Optimal Weight Loss and Surgery Consultants (OWLSC) is committed to the health and well-being of our patients. Our goal is to build a physician-patient relationship with all our patients and provide them with top quality care. Communication is key to this relationship and we want to make sure you know and understand our financial policies. If you have any questions, a member of our billing team will be happy to provide further clarification.
INSURANCE
We participate in many insurance plans. However, even within the same insurance company there are many versions of coverage. It is your responsibility to fully understand your plan benefits and any health savings accounts you have. We will submit primary insurance claims for you. As a courtesy, we will file secondary insurance claims as well if the information is provided in a timely manner. It is important that we have the most accurate and current insurance information prior to the service being provided. If you have a change of insurance, it is your responsibility to notify us of this change immediately. Our office cannot always tell you in advance whether or not each charge will be covered by your insurance plan. We are provided or the charge for that service, the settlement of that dispute is with your insurance carrier. Our office is not involved in the settlement of such disputes. The financial responsibility for the services provided to you is yours.
PAYMENT OF SERVICES
As required by all insurance plans, your co-pay, co-insurance, deductible, and non-covered services are due at the time of each service. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Please note that in all instances, the patient or guardian is responsible for paying the patient portion at the time of service. If there are financial circumstances that preclude you from settling your account at the time of your visit, we are more than willing to work with you. We ask that you communicate this with our billing office prior to receiving services so that payment arrangements may be made. You cannot have a visit with the physician until your copay or your coinsurance is paid in full. You cannot have a visit with the physician until any outstanding balances are paid in full or you have been placed on an approved payment plan with credit card on file.
APPOINTMENT CANCELLATION POLICY
Missed appointments or late cancelations represent a cost to us, to you, and to the patient who could have been seen in the time set aside for you. All cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to avoid a $50 fee. Patients who have missed 3 or more appointments without a 24-hour cancelation notice in a one-year time frame are subject to being discharged from the practice.
NON-PAYMENT POLICY AND OVERDUE ACCOUNTS
Patients with an outstanding balance 30 days past due must make arrangements for payment prior to scheduling their next appointment. We will make attempts to contact you to settle your account with us. When your account is 90 days past due with no payment arrangements made, we will assume you no longer want to be a patient of ours. We will send a certified letter to you letting you know that, by law, we will continue to provide emergency care for 30 days from date of notice. Should a patient need non-emergent medical attention within those 30 days, you will be required to settle your account prior to the visit.
By signing below, you acknowledge and agree to the Optimal Weight Loss and Surgery Consultants Financial policy. If the patient is not able to sign, the signer below is the legal guardian or responsible for the patient’s account.