Saint Francis Remains an Option Regardless of Insurance Network
Regardless of the network affiliations included with your organization’s health insurance coverage, your employees can take comfort in knowing they retain affordable access the quality care offered by Saint Francis Medical Center.
One of the tools the Medical Center offers to minimize costs is the prompt-pay discount program. This program generally reduces co-pay and deductible amounts to levels comparable to what individuals would pay at an in-network hospital.
The discount applies when patients complete payment of the co-pay and deductible within 45 days of receipt of the bill. Call the Saint Francis Business Office at 573-331-5182 to determine eligibility for the program or for more information.
The Medical Center’s array of service offerings and the exceptionally high quality of its providers enable more patients than ever to receive treatment locally. This is an important part of the healing process.
Emergency and Trauma Center access
Federal laws now prohibit new insurance policies from requiring higher co-pays or co-insurance for emergency room services at hospitals not included in your plan’s network. That is especially good news with this month’s completion of the Gene E. Huckstep Emergency and Trauma Center expansion and renovation.
The project effectively tripled the size of the department to achieve better outcomes, improve quality and efficiency of care, and increase patient safety and satisfaction. The Emergency and Trauma Center is the region’s only state-designated Level III trauma center.
As a major healthcare provider for the five-state region, Saint Francis will continue creating opportunities for patients to maintain their relationships with the Medical Center and its growing list of medical partners.
For more information on Saint Francis’ services and affordable care options, call Jason Bandermann, MBA, referral services manager, at 573-331-5825.
Saint Francis’ Prompt-pay Program Minimizes Costs for UnitedHealthcare Patients
Saint Francis Medical Center’s prompt-pay discount program provides an affordable option for individuals covered by UnitedHealthcare insurance plans. The UnitedHealthcare network does not include Saint Francis as an in-network provider.
Generally speaking, the prompt-pay program reduces co-pay and deductible amounts to levels comparable to what individuals would pay at an in-network hospital. The following is a description of the process patients should follow to ensure they receive the appropriate discount.
Step 1: The patient provides pertinent information at registration upon arrival at the Medical Center, including health insurance information. In most cases in which UnitedHealthcare is the insurance carrier, the registration staff will provide information on whom to contact next for more information.
Step 2: The Medical Center’s UnitedHealthcare specialist will contact the carrier to inquire about the patient’s in-network benefits. He or she then uses this information to calculate the cost of services provided to the patient as if Saint Francis was included in the network.
Step 3: Saint Francis bills the in-network cost to the patient, with the discounted total assumed from the start of the process. Once the patient receives the statement, he or she will have 45 days to pay his or her entire portion of the bill. The Medical Center’s Business Office will send out a reminder after 30 days.
Step 4: If the patient does not pay his or her portion of the bill within 45 days, the bill reverts back to the out-of-network benefits. Saint Francis then issues an additional bill for the new amount.
Call the Saint Francis Business Office at 573-331-5182 to determine eligibility for the program or for more information.
Back School Provides Education to Reduce Injuries
Inappropriate lifting techniques and failure to stretch are two of the most common issues that lead to back injuries in the workplace. The Outpatient Rehabilitation Services team at Saint Francis Medical Center provides Back School educational programs designed to meet the specific needs of employers.
“The goal of these programs is to protect employees and employers by reducing the potential for workplace injuries,” explains Joel Sander, MSPT, manager of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Saint Francis. “We tailor these programs to what each individual business is looking for, based on the type of work its employees do.”
The one-hour presentations include a demonstration of stretching techniques that workers can use before they begin their shift or whenever they are feeling a little sore. Posters illustrating proper technique and posture also are available for permanent display.
“Lifting an object to the side, not bending the knees or hips, and taking the full weight of an object with the back muscles are the most common causes of lift-related injuries,” Sander says. “We demonstrate techniques that are easy to understand, but sometimes that is all it takes to have a lightbulb go off in a person’s head and reduce his or her risk of injury.”
For more information on workplace health and safety issues, call Jason Bandermann, MBA, referral services manager, at 573-331-5825.