Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- I pre-registered online or by telephone. Do I still need to stop in Admitting?
Admitting is responsible to obtain signatures on several forms and provide specific information to patients having a procedure or being admitted to the hospital. When you pre-register, the representative will let you know if you still need to stop in Admitting on the day of your test or procedure.
- I was just at McLaren-Greater Lansing last week. Why do I need to show my insurance card again?
Insurance information has to be verified each time a beneficiary has health care services. Verifying information allows McLaren-Greater Lansing to be compliant with certain rules and regulations, as well as ensuring that a patient is not billed for services that should be covered by insurance.
- I have a standing order for lab service. Do I need to come to admitting each time I come in?
Sometimes when patients have standing order laboratory tests and will be at McLaren-Greater Lansing frequently, we can allow the patient to bypass admitting. The patient will be issued a standing order card that identifies the standing lab order information.
You will need to visit Admitting on your first visit, and at the beginning of each month. The patient is responsible to inform McLaren-Greater Lansing of any demographic or insurance changes. By keeping us informed of changes, we can eliminate costly duplicate claim submissions and unintentional billing the patient for services that should be covered by insurance.
If you have a standing lab order, and want to verify if you are eligible to bypass Admitting, please ask an Admitting representative.
- My insurance coverage has changed since my last visit. What do I need to do?
Insurance information must be verified each time a patient has services. Please have your new insurance information ready when you arrive in Admitting. A representative will make sure the change is completed in our registration system.
- Can you just bill me for my co-insurance or deductible?
Co-insurance and deductibles are due at the time of service. McLaren-Greater Lansing accepts cash, checks, VISA, MasterCard and American Express.
- What if I can’t pay my co-insurance or deductible at the time of service?
If you are unable to pay the entire estimated co-insurance or deductible at the time of service, McLaren-Greater Lansing requests you make a deposit toward your out-of-pocket costs. You will receive a bill for any unpaid balance after services are provided.
- What if I don’t have insurance to cover my medically necessary services?
McLaren-Greater Lansing has options to assist patients without insurance to access medically necessary services. Please click on the following links to obtain additional information.
- Estimates and Payment Arrangements
- Financial Assistance
- How are co-insurance and deductibles determined?
For certain services, a representative from McLaren-Greater Lansing will contact your insurance company via the Internet or by telephone to confirm your insurance eligibility and benefits.
As a health care consumer, we also suggest that the patient or policyholder contact the insurance company to verify that the service is a covered benefit. You can ask how much you have to pay in co-insurance and deductible. Most insurance policies require some cost sharing and have limitations on certain services. The patient is ultimately responsible to know what is covered by their insurance and their benefit limitations.
- Do I need an authorization?
Certain health care services require authorization. If you are enrolled in a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO,) any services provided outside of your primary care physician’s office probably requires authorization. Other types of insurance require authorization for certain services. Please contact your insurance company to verify authorization requirements.
- Who is responsible to obtain an authorization?
A representative from McLaren-Greater Lansing will contact your insurance to verify authorization requirements for certain services.
It is the patient’s responsibility to know the authorization requirements of their policy. Please direct questions to your insurance company.
- Do I have to disclose my Social Security number to McLaren-Greater Lansing?
We are very sensitive to patients’ fear of disclosing specific information, especially Social Security numbers.
Due to recent legislation, insurance companies are changing from Social Security number-based contract numbers to unique identification numbers. Some insurances companies are removing the Social Security number from the insurance card to protect the policyholder’s identity. Insurance companies still require the Social Security number to submit a claim.
If the insurance contract number is still the Social Security number of the policyholder, we do need that information to submit the claim.
If you have questions or concerns about how McLaren-Greater Lansing protects your information, please click here. (Not sure if she’s going to link to the HIPPA statement).
- How do I know if McLaren-Greater Lansing "takes" my insurance?
McLaren-Greater Lansing will submit a claim to any insurance provider if complete the patient provides billing information.
The patient is responsible to know if McLaren-Greater Lansing is In-Network or Out-Of-Network
with the insurance provider.
Many insurance companies provide different levels of benefits depending on network provider status. The patient is responsible to know their in-network and out-of-network benefit levels.
Being in-network does not completely eliminate out-of-pocket costs. The insurance policy may still require the patient to pay co-insurance, deductibles and any non-covered charges. Usually these costs are less if the patient uses an in-network provider.
Please contact your insurance company to verify if McLaren-Greater Lansing is listed as an in-network provider.
- I have Physicians Health Plan (PHP). Why can’t I have my labs performed at McLaren-Greater Lansing?
McLaren-Greater Lansing is a PHP (Physicians Health Plan) participating provider. Most services may be obtained at McLaren-Greater Lansing. PHP has a special clause in their benefits that reduces out-of-pocket costs to policyholders and their dependents, if they use a Sparrow Lab for outpatient laboratory services.
As a health care consumer with PHP, you may have outpatient laboratory services at McLaren-Greater Lansing. You may receive a bill for a portion or all of your lab services. Remember--this is only a specific clause in your PHP benefits.
If you are admitted to McLaren-Greater Lansing, or are having an outpatient procedure or radiology services, you may chose McLaren-Greater Lansing. Your outpatient expenses should be limited to your co-insurance, deductibles and non-covered services.
- I have Medicare, but have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Program. How do I update my insurance at McLaren-Greater Lansing?
Insurance information must be verified each time a patient comes for services. Please have your new insurance information ready when you arrive in Admitting. A representative will make sure the change is completed in our registration system.
- I don’t understand my new Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D benefits. Can you help me?
Medicare beneficiaries are being asked to make several new choices regarding their health care and pharmacy benefits. McLaren-Greater Lansing has information on organizations that help answer questions on Medicare Part D, and the new Medicare Advantage insurance programs.
Brochures are available in Admitting. You may also access the following websites to obtain additional information:
www.mymmap.org (Michigan Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program)
www.medicare.gov (The Official Government Site for People With Medicare)
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