Dear Patient,
Thank you for choosing the MEDICAL VOICE CENTER (German Voice Clinic) for your healthcare needs.
We appreciate the confidence you have placed in us.
The purpose of this letter is to address common questions related to insurance, billing and financial assistance for our services. The MEDICAL VOICE CENTER promises to make the billing process as easy as possible. We want to make sure you receive the full benefits of your insurance coverage and consideration under our financial assistance. Please let us know if we can answer additional questions to help make the financial side of your experience with us as easy as possible, so you can focus on your health and wellness.
Many insurance plans require prior authorization, sometimes called pre-certification, for services such as outpatient treatment. Most insurance companies require patients to pay a portion of the doctor’s visit or hospitalization costs. This is called a co-payment or a deductible, and these payments are generally calculated before your appointment or procedure. If these issues are not solved beforehand, we may have to reschedule your appointment.
According to the German medical system for international patients, only medical procedures that were performed can be invoiced for reimbursement. Usually, there is no flat-rate tariff for diagnosis or therapy in this kind of ambulatory medical treatment. However, when mutually wanted, there is a possibility to agree upon a fixed price. The cost estimate would then be arranged beforehand.
You might want to consider to submit this letter, including a cost estimate, to your insurance company before coming to us, so that you are informed about third party coverage.
When you receive care at our institution, you will receive one billing statement for our services. This bill will include charges for medical or technical services, supplies and equipment as well as physician clinical professionals, treatment and procedures. However, there is one exception. If you receive care from an independent physician who is affiliated, but not part of the MEDICAL VOICE CENTER, you will receive a separate bill for these services.
You have several options for payment. You can pay cash, or choose among all major credit cards. Sorry that we do not accept electronic bills or money orders. There is also no possibility to pay your bill online.
In case your visit at the MEDICAL VOICE CENTER was organized by the International Office of the University Medical Center of Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), there will be a facility charge from the UKE. Please ask at the International Office for further assistance and information. At the MEDICAL VOICE CENTER, we are sorry that we cannot provide an interpreter. However, if your visit at our institution was organized by the International Office of the UKE, there is a special service for international patients providing interpreters to assist with communication in many languages.
Within the European Community, many hospitals provide international services which regulate coverage of medical costs, either by their national insurance companies, or by others. They use the so-called S 2 form. Unfortunately, as an ambulatory service, the MEDICAL VOICE CENTER is not included in this program. Therefore, international patients cannot take advantage of the S 2 form service.
If you have questions about any of the information of this letter, your bill or financial assistance, please contact us. We will be happy to assist you.
Sincerely.
