Sarah has insurance just in case. Suddenly, the moment arises and she’s in need of urgent care. Her primary doctor is unavailable so after calling her insurance, she finds a hospital ER in network and receives the care she needs.

Months later, two bills arrive. One is from the out-of-network radiologist who read her X-rays and the other is from the ER doctor who saw her and was also out-of-network (even though the facility itself on her insurance). The surprise bills calculate to just over $1,000. But how is that possible? How is she going to afford such a last minute expense? She called her insurance, she paid a copay, she did everything right.

Like Sarah, 22 percent of patients visiting in-network hospitals actually receive an out-of-network service during the visit; proof, that even when you think you know your health care policy, you can be tricked.

Despite being unfair, this issue is so frequent that one in five patients visiting the emergency room will face surprise bills ranging from $900 — $19,000.

Specialists like radiologists, anesthesiologists and physicians who are employed by hospitals, negotiate separately with insurers. When negotiations fail, patients receive the balance unpaid by the insurance and owed to the doctor. Caught in the crossfire, a patient visiting an in-network hospital, may receive care from an out-of-network doctor they had no choice in seeing.

In comparison to an emergency room visit, Next Level Urgent Care has no surprises. With or without insurance, the co-pay or quote you are given is the bill you receive. There are no out-of-network doctors at Next Level. Next Level Urgent Care offers you transparency in our pricing so patients can know what they will owe.

We offer a cash payment discount for those who have a high deductible or no insurance, ensuring you receive quality care at an affordable price. This option results in a low out-of-pocket cost in comparison to what the same service might cost even at a fully in-network emergency room.

The average cost per visit is below $200. Next Level accepts major insurance companies including: Community Health Choice, Cigna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Tricare, Aetna, Medicare, United Health Care, Humana, and others.

Open after most primary doctors have closed, Next Level is open 363 days a year. This Holiday Season we are closed for our staff to celebrate with their families on Christmas Day, otherwise you can visit us 7 days a week from 9am until 9pm.

Sources:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/patients-may-still-get-a-surprise-bill-after-an-in-network-er-visit-study-finds-1479333600 

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/upshot/first-comes-the-emergency-then-comes-the-surprise-out-of-network-bill.html?mwrsm=Email&_r=0