Sumter Surgical physicians realize that a successful and pleasant Patient-Doctor relationship is based on trust and understanding of all aspects of the relationship. One of these is the financial relationship. To alleviate any misunderstanding or misinformation, we feel it is necessary to allow you to review our financial policies regarding payment for our services. Realizing this is oftentimes an uncomfortable topic for both the patient and physician, we ask that you please discuss any part of the following that you do not understand or any questions you may have.

INSURANCE
You will find a list of the insurance companies on this website with which we are contracted. This means that we are in their network of providers which requires us to reduce our usual charge to the amount required by the insurance company. The only amount you will have to pay is the deductible amount, any co-pays,and co-insurance amounts. These amounts usually are included in your out of pocket expenses. Your out of pocket expenses are payable by you, not your insurance. If we are contracted with your insurance company, and you have a office visit co-pay, your insurance requires that we collect that amount from you at the time of the visit. Your co-pay is an amount your insurance will not pay. We also ask that you pay your deductible or any part of it that you have not paid at the time of your visit.

It is beneficial to you to understand all the terms of your insurance coverage; your insurance coverage has been chosen by you or your employer. Please discuss any concerns about your coverage with your company or your employer if this is a group insurance.

If your insurance requires referral from your primary care physician, you must see the primary care physician before coming to a specialist and have a referral. This is a rule of your insurance company and is your responsibility to obtain.

We must have a copy of your insurance card/s. Failure to provide this to us will result in you being asked to pay your charges in full at the time services are rendered. Please let us know immediately if you have any change in your insurance so that we may have accurate information which will help you.

If we are not contracted with your insurance plan, please discuss this with us.

NON-INSURED PATIENTS
Patients who do not have health insurance are asked to pay charges in full at the time services are rendered.
If you are unable to do so, discuss this with our billing office or our receptionist before your appointment.
You may do this by calling 803-775-4655.

PAYMENT METHODS
We accept MasterCard,Visa, personal checks, money orders,cash. We will also set up payment plans in certain qualifying situations.

SURGERY PATIENTS
Our Financial Counselor will discuss your estimiated surgery charges and expected payment from your insurance company before your surgery. We do ask that all out-of-pocket expenses not yet met by you, be paid prior to your surgery. This includes your deductible and co-insurance. Because higher deductibles in the range of $1000.00 to 5,000.00 are becoming more popular in an effort to lower insurance premiums, it has become necessary to ask that deductibles be paid before the surgery; the surgery fee may be less than your deductible.

You will receive monthly statements showing all charges and payments on your account. Balances not paid may be given to an outside collection agency if our efforts to collect this fail. We will certainly give you ample time to pay your balance and welcome discussing your balance with you at any time.

RETURNED CHECKS FROM BANK
Personal checks returned to us by your bank will generate a $35.00 charge to you.

Please call us with any questions or concerns. You will be asked to sign this statement when you visit our office for your first visit.