CONTACT US:
Patient Financial Services: 832-355-3081 or toll free at 800-854-5455
Email: generalinformation@sleh.com
You can meet with us at our offices, located at 3100 Main Street, 5th floor (view map). Dial x-58542 from the 5th floor lobby. We recommend that you call ahead to schedule an appointment.
PAY BILLS ON LINE
Patients can now sign up with St. Luke's Patient Access Online to pre-register and pay bills online.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What billing or insurance information will I receive from St. Luke's?
Will St. Luke's send my hospital bill to my insurance company, or will I have to do it?
How long will it take to get things settled with the insurance company?
Why am I getting bills from physicians?
How can I find out whether my insurance has paid my bill from St. Luke's or how much they have paid?
I received a notice that my insurance company has paid on my bill -- but I can't understand how they calculated their payment amount. Do you know?
I don't understand some of the items on my St. Luke's bill. Can you explain them to me?
Will St. Luke's accept monthly payments on the portion I owe?
Does St. Luke's report bad debts to a credit bureau?
How can I obtain financial assistance to cover my bill?
Does St. Luke's offer cash discounts for prompt payment?
What billing or insurance information will I receive from St. Luke's?
You will receive a copy of your bill when it is sent to your insurance company(ies). After your insurance has paid, we'll provide you with a monthly statement of your account.
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Will St. Luke's send my hospital bill to my insurance company(ies), or will I have to do it?
We will gladly file your bill with any insurance companies that you have authorized. Just make sure you give us complete information on those companies, including addresses, policy numbers, etc. Also, when you pre-register, be sure to sign an authorization form that permits us to file your bill with these companies.
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How long will it take to get things settled with the insurance company?
Generally, it takes from 60 to 90 days to obtain payment from an insurance carrier. We will work with the carrier for up to 90 days to resolve your bill. If it has not been resolved in that time, the bill becomes your responsibility.
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Why am I getting bills from physicians?
Each physician who provides professional services will send you a separate bill from his or her office. These physicians will include:
- your own physician
- other physicians who conducted tests and procedures
- consulting physicians chosen by your primary physician to read and interpret test results.
These physicians may include specialists in anesthesiology, cardiology, emergency medicine, nuclear medicine, pathology, radiology, or urodynamics. You will be responsible for paying these bills as well as your St. Luke's bill.
If you have questions about these bills, please call the physician's office listed on the billing statement.
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How can I find out whether my insurance has paid my bill from St. Luke's or how much they have paid?
To receive a status report on your account, you are welcome to call St. Luke's Patient Financial Services at 832-355-3081. If you live outside the Houston area, call 800-854-5455.
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I received a notice that my insurance company has paid on my bill -- but I can't understand how they calculated their payment amount. Do you know?
If we have received any such information from your insurance company, we'll be glad to share it with you. However, for answers to any questions about insurance payments, deductibles, or co-payments, you generally need to check with your insurance company.
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I don't understand some of the items on my St. Luke's bill. Can you explain them to me?
A registered nurse on our staff can answer your questions about the many laboratory tests and items on your hospital bill. If you wish, we can have your bill audited against your medical record. If there is a discrepancy, an adjustment will be made to your bill.
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Will St. Luke's accept monthly payments on the portion I owe?
Yes, monthly payments are acceptable, but they must be based on an approved payment plan. We will be glad to discuss the arrangements with you, so that the plan is mutually satisfactory for all involved.
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Does St. Luke's report bad debts to a credit bureau?
No, we will not report any delinquency in payment or bad debt to a credit bureau. Also, we view a collection agency as simply an extension of our office's function. If your account is sent to a collection agency, the agency will continue to work with you to obtain payment for your bill.
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How can I obtain financial assistance to cover my bill?
St. Luke's does have a financial assistance fund, but we must have a referral from your physician before we can approve assistance.
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Does St. Luke's offer cash discounts for prompt payment?
No, there are no such discounts available. We prefer to work with each patient to develop a payment plan that meets our goals.
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