Payment and insurance
Where the prices are#
Fill this in: where the current fee list lives, how often it is reviewed, and whether an estimate is given before treatment starts. A written estimate before anything begins should be standard; say that it is.
What you are charged for#
| Item | When it is charged |
|---|---|
| Consultation or examination | Fill this in |
| Images or tests | Fill this in |
| Treatment | Fill this in |
| Medicines dispensed | Fill this in |
| Follow-up appointment | Fill this in |
| Missed appointment | Fill this in, including the notice required |
When you pay#
Fill this in: whether payment is taken at the appointment, invoiced afterwards, or split across a plan. Name the payment methods you accept and whether a deposit is required for longer treatments.
Insurance#
Do you deal with my insurer directly?
Fill this in: which insurers you bill directly, and which ones the patient pays first and claims back from.
What do I need to bring?
Fill this in: policy number, pre-authorisation, a referral, a claim form. Say what has to be arranged BEFORE the appointment, because that is the part that cannot be fixed afterwards.
What if the claim is refused?
Fill this in: who is responsible for the balance and what help you can give with an appeal. Answer it before it happens; this conversation is much worse when it starts with a refusal letter.
Am I covered for this treatment?
Your insurer decides that, not us. We can tell you what the treatment is and what it costs, and we will give you whatever the insurer needs in writing.
Estimates#
Fill this in: whether an estimate is written, how long it is valid, and what happens if the treatment turns out to need more than expected. The last part is the whole reason estimates cause arguments.
If a treatment changes while it is underway, we stop and tell you what that means for the cost before continuing, except where stopping would be unsafe. You should never learn about a change in price from the bill.
Payment plans#
Fill this in: whether you offer one, who provides it, what it costs in total compared with paying at once, and what happens if a payment is missed.
If you cannot pay#
Tell us before the appointment rather than after. There is usually something that can be arranged, and there is never anything that can be arranged once a debt has been passed on.