This web page was designed to provide you with basic information about insurance plan participation, referrals and authorizations, covered vs. non-covered services and balances that are your responsibility to pay.

The University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) has changed billing systems to improve the way we serve our patients.

Beginning February 1, 2012, you may notice several changes:

• Patients will only receive a bill for expenses not covered by insurance.
  UMHS will no longer send “This is not a bill” statements. Instead, patients will receive detailed statements only when a balance is due, though they can request documentation of the charges sent to their insurance plan at any time.
• Bills will come on a single statement.
  Instead of the separate professional and hospital statements that were sent in the past, the new bill will include all expenses not covered by insurance and a due date. (Note: Patients will continue to receive the “old” style of separate bills for care received prior to February 1, 2012 if a balance is still due.) View an example of the new bill here.
• With new “family billing,” patients can elect to receive one statement that includes minor dependents.

For Billing Questions:
855-855-0863 Toll Free
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
patient-customer-service@umich.edu

To Change Your Address, Phone Number, Insurance, Primary Care Physician, Referring Physician or Guarantor Information:
866-452-9896 Toll Free
Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

To Request Access to the UMHS Patient Portal:
Visit www.MyUofMHealth.org

Or call 734-615-0872

Insurance, Financial Assistance and Patient Billing

If we have a contract with your insurance plan, you will typically be asked to pay for any out of pocket costs such as co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles and non-covered services. Insurance contracts change periodically, and we recommend that you speak with your insurance plan to see if they include us in their network.

If your insurance plan does not have a contract with us, we will bill them as a courtesy to you, but any amounts unpaid by your plan will be your responsibility. If we are not a participating provider with your insurance plan, you may want to ask your insurance plan if they have participating providers in your area in order to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.

If you have multiple insurance plans, your insurance will use coordination of benefits to determine which insurance will pay as primary. Some insurance companies request patients to verify coordination of benefits every year, but some require verification less frequently. If your insurance is waiting for you to verify your coordination of benefits, they may refuse to pay your bills until you respond to their request or you may be billed.

Referrals and Authorizations

Many insurance plans require referrals and /or authorizations in order for services to be covered. A referral is permission from your primary care physician and your health plan to see a particular provider or to have specific procedures done. If your plan requires a referral, your primary care physician must provide the referral prior to services being rendered. You will be responsible for payment of your appointment if you do not get the necessary approvals.

Authorizations are often required for procedures such as surgery or MRI. If an authorization is required, UMHS clinic staff will obtain the authorization from your health plan prior to the service. If you have any questions about whether a service will be authorized, please call your health plan.

Payment for Services

You have several responsibilities to ensure that the billing process goes smoothly. Those responsibilities include:

• When making an appointment and when presenting for your appointment, providing the most recent insurance cards and making sure that we have the correct address for you.
• Understanding your insurance benefits, limitations and procedures. Contact your insurance company prior to your health visit so you are familiar with its requirements.
• Being prepared to make payment at the time of service for co-pays and non-covered services if your insurance company requires a co-pay or out-of-pocket expense.
• Contacting Patient Customer Service at 1-855-855-0863 to make arrangements if you cannot pay your balance in full. All patients are responsible for balances due on their accounts, and payment is due upon receipt of the bill. UMHS employs third-party collection agencies to help us resolve unpaid balances.