We have prepared this information to familiarize you with our registration process and help ensure a smooth and worry-free admission to our hospital on your scheduled arrival day. This information covers all aspects of your visit with us, whether it’s for inpatient, outpatient, or any scheduled service like day surgery, radiology, and therapy.

What to Bring

Please remember to bring current insurance cards and insurance coverage information. If you are being referred by a primary care physician, please check with your doctor to see if you need to bring a referral form as well. Also, we recommend that you bring a minimal amount of personal belongings. You’ll also want to leave any valuables at home. The hospital is not responsible for lost or damaged property.

When to Arrive and Where

Your physician will inform you where and when to arrive.

Referrals

If you are being referred from your primary care physician, please check with your insurance to determine if you need a referral from your primary care physician in order to see a specialty physician at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Insurance Coverage

Upon arrival the registration staff will ask to see your insurance card(s). The hospital’s Credit and Collection policy is as follows:

Pre-Arrival

It is essential for you to know if your insurance or managed care plan requires pre-certification for inpatient and/or outpatient services. If pre-certification is required, please inform your physician prior to your scheduled visit and/or hospital stay so when you arrive at the hospital there will be no delays. If you are admitted via the Emergency Department, the hospital will notify your insurance company of your hospitalization. Please help us protect you from having your insurance claim denied for failure to pre-certify. Also, failure to pre-certify additional days may result in reduced benefits and/or denial of your insurance claim.

Medicare

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin are a participating provider with the Medicare program and therefore accepts assignment of benefits. Medicare patients may be asked to pay known deductibles and co-insurance amounts at the time of service. We will also file your assigned supplemental insurance coverage on behalf of Medicare patients once Medicare has paid and the explanation of benefits is available for supplemental billing. Please present your Medicare card and provide information about supplemental coverage before, or at the time, you register. Please be aware that in accordance with federal regulations, staff will need to re-ask the Medicare secondary questions on each and every hospital visit and/or hospital admission.

Medicaid

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin are a participating provider with the Medicaid program and therefore accepts assignment of Medicaid benefits. Verified Medicaid recipients are eligible for reimbursement according to Medicaid regulations. Medicaid patients are billed directly for charges determined by Medicaid to be ineligible and will be expected to pay those charges and/or contact us for financial evaluation/assistance. Please present your eligibility documentation for the current month before, or at the time you register.

Blue Cross

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin are a participating provider with Blue Cross and therefore accepts assignment of benefits. You may be asked to pay known deductible and co-insurance amounts at the time of service. We will also file assigned secondary insurance coverage on your behalf once payment is received, and we have an explanation of benefits from Blue Cross. Please present your Blue Cross card and provide information about secondary coverage before or at the time you register.

Commercial Insurance

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin accept verified commercial insurance coverage. You may be asked to pay a known deductible and co-insurance amounts at the time of service. We will also file a claim for verified secondary insurance coverage on your behalf after payment is received, and we have an explanation of benefits from your primary payer. Please present your ID card and provide information.

Managed Care Plans (HMO/PPO)

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin participate in many managed care plans and therefore, accepts assignment of benefits. You will be billed for any balance identified by your plan. You will not be billed for disallowed amounts as defined by the terms of our agreement with the managed care plan. If you have verified secondary insurance coverage it will be billed for the full balance remaining after the primary managed care plan pays. Secondary insurance is not subject to the terms of an agreement with another plan. Please present your plan ID card before, or at the time you register.

Private or Self Pay

If you have no third-party coverage you will be asked to pay in full at the time of service for inpatient or outpatient services. A pre-admission deposit will probably be required before services are provided. If you are not able to pay in full at the time of services you will be referred to a financial counselor, who will help you make financial arrangements for all or part of your charges. The financial counselor may refer you to our Social Services Department if you could qualify for some form of government assistance.

Work Related Injuries

We will submit bills on verified open workers’ compensation claims. If we cannot verify the claim, your health insurance will be billed.

Billing

Depending on the services provided, you may receive one or more bill. In addition to the hospital’s bill, you may receive a statement from your Medical College of Wisconsin physician for services you received during your stay at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. Third-party claims will be submitted for assigned coverage as defined previously.

Payment Options

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin provide numerous alternatives for patients to pay outstanding debt. These include, but are not limited to cash, personal check, money order, credit card, short-term payment plan and referral to reputable lending institutions. Our financial counselors are prepared to help you identify the most appropriate payment option for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Delinquent Accounts

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin consistently refer delinquent accounts to outside collection agencies for recovery after a prescribed number of written and verbal contacts with the debtor have not resulted in full payment.