We care about providing our community great health care. Palo Pinto General Hospital accepts Medicaid and most private health plans. We offer a variety of payment plan options for families of all economic levels.
Billing FAQ
You have certain rights under the Federal Surprise Billing Act of 2022.
Your rights and protections against surprise medical bills. When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from balance billing. In these cases, you shouldn’t be charged more than your plan’s copayments, coinsurance and/or deductible.
Balance billing. When you see a doctor or other healthcare provider, you may owe certain out-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance and/or a deductible. You may have additional costs or have to pay the entire bill of you see a provider or visit a healthcare facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.
You’re never required to give up your protections from balance billing. You’re not required to get out-of-network care and have the right to choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.
Healthcare providers are required to give patients who don’t have certain types of health care coverage or who are not using certain types of healthcare coverage an estimate of their bill for healthcare services before they are provided.
- You have the right to receive a good faith estimate for the total expected cost of any healthcare items or services upon request or when scheduling such services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment and hospital fees.
- If you schedule a service at least three days in advance, you should receive a good faith estimate in writing within one business day after scheduling. If you schedule a healthcare service at least 10 days in advance, you should receive a good faith estimate in writing within three business days after scheduling.
- You can request a good faith estimate prior to scheduling a services and should receive your good faith estimate in writing within three business days.
- if you receive a bill that is more than $400 over your good faith estimate from that provider or facility, you can dispute the bill.
For questions or more information about your rights to a good faith estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises.
Our practice is to collect all known fees upon registration—including deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance—based on your estimated charges. Your final bill will reflect actual charges for services provided, which may be higher or lower than any estimate provided.
If actual charges are higher than estimated, we may ask for additional payment. If actual charges are lower than estimated, we will process the appropriate refund.
If you have insurance or other coverage, we will bill your insurance company or other coverage shortly after your visit. Your insurance company or other coverage may contact you for additional information to process your claim. Please respond quickly to ensure you receive the maximum benefit from your coverage.
After the insurance or other coverage payment has been received, you will receive a final billing statement from Palo Pinto General Hospital. The remaining balance may include deductibles, co-insurance, co-payments and any non-covered charges. If you have questions regarding the way your claim was processed, please contact your insurance company or other coverage directly.
Payment is due upon receipt of the final billing statement. If payment in full is not possible, Palo Pinto General Hospital has payment options. Please see your final billed statement for online resources, or you may contact Med Cycle at 866.642.2354 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to discuss payment options.
Palo Pinto General Hospital partners with MDSAVE to offer bundled pricing for services for patients without insurance or other coverage, or for those who choose not to use their insurance or other coverage.
If payment in full is not possible, we will work with you to find an option that fits your needs. To discuss options such as obtaining coverage, applying for Medicaid or other financial assistance, contact Financial Services at 940.328.6253 from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Your hospital bill contains charges for hospital services only. Certain professional and physician services are often performed along with hospital services as ordered by your treating physicians. You will be billed separately for physician services such as:
- Emergency room physicians.
- Radiologists (physicians who interpret x-rays, MRIs, CTs and ultrasounds).
- Pathologists (physicians who examine body tissues and body fluids reads).
- Cardiologists (physicians who treat heart and blood vessel conditions).
- Neonatologists (physicians who treat newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit).
- Anesthesiologists (physicians who administer general/regional anesthesia and pain management).
- Other consulting physicians.
These are independent from the hospital and bill separately for their services.
Palo Pinto General Hospital cannot ensure physicians are contracted providers with your plan. Questions about these bills should be directed to the physician office.
Palo Pinto General Hospital does not automatically sent itemized statements. You may obtain an itemized statement via your MyConnect Patient Portal or you may contact Med Cycle at 866.642.2354 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you have questions about your bill, or believe that it is incorrect, call Med Cycle at 866.642.2354 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Co-payment
A co-payment is a set fee the member pays to providers at the time services are provided. Co-pays are applied to emergency room visits, hospital admissions, office visits and more. The cost is usually minimal. The patient should be aware of the co-payment amounts prior to services being rendered.
Deductible
Deductibles are provisions that require the patient to accumulate a specific amount of medical bills before benefits are provided. For example, if a patient’s policy contains a $1,000 deductible, the patient must accumulate and pay $1,000 out-of-pocket before the insurance or other coverage plan will pay benefits. Contact your insurance or other coverage plan for information about your deductible.
Co-insurance
Co-insurance is a form of cost sharing. After your deductible has been met, the plan will begin paying a percentage of your bills. The remaining amount, known as co-insurance, is the portion due by the patient.
Palo Pinto General Hospital’s mission includes improving the overall health status of the district/area in which it serves. For more information on Charity Care at PPGH contact the Financial Services department at (940)328-6253