• Pharmaceutical Coverage
• Select topic to find out more Select Item precertification Financial Information Professional Charges Insurance Claims Co-Insurance HMOs and PPOs Medicare Medicaid Payment Options

Precertification
Many insurance plans require a patient be pre-certified (approved) before going to the hospital for procedures or surgery. As part of pre-registration, our staff will coordinate with your physician to meet the requirements of your insurance plan. If you have any questions regarding precertification, contact your insurance company or primary care physician.
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Financial Information
Your bill reflects all of the services you have received during your stay at St. John's Mercy. Charges fall into two categories: a basic daily rate, which includes your room, meals, nursing care, housekeeping, telephone and television, and charges for special services, which include items ordered by your physicians, such as x-rays or laboratory tests.
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Professional Charges
You may receive separate bills for certain tests and treatments for professional services rendered by pathologists, radiologists, cardiologists, anesthesiologists and other specialists. These physicians, who may be needed to diagnose and interpret test results, are required by the government and insurance carriers to bill you separately. Some physician specialists may not participate in your health plan and you may be responsible for part or all of their bills. If you have questions about these bills, please call the specialist's office directly. The telephone number is printed on the statement.
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Insurance Claims
Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. As a courtesy, the Medical Center will submit bills to your insurance company and will assist you in receiving the full benefit of your health insurance plan. You are asked to assign benefits from the insurance company directly to the Medical Center to facilitate billing for the health care services you are receiving.
Please review your health care plan and remember that payment of your bill is your responsibility. The Medical Center has several payment options available to assist you. If there is a question about your health care coverage, a member of the Admitting department will contact you or a member of your family during your stay to obtain the necessary information.
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Co-Insurance
Many insurance plans require the patient to pay a portion of the bill directly to the care provider; this amount is called "Co-Insurance." Your insurance card, presented upon registration, helps the Medical Center to work directly with your insurance company to determine the extent of your coverage and deductible requirements.
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HMOs and PPOs
Health Maintenance Organizations and Preferred Provider Organizations may have special requirements, such as a second surgical opinion or precertification for certain procedures. It is your responsibility to make sure your plan’s requirements have been met. If such requirements are not followed, you may be financially responsible for all or part of the services rendered in the hospital. Some physician specialists may not participate in your health care plan and their services may not be fully covered.
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Medicare
Your Medicare card is presented upon registration to verify eligibility and facilitate processing your Medicare claim. Please note that the Medicare program specifically excludes payment for certain items and services, such as cosmetic surgery, some oral surgery procedures, personal comfort items, hearing evaluations and others. These non-covered charges, as well as deductibles and co-payments, are your personal responsibility.
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Medicaid
Presenting your Medicaid card upon registration helps us to process your patient account effectively because the card contains information for identifying St. John's Mercy as a participant in your healthcare plan.
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Payment Options
Patient balances are due within 15 days after you receive your bill.

Here are your options:

• Full payment may be made by cash, Discover, MasterCard or VISA.You may pay your bill online by visiting our secure web site at http://www.stjohnsmercy.org/billing
• Other arrangements may be made by contacting the financial counselor or the Patient Accounting department. During your stay, call extension 6852 to reach the financial counselor's office. From home, call 314-364-4200 or 1-800-833-0799. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.