strong Hospital know in which health plan(s) I participate?
A. Our staff rely on you to present your current health plan identification
card(s) upon registration for both inpatient and outpatient services.
If for any reason you were not able to provide all the necessary
information at the time of your visit, please contact Strong Memorial
Hospital’s Patient Accounts Office at 585-275-7223 with
the information as soon as possible.
Q. Do I have to register each time I come to the hospital?
A. Yes. Information gathered from patient registration is stored
in our computer system. We retrieve this information each time
a patient returns for services and ask for verification that the
information is current and accurate.
Q. I come to the hospital often. Is it possible for me to receive just one bill?
A. There are some designated areas within the Hospital that generate
one bill per calendar month for their services, however insurance
companies require the vast majority of billing to be visit specific.