PRICE TRANSPARENCY
Niobrara Valley Hospital is committed to making sure our patients understand our services, charges and what to expect before, during and after their hospital visit.
Every service provided by a hospital is accompanied by a service charge. It is important to understand that some patients can receive more than one bill depending on who their doctor is and what services were administered to them. Patients will receive a single bill from the hospital and separate bills from physicians who are not on our staff, and other health care providers involved in their care. For example, if the physician orders an x-ray, then the patient will receive a bill from the hospital for the service and a bill from the radiologist’s office for the x-ray report.
Services administered during your hospital stay depend on your doctor’s orders. If you are admitted as an inpatient you can expect to see charges of the following types:
- Room and Board – these charges will vary by the level of care provided. For example, charges will be different for a day in intensive care versus general medical or surgical care.
- Laboratory testing
- Radiology exams
- Medical supplies
- Pharmaceuticals
This is not to say that all patients admitted as an inpatient will receive these charges. Each stay is unique to the treatment plan laid out by the patient’s doctor.
The service cost also depends upon which, if any, insurance plan is covering the patient’s care and how their benefits are structured. Insurer contracts with the hospital determine what price will be paid for services. Additionally, patients may have a deductible that must be met before insurance covers the cost of care, and/or they may be liable for paying a flat dollar co-payment or a percentage of the cost of any services provided.
It is also important to know whether the hospital and physician(s) are part of an insurance company’s health care network. If a patient seeks care out of network, they will likely be liable for a greater share of the bill. We recommend checking with your health insurance plan to verify whether the providers involved in your care are in their network. To do this, dial the member number located on the back of your insurance card.
What if I can’t afford hospital and/or physician charges?
Find out if you qualify for free or reduced fee care under our Financial Assistance Program. There are also a number of public and private assistance programs available to help patients get health care services and meet financial obligations associated with obtaining health care services.
How will I be billed?
Hospitals and physicians typically bill you separately for services provided to you in a hospital. You will receive one bill from Niobrara Valley Hospital for services administered in the hospital – x-rays, lab work, room and board, supplies, etc. – and a second bill from your physician or other specialists who aided in your treatment like a radiologist, surgeon or anesthesiologist.
When am I expected to Pay?
Hospital bills are similar to most other bills, with payment expected within 30 days. If you are unable to pay the entire sum of the bill in a 30-day period call the hospital at 402-569-2451 to set up an installment plan.