Madison Parish Hospital Patient Information Booklet

Admission Procedures

During the registration process, it is important that you give your insurance information as well as facts about yourself, such as your correct address and date of birth. Providing the correct insurance information will help your bills get processed quickly and accurately. Deposits and/or copays are required for all outpatient services. 

General Payment Policies

The Madison Parish Hospital Business Office will file your claims when you provide your insurance information.  Typically a bill is sent to all insurance companies on record within 7 to 10 business days from the date of treatment or discharge from an inpatient stay. Itemized bills will be provided upon request after a signed release of information has been received. Madison Parish Hospital does not bill the patient until all insurances have paid. After your insurance has paid, you will receive an explanation of benefits from your insurance company and a statement from the hospital with any remaining balances. You are responsible for any remaining balances on your account. You are required to start making payments on your account WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS of your discharge date or the date of outpatient services. Madison Parish Hospital current accepts the following forms of payment:

• Cash, Check, or Money Order
• Visa
• MasterCard
• Discover Card
• American Express
• Most Credit Cards
• Interest Free Payment Plans – Contact our Financial Counselor
• Assistance with Applications for Medicaid. You may contact our Medicaid Application Center Representative at 318-574-2374 ext. 223 or 318-651-5623

Prior Authorizations

Most health insurance companies require a prior authorization for certain services or procedures. Examples may include, but are not limited to, inpatient admissions, CT Scans, Ultrasounds, etc.  A prior authorization is a decision by your health insurer or plan that a health care service, treatment plan, prescription drug or durable medical equipment is medically necessary. Your health insurance or plan may require preauthorization for certain services before you receive them, except in an emergency. Preauthorization isn’t a promise your health insurance or plan will cover the cost. You should contact your health insurance company to see what services require prior authorization as these may vary. 

Financial Counselor 

Here at Madison Parish Hospital we have a Patient Financial Counselor who helps assist in handling the financial and insurance aspects of your visit. She assists in setting up payment arrangements to help balance the financial burden of large hospital balances left on your account. Payment arrangements are set up on a monthly basis based on your remaining balance. You may contact her anytime Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:30 at 318-574-2374 ext. 229 or 318-651-5629.

Charity Care

The Madison Parish Hospital Rural Health Clinic serves all patients regardless of ability to pay. Discounts for essential services provided at Madison Parish Hospital and Rural Health Clinic are offered based on family size and family income. If your family income level meets our established sliding fee scale guidelines, you may be eligible for discounted fees. However, you must apply for these reduced fees, furnish proof of income, and qualify. For more information about our Charity Care program please click here. For our Charity Care Application please click here and go to the Charity Care Application link.  

Physician Bills

You may receive multiple bills for the same visit here at Madison Parish Hospital. The reason for this is we do not bill for physician fees. These bills come from different providers depending on the care you received during your stay. These doctors may include contracted doctors who work at our facility or radiologist who read your X-Rays. You may not have seen these doctors, but you will receive a bill from any doctor who helped interpret your test results. 

Emergency Services

As a Medicare participant, Madison Parish Hospital participates in the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Under EMTALA, we are required to screen and treat any emergency medical condition, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. This hospital does participate in the Medicaid program.  An emergency is defined under EMTALA as “a condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in placing the individual’s health [or the health of an unborn child] in serious jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of bodily organs.”1 If you have a medical emergency or are in labor, you have the right to receive, within the capabilities of this hospital’s staff and facilities:

• An appropriate medical screening examination
• Necessary stabilizing treatment (including treatment for an unborn child) 
• If necessary, an appropriate transfer to another facility. 

To read more about EMTALA, please visit http://www.emtala.com/faq.htm 

Your Responsibilities

• Make sure to bring current insurance card(s) and Identification every time you visit the hospital.
• Know your insurance benefits and requirements (Co-Pays, Deductibles, Prior Authorizations, etc.). 
• Make sure Madison Parish Hospital is listed as a participating provider in your insurance plan’s provider book. 
• Make sure required prior authorizations are obtained BEFORE your visit for services. 
• If you have a copay or out-of-pocket expense, payment will be expected at time of service. 
• If you need to set up a payment arrangement to help with your bills, please contact our Financial Counselor.

1 "ACEP - EMTALA." EMTALA //. American College of Emergency Physicians, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016. https://www.acep.org/News-Media-top-banner/EMTALA/