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About Insurance Alliance, Keystone, Security Blue and other HMO/managed care insurances require referral forms from your primary care physician before you vist the Regional Cancer Center. Please obtain these forms BEFORE your first visit Insurance At The Regional Cancer Center, we make every effort to help you handle your insurance. The following describes The Regional Cancer Center's policy with regard to insurance billing. Even though the Center will bill the insurance company for you, you may continue to receive a monthly statement from us to keep you informed of the status of your account. Medicare The Regional Cancer Center's physicians are participants in the Medicare program. This means the Medicare payment check will be sent directly to the Center. We will accept the charge and the amount approved. Medicare, however, only pays 80% of most approved charges. You will be responsible for both the annual Medicare deductible and the other 20% of the amount approved. Blue Cross/Blue Shield The Regional Cancer Center physicians participate in some of the Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio Blue Cross/Blue Shield programs. Please check with the Business Office staff for information if you have a Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy. They will be able to tell you if we participate in your program and how your claims will be handled. Commercial Health Insurance The Center will file your commercial insurance for you. Please leave a signed, completed form with the Business Office at the time of your visit. Please remember that several commercial insurances have deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for which you may be responsible. PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)/HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) The Center is currently on several PPO/HMO provider panels. Most PPO/HMO's require pre-authorization for treatment by our specialists. You are responsible for contacting your PPO/HMO or primary care physician to obtain pre-authorization for any treatment. This must be done before actual treatment is rendered. Medicaid The Center does participate in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio Medicaid programs. Pennsylvania Medicaid patients will be required to pay a co-payment for most services. Your valid Medicaid card should be presented to the Business Office on each visit. If you have a Medicaid HMO insurance plan, you must bring a referral form to the Center at your first visit. Payment Arrangements You are responsible for the balance of the charges after insurance has paid. The Regional Cancer Center does not have funds available for patients who are unable to pay their bill. Realizing that this may be a difficult time for you, the Center is willing to arrange convenient and reasonable payment plans based on your financial situation. The Center has a Financial Counselor on staff to assist you. You are strongly urged to discuss any questions you may have in regard to the cost of your treatment, payment options, and/or payment schedules with the Financial Counselor. If you prefer, The Regional Cancer Center staff will be happy to answer your questions over the phone. You may call the direct billing number at (814) 838-0410 or the main office number at (814) 838-9000. Long distance callers may use the toll free number: (800) 477-6647. If payment arrangements are not made or kept, your account may be sent to a collection agency. Other Billing Information There are two fees involved in diagnostic x-rays. The Center bills for the technical fee. The Radiologist's professional interpretation fee is billed by a group of consulting physicians from area hospitals who provide radiology services to The Regional Cancer Center. Also, you and/or your insurance may be billed by an outside laboratory for lab tests sent out from the Center for interpretation. Inquiries about referral lab billings may be made directly to them. |
