FINANCIAL POLICY

As your physician, Dr. Higgins is committed to providing you with the best possible medical care.  He is extremely thorough and strives to be up to date on the latest treatments in his field.  Dr. Higgins feels strongly that diagnostic testing is important in his goal to successfully treat his patients. 

.    Diagnostic testing may include extensive blood work performed by an outside lab. 

     Lab work drawn in the office but performed outside the office will be billed by

     Quest Lab to the patient or the patient’s insurance company, if applicable.  Any

     Charges unpaid by the patient’s insurance company will be billed to the patient by

      Quest Lab.  Quest Lab furnishes a toll free number on their statements for any billing

      inquiries.  Please utilize this number but certainly make this office aware of any

      unresolved matters concerning Quest Lab.

.     Sonography is another diagnostic tool that Dr. Higgins relies upon.  In an effort to

      reduce cost and provide convenience for the patients, Dr. Higgins has purchased a

      sonar machine to provide this testing in the office.  The fee for this diagnostic testing

      is an additional to the office visit but at a cost much less than if performed in an

      outpatient hospital setting.  Our fee ranges between $150-$250.

We must emphasize that as your medical care provider, our relationship and concern is with you and your health, not your insurance company.  We will gladly discuss your proposed treatment and do our best to answer any questions relating to your insurance.  If you have any questions about our fees or any uncertainty regarding insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to ask us.  We are here to help you.  You must realize, however, that:

1.        Your insurance is a contract between you, your employer, and the insurance

company.

2.        Not all services are a covered benefit on all contracts.  Some insurance

companies arbitrarily select certain services they will not cover

(Ex:  yearly physicals, routine blood work, etc.)

We are a participating provider with Medicare, Medicaid, BC/BS, State Merit, Southcare, South Ga. Health Partners, Evolutions, and Community Care Network.  Co-Payment and deductible must be paid at the time of service.  Because we are under contract with these insurance companies, we will file insurance provided the patient furnishes the current insurance card and information.  If this information is not furnished, payment for service is due at the time services are rendered.  Patients covered by an insurance other than the above mentioned groups are responsible for payment and our office will file the insurance as a courtesy to the patient.

We accept cash, personal checks, and credit cards.  Returned checks are subject to a service charge of $20.00 and you will lose your privilege to write checks in our office.  There will be a $15.00 monthly charge added to any account that is outstanding after 90 days.  This does not include accounts pending insurance claims.  Any balance on an account after 90 days, including those that insurance has not paid, is liable to be turned over to a collection agency.  We realize that emergencies do arise and my affect timely payment of your account.  If such extreme cases do occur, please contact us promptly for assistance in the management of your account.