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Financial
There was a time for most of us when life had
no financial considerations. Unfortunately, as adults we have no choice but to plan and budget in every area of life.
And quality health care, especially for cancer, can become a real drain on the resources.
We are committed
to making sure that every suitable candidate who wants to obtain treatment here can do so. While we believe strongly
that dedicated and attentive medical care is a thing of value and that the physician deserves to make a living along
with everyone else, we believe just as strongly in helping out where there's a true need. We also know that every
person, regardless of means, appreciates being treated fairly and knowing what to expect.
We don't receive any
funding from the government or industry, and therefore we must depend on patients' reasonable fees to cover the costs of our
work. We will do several things to make sure the financial aspect of your care is as fair as possible. First,
our fees are set in reference to those recognized as reasonable in our area. Many patients will find that their expenses
here are considerably less than what they've been accustomed to. We're also happy to let you know our best expectation of the cost of your
services in advance. Don't hesitate to ask.
Next, we offer flexibility on your account. Payment for
services is not due until 21 days following each visit (with the exceptions of a preliminary conference, as discussed on the
"Getting Started" page, and international patients). However, if you pay your account sooner we'll offer you
a discount for helping us meet our expenses and simplify our accounting. Accounts paid within ten days of your visit
will receive 5% off, and those paid at the time of your visit by debit card or check will receive an additional 2% off.*
We are happy to accept Visa and Mastercard as well. Many people ask us why we set our fees so low, especially considering the
unusual level of personal attention provided here. Most cancer clinics charge many times what we do, and we have no
doubt that we could easily charge ten or even twenty times as much. The reason we don't is simple. We see
no reason to charge more just because we can. Many families would hardly notice the difference, but for some it could
add to difficult circumstances. We would much rather finish each day knowing that we have been more than fair to every
patient.
What about insurance?
We do not bill insurance companies or other third parties directly nor do we allow them to dictate our fees, and our office
staff cannot serve as your insurance liaison. We provide services directly to you and payment for services is your responsibility.
If you have an insurance carrier who will reimburse some or all of your expenses, as many do, we will be happy to help you
assemble the documents needed to submit a claim. We are also happy to take all reasonable steps to communicate with
your insurance company to provide them needed information to approve your usage of these medicines. However initiating
actions with your carrier is not a responsibility we can take on for you.
What about the costs of medicines and related studies?
Most
of the medicines you'll use in this treatment program are fairly inexpensive but one of them can be much more expensive.
If you have prescription drug insurance coverage, it will usually cover these costs just like any of your other prescriptions
since everything we use is freely available at any pharmacy. (Please note that we cannot predict what your insurance
carrier will do nor can we control them. We will support your claims in every way we reasonably can, but ultimately
your insurance matters are between you and your insurance provider.) The same will probably be true for lab studies
("blood work") and imaging studies which will be necessary from time to time. We also have arrangements with
several outstanding clinical labs in our area which allow us to offer significant discounts to any patients who do not have
insurance to cover these. We may also be able to put you in contact with other agencies that can assist in obtaining
medicines in cases of financial hardship.
What about financial hardship?
We are committed to help.
First, if a church or other IRS-approved charitable organization or place of worship certifies on their letterhead that they
are covering your costs because they have determined that you and/or your family are unable, we will deduct 40% from all your
charges. If this is not an option for you, we are very willing to consider the details of your situation and, when warranted,
apply objective criteria to reduce your costs to an affordable level. If either of these apply to you, don't hesitate
to ask. We'll work with you to go over the details of what you'll need to document and what we can do. In every
case, you can be assured that you'll be afforded discretion and respect, and your treatment will never be different from any
other person. Every patient we see receives the best care we can give. And as noted above, help may be available
with the cost of medicines too.
What if others want to help?
Your family and friends may want to help you
receive care, or you may wish to help someone else. We are happy to offer gift certificates in any amount, and we'll
stretch their value even further for you by appying the prompt payment discounts mentioned above when you redeem them.
We want to make sure you can receive what you need. Please feel free to ask any questions that we haven't
covered here.
*The
prompt payment discount does not apply to the charge for the preliminary conference since payment for that service is due
at the time of service.
We must ask for payment to be made on the day services are provided to our international patients, but we are happy to apply
the prompt payment discount for doing so.
Gift
certificates are paid for in full at the time purchased. A patient redeeming a gift certificate will receive a prompt
payment discount upon its redemption if the gift certificate pays the account in full or is combined with additional payment
to pay the account in full.
The gift certificate bearer will be eligible for a 5% discount if the certificate was paid for by credit card or a 7% discount
if it was paid for by debit card or check.
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