WINNEMUCCA -Do you have questions regarding your hospital bill?
Humboldt General Hospital is hoping it can offer answers to account holders over the coming weeks with the arrival of a new billing rep.
A representative from Healthcare Resource Group (HRG), the hospital's off-site billing company, is now on-site at Humboldt General Hospital through Thursday, Sept. 13.
The representative is not only available to discuss existing accounts, but can also discuss upcoming medical procedures, including estimated cost, insurance coverage and self-pay options.
Hospital officials say the account rep's arrival is a clear step forward in helping local residents resolve any billing issues they may have.
"It's difficult enough to have to seek medical help for an unwanted condition," said HGH CEO/Administrator Jim Parrish, "but when the billing process doesn't go smoothly, that certainly makes matters worse."
Parrish added, "We want to remedy any of those situations."
The hospital contracted with the Spokane, Washington-based company several years ago to process its 8,000-plus monthly bills.
According to the company, 48 percent of Critical Access Hospitals like Humboldt General Hospital utilize an off-site billing service. Industry experts expect that figure will continue to rise over the coming years as increasingly complex Medicare and Medicaid regulations are put in place.
Parrish said another factor that makes the billing process a difficult-if not impossible-task for hospitals like HGH is training people in-house for the highly specialized coding and other procedures that must accompany each bill.
"That's why we turned to outside experts," said Parrish. "It's not a perfect system, but we are working to make it better every day."
Parrish said the visit from the HRG rep is testament to that. "We wanted one of these experts on site to meet with our local residents and provide good information and financial counseling face to face."
He added, "That's a much better situation than trying to talk to someone several states away."
The representative will be stationed in the hospital's Business Office from now through Thursday, Sept. 13. Appointments are available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
While this initial visit by HRG is a temporary one, Parrish said the company has agreed to place a representative on-site full-time in the very near future.
Current account holders with questions regarding their bill, and/or those with questions regarding future medical procedures, including estimated cost, insurance coverage and self-pay options, should call (775) 623-5222, ext. 184 to schedule an appointment.
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