Insurance and Financial Information

You may be wondering how much your treatment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will cost, and how much of that cost will be paid by your health insurance. Here is some information to help you answer some of these questions.

Who at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will help me understand my insurance benefits?

A Patient Financial Services (PFS) Coordinator can assist you with understanding your insurance benefits. For questions, call PFS at 206-288-1113 or toll free at 800-804-8824 and ask to be transferred to your PFS Coordinator, or schedule an appointment with your PFS Coordinator by contacting your SCCA clinic scheduler.

Important information about our fees

When you receive outpatient care at the SCCA Clinic you will receive two types of bills:

1) Professional services. This charge covers outpatient clinic or inpatient services provided by or under the supervision your physician.

2) Outpatient Clinic services & facility bill. Some examples of these charges are infusions, equipment, supplies and scans. Clinic charges may be greater than the charges for professional services, depending on services provided.
Each of these bills may incur a co-payment, co-insurance or Medicare co-payment responsibility, depending on your insurance coverage for which you will be responsible. The exact dollar amount of the co-payment, co-insurance or Medicare co-payment required for the clinic and physician will depend upon the actual services provided during the visit and the coverage provided by your insurance.  

My Bills - What should I expect? Who can help?

You will receive bills from all of the following entities for SCCA services depending upon where the service is received:

SCCA Outpatient Clinic
When you receive services at the SCCA Clinic, you will receive a clinic “facility bill.” Questions about your SCCA Clinic bill? Call the SCCA Billing Office at 206-288-6226 or toll free at 1-800-304-1763 or email us at: sccabill@seattlecca.org.

University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC or UW Medicine)
When you receive inpatient services from UWMC, you will receive a bill from either the SCCA or UWMC. Questions about your UWMC bill? Call UWMC PFS at 206-598-1950 or toll free at 866-298-2825.  Questions about your SCCA bill? Call the SCCA Billing Office at 206-288-6226 or toll free at 1-800-304-1763.

UW Physicians
After your visit to the SCCA outpatient clinic or your inpatient stay, you will receive a bill from UW Physicians for the professional services provided to you by or under the supervision of the attending physician. Questions about your UW Physicians bill? Call UW Physician at 206-543-8606 (option 2) or toll free at 1-888-234-5467 (option 2).

What is Durable Medical Equipment (DME)?

Your health care professional may provide you with a prescription for pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and/or supplies. These items are considered to be DME. You have the freedom to select the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance or an outside supplier such as your local drug store to supply you with these items.

How can I assist with the billing process?

You can help us bill your insurance company correctly by providing full information to
SCCA Registration and Financial Services department when you register. It is important to inform us of any changes in your address, insurance coverage, employment or the party who will be financially responsible for your bills.

When an insurance claim is pending, you will still receive a bill each month if your account has an unpaid balance. You are responsible for payment of your account within the limits of our credit policy.

What if my insurance carrier requires pre-authorization for a service before it is provided?

We will work with you to obtain pre-authorization from your insurance carrier for  services we provide. However this may not be possible in situations where services are ordered and provided in less than a 48-hour window.

In this case, we recommend that you contact your insurance carrier to obtain pre-authorization. If your insurance company fails to pay due to lack of pre-authorization, you will be financially responsible for payment.

What is the SCCA Credit Policy?

Payments are due within 30 days after you receive your SCCA, UWMC or UWP bill. If you are unable to pay in full, please contact the appropriate billing office to make payment arrangements. It is important to do this soon after receiving your statements until your account is paid in full, regardless of whether or not you have insurance coverage.

Accounts not paid within 60 days will be referred to our collection department.

Do you offer Financial Assistance/Charity Care?

Yes, Charity Care/Financial Assistance is available to those whose income qualifies them. A Financial Counselor (FC) can help you with the applications. The FC can also help you apply for public insurance programs such as Medicaid and Basic Health. These programs may help you with your current and future health care bills. Please ask your scheduler for an appointment with the FC or contact the FC directly at 206-288-1377 (option 3).

How can I pay my bills?

PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH.

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
P.O. Box 34511
Seattle, WA 98124-1511
(Check, Visa, MasterCard, Money Order)

Billing Inquiries: call 206-288-6226, or toll-free 800-304-1763, or email sccabill@seattlecca.org.

UW Medical Center
P.O. Box 50012
Seattle, WA 98105-1012
(Check, Visa, MasterCard, Money Order)

Billing Inquiries: call 206-598-1950, or toll-free 866-298-2825

UW Physicians
P.O. Box 50095
Seattle, WA 98145-5095
(Check, Visa, MasterCard, Money Order, American Express, Discover)

Billing Inquiries: call 206-543-8606 (option 2), or toll-free 888-234-5467 (option 2)

Other Resources

For a list of national and international organizations that may be helpful for those seeking financial assistance for medical expenses, click here.

 

February 2008