Case Management staff will work with your doctor to decide the best time and conditions for your discharge. The usual process works as follows:

• Your physician will write a discharge order and probably discuss your release with you.
• Tell your nurses if you need transportation.
• Contact McLaren Pharmacy at 43744 to receive your discharge medications.
• It is important that you follow your discharge instructions carefully, take your prescribed medication, and perform your rehabilitation exercises faithfully. If you have questions after you are home, contact your physician. You may also call your nursing station by dialing 894-3000, and asking for the correct nursing unit.

Billing
What a Hospital Bill Covers
The hospital bill covers the cost of your room, meals, 24-hour nursing care, laboratory work, tests, medication, therapy, and the services of hospital employees. You will receive a separate bill from your physicians for their professional services. If you have questions about these separate bills, please call the number printed on each statement.

The hospital is responsible for submitting bills to your insurance company and will do everything possible to expedite your claim. You should remember that your policy is a contract between you and your insurance company and that you have the final responsibility for payment of your hospital bill.

Coordination of Benefits (COB)
Coordination of Benefits, referred to as COB, is a term used by insurance companies when you are covered under two or more insurance policies. This usually happens when both husband and wife are listed on each other’s insurance policies, or when both parents carry their children on their individual policies, or when there is eligibility under two federal programs.

Uninsured? Bay Regional Medical Center provides a reasonable amount of its medical services free or at a reduced charge to those  individuals who do not have the ability to pay. If you are not able to pay for all or part of your medical care, please contact the Patient Financial Counselor at 989-894-3109.

This also can occur when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and have medical insurance and automobile insurance.

Most insurance companies have COB provisions that determine who is the primary payer when medical expenses are incurred. This  revents duplicate payments. COB priority must be identified at admission in order to comply with insurance guidelines. Your insurance may request a completed COB form before paying a claim and every attempt will be made to notify you if this occurs. The hospital cannot provide this information to your insurance company. You must resolve this issue with your insurance carrier in order for the claim to be paid.

Medicare

Bay Regional Medical Center is an approved Medicare provider. All services billed to Medicare follow federal guidelines and procedures. Medicare has a COB clause. At the time of service, you will be asked to answer questions to help determine the primary insurance carrier paying for your visit. This is referred to as an MSP Questionnaire and is required by federal law. Your assistance in providing accurate information will allow us to bill the correct insurance company.

Medicare deductibles and co-insurance are covered by your secondary insurance. If you do not have secondary insurance, you will be asked to pay these amounts or establish a payment plan. If you are unable to pay these amounts, we will help you determine if you qualify for a state funded program.

Medicaid

We will need a copy of your Medicaid card for the current month. Medicaid has payment limitations on a number of services and items. Medicaid does not pay for the cost of a private room unless medically necessary.