Insurance Information

Medicaid

St. Elizabeth Hospital is a participating provider with the Medicaid program and, therefore, accepts assignment of Medicaid benefits. Medicaid recipients are billed for charges that are ineligible for reimbursement according to Medicaid regulations. Medicaid patients are expected to pay such charges for medical services. Please contact us for financial evaluation and assistance on Medicaid issues.

Medicaid patients should present their Medicaid eligibility documentation for the current month prior to or at the time they are registered.

Medicare

St. Elizabeth Hospital is a participating provider with the Medicare program and accepts assignment of Medicare benefits. Unless a Medicare supplemental policy is in effect, Medicare recipients are billed for applicable co-insurance and deductibles, as well as charges ineligible for reimbursement (telephone, guest’s trays, etc.) according to Medicare regulations. Please contact us for financial evaluation and assistance on Medicare issues.

Patients should present their Medicare card and provide information about secondary coverage prior to or at the time of registration. The Medicare program requires asking patients a series of questions to determine if Medicare or another payor should be billed first or instead of Medicare.

If patients have enrolled in a Medicare +Choice plan (Medicare HMO), they should not present their Medicare card. Instead, they should present the Medicare + Choice plan I.D. card.

Commercial Insurance

St. Elizabeth Hospital accepts verified commercial insurance coverage. Patients may be requested to pay a known deductible and co-insurance amount at the time of service. St. Elizabeth Hospital can also file a claim for verified secondary insurance coverage on a patient's behalf, after payment is received and the hospital has an explanation of benefits from his/her primary payor.

Patients should present their commercial insurance I.D. card and provide information about secondary coverage prior to or at the time they are registered.

The following is a list of health plans accepted by St. Elizabeth Hospital. Talk to your employer or call us at (225) 647-5008 to make sure St. Elizabeth Hospital is part of your health plan.

Managed Care Plans participating with Our St. Elizabeth Hospital (HMO/PPO)

St. Elizabeth Hospital participates in numerous managed care plans and accepts assignment of benefits from these plans. Patients may be expected to pay their co-payment at the time of registration. Patients are billed for any balance identified as due by their plan. Patients are not billed for disallowed amounts as defined by the terms of the hospital's agreement with the managed care plan. If a patient has verified secondary insurance coverage, St. Elizabeth Hospital can file for the balance remaining after payment by his/her primary managed care plan.

Patients should present their plan I.D. card prior to or at the time they are registered and contact their insurance plan to pre-certify their stay.

If a patient is covered by a managed care plan, he/she is expected to obtain authorization prior to receiving any services.

Managed Care Plans not participating with St. Elizabeth Hospital

There are some managed care plans in which St. Elizabeth Hospital does not participate; therefore, a patient's level of coverage is dependent on his/her individual plan. Some plans require patients to use specific hospitals for their care or pay at a reduced rate if they use a nonparticipating hospital.

Private or Self-Pay

Patients who do not have third-party coverage are requested to pay in full at the time of service for inpatient and outpatient services.

A pre-admission deposit is required prior to the delivery of services. If a patient is not able to pay in full at the time of service, he/she will be referred to a St. Elizabeth Hospital financial counselor, who assists patients in making financial arrangements for the balance of charges.

The financial counselor may refer patients to a Medicaid enrollment advocate to determine if they qualify for some form of government financial assistance with their hospital bill.