Essentia Health expanded pre-service estimates for scheduled outpatient radiology visits Tuesday, Dec. 15, and will provide an estimated cost of the deductible and out-of-pocket amounts based on a patient’s insurance plan as listed in their medical record.
This estimate considers general deductible and co-insurance amounts for a patient’s insurance, but it is not a guarantee the procedure is a covered benefit by the patient’s specific health insurance plan. Patients will need to verify the service is covered through their insurance plan.
Informing patients of costs upfront helps eliminate unexpected bills and allows patients to understand their options to make health care more affordable. The estimate will also include information about how to work with Essentia Health on payment plans, financial assistance, free Medicaid enrollment or various options to make a payment at the time of service.
This new service is in addition to the price estimate tool that launched through MyHealth/My Chart earlier this year. The price estimate tool within MyHealth/MyChart provides users with estimates for about 300 services.
Patients can still call Essentia’s price estimate hotline for an estimate at 833-430-5663, which is staffed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
