Financial Services

Our patient-centered philosophy makes us sensitive to the complex medical, emotional, psychosocial, spiritual and financial issues faced by patients and their families.

In the changing world of health care, financial and insurance issues can be complex and confusing. This pamphlet was designed to help you understand our process for billing medical services and to explain your role.

Insurance
We accept most types of insurance. As a patient new to TCCC, you should contact your insurance provider for a written copy of your insurance policy. This information can help you make informed decisions about your care and will assist us in getting the information we need to process your insurance claims quickly and accurately.

Managed Care
Managed care plans (HMO, PPO and POS) often require you to use specific physicians, facilities and/or ancillary services. If you are covered by a managed care plan, please consult your insurance company's provided manual to determine whether TCCC is a participating provider. It is a good idea to check that all your physicians are in the provider manual. Managed care plans may require co-payments for each outpatient visit and physician involved in your care.

Cost
The cost of your medical services will depend on which services your physician feels are necessary to diagnose and treat your condition. You may be covered by insurance, which will pay for some portion of your medical services. Even though you are insured, it is likely that you will be responsible for some costs of your medical services. This could be through co-payments, deductibles, and annual or lifetime limits.

For some medical services, pre-authorization may be required by your insurance company. Failure to do so may result in denial by your insurance company. This would make you responsible for the costs your insurance company would have paid, or other penalties. Trinitas CCC registration staff will obtain the necessary pre-authorization from your insurance company on your behalf. If you are not covered by insurance and will be responsible for all of the medical services costs, please contact our financial counselors. They will assist in estimating the costs of your initial services and inform you about our deposit policy.

Billing
You will receive multiple bills for your medical services. One bill will be for the technical charges of the care you receive. Examples of these charges are laboratory tests, CT Scans, chemotherapy infusions and radiation treatments. Another type of bill will be for professional charges from your physician. Depending on the number of physicians involved in your care, you may receive bills from surgeons, radiation/ medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, etc.

On your behalf, we will bill your insurance company for the technical charges of the care you receive. This requires that we have the most current and accurate information regarding your insurance. As a new patient, we will photocopy your insurance card and identification during registration. You will also be required to assign benefit payments directly to TCCC. Continuing patients are responsible for advising TCCC of changes in their insurance coverage or other personal information. If you are covered by more than one insurance plan, we need the information on each plan.

We will work closely with you and your insurance company. However, if we are not able to receive prompt or full payment from them, you will need to call the insurance company and work with them to resolve any balances. For your payment we accept cash, personal checks, Visa(r), Master Card(r) and American Express(r). If you have questions regarding a bill received from your physician, please call the inquires telephone number on that bill. If you have questions regarding the bill you receive from TCCC for technical charges, please call your patient representation at
908-994-8000.

If you are unable to reach someone during normal business hours, leave a detailed message including your name, account number and daytime telephone number. We will return your call on the next working day.

Frequently Asked Financial Questions
Here are some questions to address before your first visit to the Cancer Center.

What is the role of your primary care physician (PCP)?
The PCP is often the pivotal person in your healthcare. He or she may issue authorizations, suggest further tests, coordinate your care of recommend one of our Physicians for your assessment and treatment.

Do our services require pre-authorization by your insurance company?
Pre-authorization from your insurance company is often required before scheduling consultation visits, diagnostic tests, treatment or other clinical procedures. If your insurance plan requires pre-authorization before medical services are provided, Trinitas CCC registration staff will obtain the necessary pre-authorization from your insurance company on your behalf.

Authorizations can be forwarded by your primary care physician. We accept a copy, electronic file or FAX. If a required authorization is not received by the day before your appointment, your Appointment may be rescheduled.

Do you need a referral before seeing a specialist?
Most of our physicians are considered specialist and may require a referral from your PCP. Some referrals may allow for a specified number of visits, while others may need to be reissued for each visit. Some referrals may only be good for a specified amount of time. Your insurance plan will have this information.

Contacting Financial Counselors
Your satisfaction and peace of mind is a top priority Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center has trained staff to assist you with insurance and other financial issues, in addition to your clinical needs. If you have any difficulty obtaining information or understanding your insurance coverage, please contact financial counseling at 908-994-8000. Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

 

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