​Rheumatology Associates of Baltimore (RAB) is committed to providing quality healthcare in a cost effective and ethical manner.  To that end, RAB has formalized policies for the practice and our patients surrounding financial processes. 

 

• It is the policy of RAB that patient responsibility, in the form of copay, co-insurance, or account balance, is collected at the time of service.  For patient convenience, we accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards, as well as cash and checks and health savings account payments. 

 

• Our Physicians and Nurse Practitioners are participating providers with Medicare and most major insurance plans.  As such, we will file all claims with insurance carriers directly, but require collection of co-pays and account balances at the time of the visit.

 

• For certain procedures and services, RAB provides estimates of patient financial responsibility prior to initiation of the treatment. 

 

• If a patient has a question or concern surrounding out-of-pocket costs, we encourage communication with our billing staff for assistance options and or payment plans.

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You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

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• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
   

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
   

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
   

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

 

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

 

Co-Pays and Point of Service Collections

Our front office is required to collect co-pays and request payment for outstanding account balances at the point of service. If an outstanding balance is greater than $100, patients are required to pay a minimum of 50% of the balance due unless prior arrangements have been made with the billing office. 

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If a patient arrives for their visit unprepared to pay the outstanding amount, the patient must speak with a representative from the billing staff.

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To avoid third-party collection agency involvement, we encourage patients to communicate any financial difficulties to our billing staff.

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