If you have a payment plan and are getting a past due notice, you may have paid less than the agreed upon amount or paid after the due date you selected. Try to catch up on your payments, if possible. If not possible, please call us at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257 to review your payment agreement terms.
Back to top
Can I set up a payment plan for my portion of the bill?
Yes. However, as a not-for-profit healthcare facility, we cannot maintain balances for extended periods. We will work with you to establish a mutually agreeable payment plan. Call us at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257 during business hours to speak to a representative or use our Automated Account Information System at 330-344-1135 or 1-866-246-3472.
Back to top
Can you tell me what the total charges will be before I receive services?
We can provide an estimate. Please call 330-344-AGMC (2462) or 1-800-343-AGMC (2462).
What items are considered in setting your charges?
Many items are considered in determining charges for services, such as costs for supplies, equipment, staff and building and operations overhead. We realize that health care is expensive, but we work to ensure that we keep our costs as low as possible.
Back to top
Why can't all the bills - the hospital's and the doctor's - be on one form?
Providers, such as the hospital and doctors, must use their own tax identification numbers and health plan provider identification numbers. We are all required to send separate bills, and you will receive separate Explanations of Benefits (EOB) from the health plans. We realize how confusing it can be. We will do our best to work with you to explain any bill related to services provided at Akron General.
I have been a patient at Akron General many times so I receive multiple bills. It gets confusing trying to keep up with everything.
We understand. The medical billing process is complicated. Because of health plan requirements, we must bill each visit separately, except for recurring therapy or other treatment services. While this does generate a lot of paperwork, it does help make the process more understandable than if all billings were lumped together.
Here's a helpful hint for keeping track of it all: file your bills and health plan's Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) by date of service. That's what we do. This makes it possible to match a bill from a medical provider to the EOB from a health plan. This will help you know when a bill has been paid by your health plan company and will help you confirm we are billing you for the correct balance. Keep any additional correspondence filed by date of service too.
Please contact us at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257 for help in understanding your bills.
Can I get only one statement?
Once the remaining balance on a bill for a particular date of service becomes your responsibility we can combine multiple dates of service together, unless you have Medicare. You will then receive only one statement. You will be required to establish a payment plan when we consolidate your bills. When additional dates of service become your responsibility, they can be added to your previous combined statement, as long as your account is in good standing. Contact us directly to speak to a representative during business hours at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257.
Back to top
Why am I getting a past due notice when I am paying you each month?
Usually it is because you have not established a formal payment plan with us. Our billing system expects the balance to be paid in full unless a payment plan is established. If you cannot pay the balance in full, you must establish a payment plan. This can be done on the Automated Account Information System anytime at 330-344-1135 or 1-866-246-3472 or by calling us during business hours at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257.
Back to top
How and when will I know what I owe? What if I have two health plans?
Akron General will bill your primary health plan soon after you receive services, usually within a week or two. After we receive payment from your primary health plan, we will bill the secondary health plan for any remaining balance. The secondary bill is cannot be sent until the primary health plan has paid.
If you do not have a secondary health plan or if the secondary health plan does not pay the balance in full, we will send you a statement for the remaining balance. Once you receive this statement, we expect you to pay the amount indicated. Please take the time to review the summary of charges and call us if you have any questions about this amount. Often, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company showing what is paid and what is your responsibility.
How can I find out what I owe you right now?
You can use our Automated Account Information System at 330-344-1135 or 1-866-246-3472 anytime to check your account balance or simply call us during business hours at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257. Whether you're using the Automated Account Information System (AAIS) or speaking with a billing representative, you will need your account number from your statement handy.
Back to top
I don't have any insurance. Is there any help available?
We can assist you in several ways. We can assist you through the Medicaid application process. If you do not qualify, based on medical and financial criteria, we can review your financial situation to see if you qualify for the Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP), CARE or other financial assistance programs. Call us if you have questions.
I have insurance, but don't have much money and have many medical expenses. Is there any help available for the balance I owe after my insurance?
Please contact us at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257 to discuss available options.
What happens if I don't pay the bill?
Please call us if you cannot pay your bill. We will work with you to see if you qualify for any available assistance and/or to see if a payment plan can be arranged. If you do not contact us, we have no choice but to assume that you are not willing to resolve your account. We will send unpaid accounts to collection agencies for settlement. We do report delinquent accounts to the credit reporting agencies. Typically, however, this can be avoided with your cooperation.
Back to top
How do I update my address and other information, like my insurance company?
You can update your address through our Automated Account Information System at 330-344-1135 or 1-866-246-3472, on the return envelope when you are making a payment, by calling us at 330-344-2000 or 1-866-440-0257 during business hours or simply telling the registrar when you come in for services.
Back to top
Why was my stay in the Hospital billed as an outpatient service?
Your admitting doctor determines your status by the order he or she writes. Observation is considered an outpatient service, and it is used when your doctor is trying to determine if an inpatient admission is necessary. When you have a hospital stay, ask your physician or your care manager if you have been admitted or are in observation status. Your inpatient and outpatient benefits are different. For Medicare patients, observation status does not count toward the three-day hospital stay requirement for a skilled nursing facility visit, and self-administered drugs will not be covered.
Back to top
Please explain the registration process. Must I register each time?
Information gathered for patient registration at any Akron General facility is stored in our computer system. We retrieve this information each time you return for services and ask you to verify that the information is current and accurate. There are specific questions Medicare requires that we ask each time you register to determine whether Medicare or another health plan is primary. Your assistance in verifying the information at the time of registration is vital.
We are required to obtain the written physician order for outpatient services. Information about the reason for the visit (diagnosis, symptoms and the physician ordering the test or procedure) must be entered into our computer system to meet requirements of the insurance companies, but most importantly, to ensure that the results are sent to the right places.
If you are receiving a series of treatments, such as physical therapy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, registration is necessary only once for the period of treatment.
Back to top
The information contained on this Web site is intended to be general in nature and may not apply to your particular situation.
