Billing and Insurance

Medical billing can be a complicated process. We’re here to help.

General Information

We are committed to providing you with high-quality healthcare. In order to maintain that commitment, we require payment in a timely manner. The following general information is designed for that purpose.

Payments

We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER and AMERICAN EXPRESS. For your convenience, you may pay your bill online at www.myCRSAL.org, call our business office to pay by phone (651)312-1505, or mail your payment to:

Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

1055 Westgate Drive Suite 190

St. Paul, MN 55114

Finance Charge

A finance charge of 0.667% per month (8% annually) will accrue on accounts 60 days or older.

Private-Pay/Self-Pay Patients

For private-pay patients, we encourage pre-payment using our online payment service www.myCRSAL.org. Otherwise, we ask that you arrive prepared to pay when you check in for your visit. If you are being scheduled for surgery or a procedure, we will determine a prepayment to be received by our business office prior to your surgery date. We are happy to work with you on the remaining balance to arrive at a payment plan that will fit within your budget.

Co-Pays

If your insurance company requires copayment for office visits, it must be paid at the time of service. If you have an outstanding balance on your account, you may be asked to pay that balance when you check in as well.

Statements

We send our patients full-detail statements that include each transaction. When you receive a statement, your balance is due. Because of the nature of medical bills, these statements can be confusing. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have questions.

For your convenience, you may pay your bill online, call our business office to pay by phone (651)312-1505, or mail your payment to:

Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates

1055 Westgate Drive Suite 190

St. Paul, MN 55114

Determining Patient Responsibility

Understanding your policy, co-pays and deductibles is essential for determining your out-of-pocket expense.

Insurance

Insurance Claims

We ask that you provide us with a copy of your insurance card so we can set up the correct billing information. We bill your health plan within a few days of your visit. Health insurance usually pays within 30 days. Occasionally a health plan asks for additional information before paying your claim. In this case insurance processing may be delayed beyond 30 days. After your insurance carrier has processed your claim, you will receive a statement for the remaining patient balance, such as a co-pay or deductible. This statement will include not only your patient balance, but also any invoices still awaiting insurance processing. Payment is due upon receipt of this statement.

Insurance Disputes

We cannot accept responsibility for collecting your insurance reimbursement or negotiating a settlement on a disputed claim. We can provide you with the necessary medical information to assist you.

Insurance Plans

We accept most major insurance plans. Coverage requirements and limitations vary from plan to plan and from time to time. We advise you to contact your insurance company prior to each appointment to inquire if our practice or your physician is a participating provider. We have provided a list of insurances companies we are contracted with.

All providers at Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates are participating providers in the Medicare and Tricare Programs.

This means we accept Medicare and Tricare assignment. You are responsible for any deductible or co-insurance portions.

If your insurance is not listed below please contact your insurance company to inquire if we are participating providers:

Aetna-EC, EPO, NAP and PPO
Americas PPO/NPPN
BCBSMN
BCBS Out-state (local filing only)
CC Systems
Great West
Group Health Co-op of Eau Claire
Health Partners
Humana
Labor Care
Medica
Metropolitan Health Plan –PMAP
Minnesota Care
Minnesota Medical Assistance
Patient Choice
Preferred One
Select Care
Ucare
UHC-Choice Plus Network/PPO

What happens if my physician or Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates is not contracted with my insurance?

We will still bill your insurance as a courtesy to you. You will be financially responsible for any portion of your bill that your insurance does not pay.

Preferred Networks and Care Systems

We ask that you be fully responsible for knowing the specifics of your insurance contract, and that you share any special preferred network or hospital requirements with us. We can then work together to be sure your care is coordinated within the correct network or Care System, thereby giving you the best benefit level possible under your insurance plan.

Insurance Referrals and Prior Authorization

Patients should review and understand their insurance contracts. We strongly recommend that you become familiar with your insurance plan and the extent of the coverage that is available. If you are not familiar with your insurance coverage, we suggest that you discuss your policy with your employer or insurance company before charges are incurred. Of course, our billing experts are here to help you as well. Please be aware that obtaining the necessary prior-authorization, certification, or referral does not guarantee payment.

Referrals Your insurance plan may require a referral or prior-authorization from your primary care physician. It is your responsibility to contact your Primary Care Clinic (PCP) and obtain this referral prior to your appointment. Services rendered without this may not be covered and will be billed to the patient.
Authorizations If your insurance plan requires prior-authorization or pre-certification for services, please inform our staff. In most cases, we are able to assist in obtaining authorization or certification.

Prices and Estimates

As physicians, we share your concern over the increasing costs of medical care. We strive to keep our fees reasonable. Our business office will be happy to provide estimates of anticipated charges. We strive to be as accurate as possible, however it can sometimes be difficult to predetermine exact fees.

The charges for your services will be dependent on the level of service provided by the physician, the type of procedure to be done and/or the number of diagnostic tests that are necessary for a proper diagnosis.

It is important to note that any estimate will be for Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates services** only and will not include any charges incurred at the hospital or outpatient surgical facility (i.e., anesthesia, operating room, supplies and/or radiology charges).

If you would like a price estimate for a visit or procedure, you may view our sample price list below or request an estimate online at www.myCRSAL.org where you can "Ask A Question". Of course, please feel free to call the business office at 651-312-1505 if you would like to speak with someone in person.

**Because we cannot predict the outcome of your examination, we are unable to guarantee the exact dollar amount of your individual visit/procedure.

**Estimates – Sample Price List

	Estimate
New Patient Visit	$97-$475
Established Patient Visit	$97-$331

Office Procedures

	Estimate
Excision Thrombosed Hemorrhoid	$392
Hemorrhoid Banding (Barron Ligation)	$572
Pilonidal Cyst Removal	$380-$602
Condyloma (wart)	$518-$566

Endoscopy – Base Price*

	Estimate
Anoscopy	$188
Proctoscopy	$257
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy	$319
Colonoscopy	$745

*Tissue biopsy, polyp removal, etc. will increase the cost of the procedure.

Common Surgical Procedures

	Estimate
Hemorrhoid(s)	$1,130- $1,313
Fissure Surgery	$551-$814
Fistula Surgery	$1,087- $1,471
Pilonidal Surgery	$1,250- $1,512
Colon Resection - Open	$3,200- $5,400
Colon Resection – Laparoscopic	$2,200 - $5,300

*The above surgery costs do not include pricing for procedures that may require an assistant or second surgeon.

Prices are subject to change. **Because we cannot predict the outcome of your examination, we are unable to guarantee the exact dollar amount of your individual visit/procedure.

Request a Price Estimate Online www.myCRSAL.org

Financial Assistance

We understand that medical bills can pose an unexpected financial burden, and that there are circumstances that may warrant an extended payment plan. If you receive a statement and you are having difficulty paying or are unable to pay, please call (651) 312-1505. We will work with you to find a satisfactory resolution to your situation.

Billing Questions?

Something we haven’t answered? Medical information, including insurance policies, change so rapidly that it is difficult to keep up-to-date and well informed. We’re here to help. Contact our billing experts online at www.myCRSAL.org, or by phone at (651) 312-1505, and we will do our best to help answer your questions.