Billing & Payment Information

The bills patients receive when they receive healthcare are sometime confusing. This information is intended to assist patients and their families as they receive and review bills. For insurance information about specific covered or non-covered services, it is recommended that patients directly contact their insurance carrier.

Allegiance Health will submit insurance claims for our patients, so it is important for patients to keep us informed and updated about all their health insurance coverage. We ask that Medicare patients provide us with information about any supplemental and retirement insurance they may have.

Co-pays and deposits may be paid at the time of services. We will notify patients of any deposit requirement as soon as our office has verified their insurance coverage. For convenience, we accept cash, checks, money orders, as well as VISA and Master Card credit cards. For other payment alternatives, please see the Patient Payment Options section below.

Insurance Participation

Allegiance Health participates with many insurance companies. We will submit claims for all insurances, whether Allegiance Health does or does not participate with the plan. However, it is the patient’s responsibility to provide complete and timely information so that claims may be accurately prepared and sent to the right address.

The list below identifies major plans with which Allegiance Health contracts, though there are others. If you have a question about a specific insurance, please contact us at (517) 788-4920 or check directly with your insurance carrier.

Medicare as a Secondary Insurance

Medicare will not cover you as your primary insurance if:

  • You or your spouse is still working and is covered by an employee group health plan
  • Your were involved in an automobile accident
  • You were injured and some other party may be liable for the injury. This includes Workers’ Compensation claims for Medicare insured persons who are still working.

In these cases, please provide information regarding the employer group insurance, automobile coverage, or the Workers’ Compensation claim.  A Medicare claim will be submitted for any balance that the primary insurance did not pay.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Allegiance Health will bill supplemental insurance for any amounts that Medicare does not pay. Medicare supplemental and retirement plans may not cover the entire balances after Medicare. Amounts not paid by Medicare or other insurance are the patient’s responsibility.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Each Blue Cross plan has its own coverage provisions. Some plans require that patients obtain prior authorization for treatment. Some plans also require that patients pay deductible and co-insurance amounts. Any unpaid balance after Blue Cross pays will be the patient's responsibility. Patients are asked to contact Blue Cross directly if they feel Blue Cross has made an error in paying their account.

Commercial/Managed Care

Allegiance Health will submit claims for all individual, groups, self-insured, HMO, PPO and Champus policies.

It is the patient's responsibility to obtain prior authorization for service if it is a requirement of their policy. Patients are also responsible for checking with their insurance company or employer to obtain and complete any required forms. Any deductibles, co-payments and non-covered charges are the patient's responsibility. Payment of these balances will be subject to the Patient Payment Options (link) section below.

Auto Accidents

When receiving care for an injury related to a motor vehicle accident, patients will need to provide Allegiance Health with their auto insurance information as well as their health insurance. Patients are responsible for filing an accident claim with their auto insurance anytime they are injured as the result of a motor vehicle accident. As a No Fault state, Michigan residents are each covered by their own auto insurance, without regard for who may be liable in an accident. Any non-covered charges are the patient's responsibility. Payment of these balances will be subject to the Patient Payment Options (link) section below.

Workers’ Compensation

For patients who were injured at work, a claim will be sent directly to the patient's employer or their employer's Worker's Compensation carrier. It is the patient's responsibility to make sure that their employer completes an accident claim and the appropriate Worker's Compensation forms. Please provide any group health insurance in addition to information related to a Workers’ Compensation claim. If Workers’ Compensation does not cover care, the group health plan may and will be billed on the patient’s behalf.

If your Workers ‘Compensation claim is disputed, please notify Allegiance Health promptly.

Medicaid/Medicaid Managed Care

For patients who have active Medicaid coverage, Allegiance Health will bill the Medicaid program. However, if there is other insurance coverage, Medicaid will not pay until the other insurance has paid or denied payment. This includes automobile insurance for injuries related to a motor vehicle accident. Patients covered by Medicaid are responsible for keeping Allegiance Health informed about other insurance coverage.

Allegiance Health has a number of resources to assist uninsured patients with applications for Medicaid or other assistance that may be available to help with medical expenses:

  • For patients in the hospital now call (517) 788-4973
  • For patients planning care in the future call (517) 788-4973
  • For patients who have already received care call (517) 788-4920

For patients who are denied Medicaid coverage, Allegiance Health may refer the patient for assistance in appealing the denial and/or may be able to offer other assistance. To access help when denied by Medicaid, please call (517) 788-4920.

What If the Insurance Company Does Not Pay Promptly?

Insurers should make payment within 30 days of receiving a claim unless there is an agreement with Allegiance Health to pay within a longer time frame. If an insurance company does not respond promptly to a claim, patients may receive billings and become responsible for payment.

Patient Payment Options

For patients who do not have insurance or for those who owe a balance after insurance has paid, the following is information regarding your options for payment and how to seek assistance through Allegiance Health.

Allegiance Health recognizes that medical bills can be unexpected and large expenses for our patients. We offer a number of options for how to resolve balances you are responsible for paying:

  • If full payment cannot be made at the time or service or at the time of the first patient billing, you may make a payment arrangement on an interest free basis with us. Terms will be set up so that payment in full is in place within a 6 to 12 month period. The minimum monthly payment accepted is $50.00 under this option.
  • If you are unable to pay your balance under a 6 to 12 month plan, you may apply for interest free payment terms that take your household size and resources into consideration.

If you would like assistance in establishing payment for Allegiance Health services, please use the following contact information:

  • For patients in the hospital now call (517) 788-4973
  • For patients planning care in the future call (517) 788-4973
  • For patients who have already received care call (517) 788-4920

Returned Check Policy

A service fee of $25 will be assessed for all returned/refused checks. Please direct questions to (517) 788-4920.

Financial Assistance Program

Recognizing its charitable mission, it is the policy of the Allegiance Health to waive and or discount balances due from patients who do not have the ability to pay for necessary health care. Allegiance Health offers full and partial discounts to our patients based upon their income and assets. The following requirements apply to receive financial assistance sponsored by Allegiance Health:

  • Patient and/or representative submits a complete application
  • Patient and/or representative supplies requested documentation of income and asset
  • Patient and/or representative submit annual update application and documentation. Application will be processed using current year standards and any indicated changes in discounting or payment terms will be implemented. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a cancellation of monthly payment terms and a demand for payment in full. Discounts originally granted in the first year will not be reversed.
  • Services for which discounting is being requested are not eligible for third party reimbursement, including Medicaid or other state/community programs.
  • The patient/family has complied with any appropriate application and/or appeal for Medicaid or other program eligibility. The hospital provides assistance with Medicaid applications and appeals.
  • If Medicaid eligibility is denied because an otherwise eligible and able person (or representative) fails to comply with the Medicaid application and eligibility determination, Allegiance Health may elect not to extend any discount.
  • Patient must reside in the organization’s service area.
  • Household income is at a level that qualifies for discounting.
  • Household assets do not exceed the guidelines. Certain valuables will not be considered assets under this policy. Excluded are automobile, cash on hand at the levels defined per household size, and homestead property.
  • When household assets exceed program limits and a program applicant liquidates and reduces assets to a program eligible level by applying excess assets against the hospital or its entities’ balance for the patient, the income based discount will be applied to the patient’s remaining balances.
  • Balances after discounting will be set up for minimal monthly payments. Failure to make regular monthly payment can result in placement of the remaining balance with a full service collection agency.