Patient Handbook

Billing Information

Financial Assistance

As a not-for-profit organization, Silver Cross Hospital provides financial assistance to all eligible persons who cannot afford to pay for essential hospital services. We provide this assistance based upon the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines and and we assist in the application for all federal and state assistance programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid and KidCare.

Applications for assistance care available by contacting our Patients Accounts department at (815) 740-7087, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30p.m. or by email at businessoffice@silvercross.org. After hours, leave a message with your contact information and we will send you an application. If at any time you wish to speak directly to a Financial Counselor, please call (815) 740-1100 EXT.7596.

Health Insurance

We will ask for a copy of your insurance card. You will be asked to assign benefits from the insurance company directly to the hospital. If you are a member of a HMO or PPO, your plan may have special requirements, such as a second surgical opinion or pre-certification for certain tests or procedures. It is your responsibility to make sure the requirements of your plan have been met. If your plan's requirements are not followed, you may be responsible for all or part of the services rendered in the hospital.

Medicare

We will need a copy of your Medicare card to verify eligibility and process your Medicare claim. You should be aware that the Medicare program specifically excludes payment for certain items or services, such as cosmetic surgery, personal comfort items, and others. Deductibles and co-payments are the responsibility of the patient.

Medicaid

We will need a copy of your current Medicaid card. Medicaid also has payment limitations on a number of services and items. Medicaid does not pay for the cost of a private room unless medically necessary.

Senior Advantage Program

The free Senior Advantage program helps you take care of the bills and paperwork, so all you need to think about is the exceptional care you'll receive from us. As a member of this free program, you'll receive many privileges including discounts of meals, health education programs, special parking privileges, less paperwork, and assistance with bills for members with Medicare supplemental insurance. To learn more about the free Senior Advantage program, call (815) 740-7091 or visit www.silvercross.org.

Your Hospital Bill

The hospital is responsible for submitting bills to your insurance company and will do everything possible to expedite your claim. But you should remember that your policy is a contract between you and your insurance company and you have the final responsibility for payment of your hospital bill. We have several payment options available to assist you in paying your bill.

Certain tests or treatments in the hospital require a physician's interpretation, a physician you may not have seen in person. There will be bills for professional services rendered by these doctors in diagnosing and interpreting test results while you were a patient. These physicians will submit them to your insurance company or you. Pathologists, radiologists, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, emergency medicine physicians and other specialists perform these services and are required to submit separate bills. If you have any questions about these bills, please call the number on the statement you receive from them.