| Q. |
How much will Medicare pay? |
| A. |
Medicare will pay for hospital services. You will be responsible for the co-payment, deductible and any other non-covered services. |
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| Q. |
Why do I have to give you information about other insurance if I have Medicare coverage? |
| A. |
Medicare requires us to bill any insurance company that could have responsibility for your expenses before we bill Medicare. In fact, Medicare will not allow us to file claims until the other insurer has denied claims.
In certain situations, the hospital must consider the possibility that another party may be responsible for your expenses before we bill Medicare. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, at your work site or on someone else’s property, it is the hospital’s responsibility to make sure those claims are filed appropriately. Consequently, we need to have complete information about all insurance coverage you have.
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| Q. |
I have supplemental insurance in addition to Medicare. Will you bill that insurance company also? |
| A. |
If you have given us information about your additional health insurance, we will bill that insurance company after Medicare makes their payment. |
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| Q. |
Do I have to sign any forms before Maryland General Hospital can bill Medicare? |
| A. |
You will be asked to sign a Consent for Treatment form each time you receive services. In addition, Medicare has specific questions we must ask each time you receive services. |
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| Q. |
What is the difference between Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B? |
| A. |
Part A covers inpatient hospitalization; Part B covers outpatient and physician services. |
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| Q. |
What is the Medicare Explanation of Benefits form? |
| A. |
The Explanation of Benefits form is an information document that Medicare sends to you after it has processed your medical claims. The Explanation of Benefits form provides you with information about the payment status of your bill. |
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| Q. |
What should I do with the Explanation of Benefits forms? |
| A. |
We recommend you keep the Explanation of Benefits forms you receive from Medicare until all your medical claims have been paid in full. If you have other health insurance in addition to Medicare coverage, your insurance company will normally require a copy of the Explanation of Benefits from you before they will pay any remaining balance on your account. |
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| Q. |
Should I pay the balance that is listed as "your total responsibility" on the Explanation of Benefits form? |
| A. |
No. This amount could change depending on your individual insurance coverage. You should wait until you receive a bill from your medical provider before making payment. |
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| Q. |
Will I have to pay any money for my hospital visits? |
| A. |
As a Medicare patient, you will only be responsible for non-covered charges, co-pays and deductible amounts. These amounts may vary depending on whether you receive inpatient care or outpatient services. Once Medicare lets us know your responsibility, we will bill your other health insurance company (if you have coverage) for the balance. If you do not have other health insurance, you will be billed for the balance. |
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| Q. |
Will my medical information be kept private and confidential? |
| A. |
Your health information is protected under the federal law which safeguards information about you or your medical condition. When you arrive at the hospital, you will receive detailed information on Maryland General’s privacy practices which explains how your health information will be used or disclosed. |
