Insurance and Billing FAQs

A: Every insurance policy is different, but typically companies won’t pay if they determine the visit was not an emergency. Trips to the emergency room cost more money, given the high costs of making available a highly trained emergency staff and emergency equipment 24-hours a day. If you have any doubts about whether your condition is an emergency, call your primary care provider’s office and talk to a physician or physician assistant about your condition. If the offices are closed, we recommend you call your insurance company for specifics about your policy. Lastly, if these options are unavailable, it is better to err on the safe side when it comes to your health–the cost may be well worth it.

A: If you had x-rays, you will be receiving a bill from a radiologist. The radiologist is the doctor who reads your x-ray, and they bill separately for their service.

A: If you recently visited one of our health centers and had lab work done–if your blood was drawn, for example, the hospital does most laboratory work and bills for that processing.

A: In most cases you should use your primary insurance first, which means the insurance you had previously. You should also report both insurances and make it clear which is your primary. Often, if insurance companies are not billed in the correct order, they will not pay for certain services. If you have questions, please call your insurance companies before you seek services.

A: If you saw a physician assistant, the name on the bill is probably that of the supervising physician who is responsible for overseeing the recommendations and treatment made by the physician assistant. They work together as a team to ensure you have the best care possible.

You will get the most out of your health insurance if you read and understand your policy before you need to use it. You may want to call your insurance company if you have any doubts over whether specific services are covered.

Also, when you visit a health facility make sure you have your current information about your insurance policy, including an up-to-date address. If the hospital has sufficient information with which to bill, the process will go more smoothly for both you and our business office.

If, after calling your insurance company you still do not understand some aspect of your bill, please call the hospital and you will be directed to the appropriate person in the business office depending on your insurance.

The terms and policies laid down by insurance companies are frequently difficult to interpret or remember when the time comes and you need to seek medical care. MDI Hospital is currently working on a plan to make understanding your bill easier. By answering some of the commonly asked questions about Hospital billing, we hope to increase your understanding and save you money.

A: If you are seen at your doctor’s office, you will receive a bill from MDI Health Centers for the visit. If you are seen in the hospital or have lab work done at the doctor’s office, you will receive a bill from Mount Desert Island Hospital.

You may also receive a bill from an outside provider, such as the radiologist who reads your CT scan or X-ray, or an outside laboratory that processes a specimen (such as Dahl Chase).

A: Your insurance company and your individual policy determine your co-payment amount. Because of the variation in insurance policies, any questions regarding this amount should be directed to your insurance company directly.

A: Medicare Part A coverage covers inpatient hospital charges only. Medicare Part B covers outpatient charges such as doctor’s office charges, laboratory, and radiology charges.

A: In addition to the hospital bill, most insurance companies send out an Explanation of Benefits. This letter explains which services were billed to the insurance company as well as what the insurance company has covered and what you are expected to pay for. This is done to help you understand what your insurance company will cover and ensure that the correct services were billed to the insurance company.