How to Pay Your Medical Bill at St. Joseph Hospital in Humboldt County

Receiving medical care should not cause financial hardship. At St. Joseph Hospital in Humboldt County, California, we make paying your hospital bill as simple and stress-free as possible. We offer multiple payment options, financial assistance programs, and billing specialists to help you fully understand and manage the costs of your care.

St. Joseph Hospital has been proudly serving Northern California since 1920. Our facilities in Eureka provide comprehensive health services to Humboldt County residents. We aim to provide excellent medical treatment while also supporting patients through the billing process.

Read on to learn about how to pay your St. Joseph Hospital Humboldt medical bill. We outline the payment methods available, financial help resources, and tips for avoiding surprise medical bills.

Overview of Payment Options at St. Joseph Hospital

You have flexibility when it comes to paying your St. Joseph Hospital medical bills. We accept payment in the following ways:

• Online Bill Pay – Securely pay your hospital bill online 24/7 using a credit/debit card or electronic bank transfer.

• Pay by Phone – Call our automated payment line anytime to make a payment by credit/debit card,

• Pay by Mail – Mail in a check or money order payable to St Joseph Hospital, Include your account number on the check,

• In Person – Visit the hospital cashier office during business hours to pay by cash, check, or card.

• Payment Plan – Set up monthly installments if you cannot pay your balance in full. No interest or fees.

• Financial Assistance – We offer discounted care and fee waivers for those who qualify.

Always remember to keep copies of bills, receipts, and communications regarding your account. For billing questions, contact our Patient Accounts department at 707-xxx-xxxx.

Setting Up an Online Account to Manage Bills

The easiest way to view your St. Joseph Hospital medical bills and make payments is through our online patient portal. You can set up a secure account that allows you to:

• Access current and past billing statements.
• Make one-time payments by credit/debit card or e-Check.
• Set up scheduled recurring payments.
• View payment history and print receipts.
• Receive paperless billing.

To sign up, visit StJosephHospitalBilling.com and click “Create New Account”. Have your medical record number ready. Contact billing services if you need help obtaining this.

Logging in regularly makes staying on top of your account simple. Update your payment details, enroll in paperless billing, and monitor account activity. Managing your hospital bills online saves time and gives you financial peace of mind.

Applying for Low Income Financial Assistance

St. Joseph Hospital offers financial help for patients who are uninsured or underinsured with limited means to pay their medical bills. Assistance is based on household size, income, and the current Federal Poverty Guidelines.

If approved, you may qualify for:

• Discounts on hospital services up to 100%.
• Extended payment plans.
• Waived fees.
• Help enrolling in government programs like Medi-Cal.

To begin the application process, request a financial assistance form from the billing office. Submit the completed form along with income verification documents for review. You will be notified if you are eligible for discounted care.

Avoiding Surprise Medical Bills

One way to avoid confusion regarding your St. Joseph Hospital bill is to ask for cost estimates upfront. You are entitled to an itemized estimate of the charges for any non-emergency medical services.

Be sure to clarify which care providers, like surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, etc. are included in the estimate. These clinicians often bill separately from the hospital.

For scheduled services, call your insurance plan as well. Confirm which providers are in-network and that the treatment is covered before receiving care. This prevents unexpected costs due to out-of-network charges or benefit limitations.

If you do end up with a surprisingly high medical bill, immediately contact St. Joseph Hospital billing services or your insurance plan. Ask them to walk through the charges to understand where the amount is coming from and discuss ways to reduce the balance. Don’t delay reaching out.

Setting Up Monthly Payment Arrangements

If you are unable to pay your full St. Joseph Hospital medical bill at once, ask about arranging monthly payments. We can set up interest-free installment plans based on your financial situation.

When calling to make arrangements, have the following information ready:

• Your account number and amount due.
• Your desired monthly payment amount.
• Number of months needed to pay the balance.
• Preferred payment method (auto-debit from bank account, recurring credit card, etc.)

Adhering reliably to your agreed upon payment schedule is crucial. Defaulting can still impact your credit score and put your account at risk of collections. So set realistic installments you know you can consistently afford.

Seek Bill Review if You Are Charged in Error

Despite best efforts, billing errors can occur. If you notice any discrepancies or suspect you have been overcharged on your St. Joseph Hospital medical bill, request a review immediately.

Common medical billing errors include:

• Being billed for services you did not receive.
• Duplicate charges for the same procedure or test.
• Incorrectly coded procedures resulting in higher costs.
• Out-of-network charges when you saw an in-network provider.
• Services not covered by your benefits incorrectly billed to you.

Reaching out quickly to dispute suspect charges improves the chances the billing department can resolve the issues and prevent inaccurate payments. Be persistent following up if the problems are not quickly corrected.

In Summary

Navigating hospital bills and medical payments can be intimidating. But St. Joseph Hospital aims to ease worries through clear billing communication, online account access, and financial assistance programs.

Contact our billing department with any questions as they arise. We make every effort to provide patients affordable care and workable payment solutions. Focus on healing, and leave the finances to us!