Frequently Asked Billing Questions

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked billing questions.

For more information, please call customer service or patient account services at the hospital where you are receiving care:

  • Rush University Medical Center: Customer service, (312) 942-5967
  • Rush Copley Medical Center: Patient account services, (630) 978-4990
  • Rush Oak Park Hospital: Customer service, (312) 942-5967

What information do I need to know before paying my hospital bills?

When making medical payment decisions, make sure you know the following:

  • The total costs
  • What your insurance will cover
  • What you will have to pay out of pocket
  • What method of payment the hospital accepts
  • If you or your hospital physician's office staff will be completing insurance forms

This information will be useful when processing payments for your hospital bill.

What is a deductible? What is a co-payment? And how do they affect my hospital bill?

A deductible is the initial amount of "covered" health costs that you pay before your insurance plan begins reimbursement. A deductible is usually a set dollar amount, such as $250 or $500.

A co-payment is the portion of your health care expenses not covered by insurance. A co-payment is usually a percentage figure, like 10% or 20%.

For example, on a $500 bill, your deductible might be $150, so you would have to pay the first $150. This leaves a balance of $350. Of that $350, your co-payment might be 20%, meaning that you will have to pay an additional $70. Your insurance company will pay the remaining $280.

Once you have this information, there are a number of ways to pay your bill.

If your insurance pays all but a deductible or co-payment, you will be required to pay an estimate of your portion of the bill at the time of service.

  • The hospital will file the claim for you. After insurance has made payment, you will receive a bill asking for payment on the balance using cash, check or credit card.
  • In certain circumstances, you will be able to make monthly payments to the hospital until your bill is paid in full. You should discuss this with our Patient Accounts Department at the hospital where you received care.

Make sure that you understand what the hospital requires and what payment options you have.

Who is responsible for paying my bill?

The hospital will bill your insurance company directly — unless you specify otherwise — and you are ultimately responsible for making certain that your bill is paid.

If a balance remains after your insurance has issued a payment or a denial, payment is due immediately upon receipt of your statement.

What other bills will I receive?

In addition to your bill from the hospital, you may receive bills from other physicians who may have provided services to you.

For instance, you may receive bills from consulting physicians, radiologists or other specialists. Please contact their office directly if you have questions concerning their bills.

What happens after I am seen by the doctor?

For each service ordered by a physician, a charge is processed by the staff/department providing the service. These charges are placed on your account. You will have a unique account number for every outpatient visit. After all charges have been placed on your account, the account or claim is prepared to be sent to your insurance company for payment.

Medical Records will review all treating physician notes and all test results to ensure that the diagnosis assigned to you by your physician, or the reason that you are here, is fully supporting all tests and therapies ordered. After Medical Records has finished reviewing your account, the account is finalized and sent to the Business Office for billing to your insurance company.

We bill your insurance company using the information given to us by you at time of registration. This is why it is so important that we have accurate information at the time of registration.

After your insurance company has paid, they will send both you and the hospital an explanation of benefits (EOB). This tells how they paid and what they paid for. The EOB sent to the hospital also states how much, if any, of your bill you will be responsible to pay.

After the hospital has determined any additional amount owed by the patient, we send out a statement. This will tell you that we have billed your insurance, how much they have paid, and how much you owe.

You may pay by check, cash or credit card. You may pay over the phone, in person, by mail or online through MyChart. This payment is then posted to your account.

What if I have insurance and cannot afford to pay my portion of the bill?

The hospital offers payment plans that can be set to meet your budget. You may also qualify for hospital assistance if you still cannot afford to meet your financial obligations. In certain circumstances, you will be able to make monthly payments to the hospital until your bill is paid in full. For more information, please call customer service or patient account services department where you're receiving care:

  • Rush University Medical Center: Customer service, (312) 942-5967
  • Rush Copley Medical Center: Patient account services, (630) 978-4990
  • Rush Oak Park Hospital: Customer service, (312) 942-5967

What if I do not have any insurance?

If you do not have any insurance, we offer a discount. If you cannot pay your bill at time of service, the hospital offers an interest-free payment plan. We can offer assistance in applying for state public aid, or you may qualify for our hospital assistance program if you do not qualify for public aid but cannot afford to pay your bill.

Why did I receive a letter from a collection agency?

We determine the portion of your bill for which you are personally responsible after receiving payment or denial of payment from your insurance company. After that, we make several attempts to contact you to let you know the amount that you owe for services.

If we have not heard from you or received payment after repeated attempts to contact you, you may receive notice from a collection agency. If you are having trouble paying your bill, please contact customer service or patient account services department where you're receiving care:

  • Rush University Medical Center: Customer service, (312) 942-5967
  • Rush Copley Medical Center: Patient Account Services, (630) 978-4990
  • Rush Oak Park Hospital: Customer service, (312) 942-5967