Patient Financial Services/John Dempsey Hospital Billing

Billing Process

Prior to scheduled admissions, our registration staff will seek to verify your insurance coverage and benefits. As insurance coverage varies greatly, it is important for you to understand your coverage and responsibilities.

The Patient Access Department also attempts to contact insurance companies to inform them of admissions, but you or a family member should follow your insurance company's directions about notification and other managed care requirements. If insurance is not available or is inadequate, your admission will be referred to a financial counselor, who will explain your options, set up a payment plan, or help you apply for financial assistance. Financial counselors can also help interpret your insurance coverage. This is particularly important for parents of infants in the Newborn Intensive Care Nurseries.

Insurance Coverage

The patient/guarantor is responsible for knowing your insurance company coverage and what services require prior authorization. You may be responsible for payment of any balances which are denied by your insurance company. Insurance coverage is not always a guarantee of payment.

Bill Payment

John Dempsey Hospital accepts Medicare and Medicaid insurance plans and is in network with most major insurance companies in Connecticut. We will submit your claim for payment and make every effort we can to collect payment from your insurance carrier. Please provide Patient Access with the proper and most current insurance information. John Dempsey Hospital will NOT accept responsibility for collecting your insurance claim or negotiating a settlement on a disputed claim. Insurance coverage is not always a guarantee of payment.

If you need to make payment for any portion of your bill, you can contact us at the numbers provided. We can process your credit card payment over the phone as well. We can immediately submit it for approval and have it processed and we will not store your credit card number, keeping your information secure.

Charity Care

Charity care is a financial assistance program offered by the UConn Health Center which provides a reduced cost rate for medically necessary services incurred by State of Connecticut legal residents whose household income does not exceed 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family unit.

Patients must meet the State of Connecticut definition of “uninsured,” and may need to apply and be denied eligibility for any medical or health care coverage provided under the Connecticut Medicaid program, or not be eligible for coverage under the Medicare or CHAMPUS programs, or any other governmental or privately sponsored health or accident insurance. Patients must furnish proof of income and residence to qualify for charity care.

There are financial counselors available to assist patients with the application procedure for Connecticut Medicaid, as well as the application for charity care. Additionally, UConn Health Center has translation services available through AT&T Language Line Services to assist with this process.

Additional information is provided in the Charity and Uncompensated Care brochure (English, Spanish, Polish) or by calling Financial Counseling at 860-679-4120.

Physician Services

You may also be billed for physician services during your stay. If you have questions about your physician bill, please call University Physicians at 860-679-2689 or to your private physician who is not employed by UConn Health Center.