Lower Umpqua Hospital Financial Services
Lower Umpqua Hospital ensures that all patients receive high-quality care in an environment free from discrimination and abuse. We provide most services to our patients without regard to their ability to pay. We understand that medical billings can be complex and difficult to read. Our patient account representatives are available to help explain your bill, answer billing or insurance questions arrange payment options and provide financial assistance applications.
Hospital Pricing
Lower Umpqua Hospital has published its chargemaster to comply with new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rules, which went into effect on January 1, 2019, requiring all hospitals in the United States to publish their standard list of charges.
A new Price Transparency tool is in development and will be coming soon. This will also comply with the new rules from CMS.
A chargemaster is a comprehensive list of charges for each inpatient and outpatient service or item provided by a hospital.
Key Considerations
It’s important to note, a chargemaster reflects standard charges billed to payors, whether commercial, government, or self-pay – not your out-of-pocket costs. This is because your out-of-pocket costs are ultimately based on your:
- Individual health plan benefits
- Medical situation
- Unique treatment plan
We are committed to providing price information to our patients. Lower Umpqua Hospital provides individualized cost estimates for all services, upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the charges listed reflect what my out-of-pocket costs will be?
Because your out-of-pocket costs are based on your individual health plan benefits, medical situation, treatment plan and financial situation, the chargemaster is not a useful tool for estimating your out-of-pocket costs.
How are charges determined?
Charges are determined by what it costs Lower Umpqua Hospital to provide the service, local market conditions, payor and regulatory requirements, as well as the costs to operate the hospital.
Why do charges vary from hospital to hospital?
Each hospital system has its own chargemaster with its own unique pricing. Charges may vary between health systems and hospitals – even within the same local markets – because each has its own factors that influence pricing including staffing, equipment and maintenance costs.
Moreover, hospital systems may structure their charges differently, so it isn’t always possible to make a direct price comparison based on chargemasters.
About Your Bill
Although we may submit bills to your insurance company on your behalf, please remember that your policy is a contract between your insurance company and you. You are ultimately responsible for payment of your bill. It is our goal to streamline that experience for you.
Questions about separate bills from providers you did not see in person while being treated by Lower Umpqua Hospital (pathologists, radiologists, etc.) should be directed to the contact information printed on the statement you receive from them. These providers are required to submit separate bills.
Avoiding Surprises in Your Medical Bill: A Guide for Consumers is available here.
Contact us during business hours, Monday through Friday at 541-271-2171 (7:30 am – 4:00 pm)
For Clinic Billing Inquiries please select the option with the first letter of your last name:
Phone: 541-271-2171
A – K extension 3640
L – Z extension 3960
For Hospital Billing Inquiries please select the option with the first letter of your last name:
Phone: 541-271-2171
A – D Extension 3010
E – L Extension 3160
M – R Extension 3530
S – Z Extension 3050
Self Pay and Financial Assistance – please call 541-271-6384
Paying your bill:
Our patient account representative is available to assist you, Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Payments of bills may be made during normal business hours at the Lower Umpqua Hospital main entrance, located in the old Gift Shop. You may also make payments online 24 hours per day, seven days per week through our Online Portal.
What about payment arrangements?
For information about payment arrangements, 541-271-6384
Financial Assistance:
Lower Umpqua Hospital provides most services to our community without regard to an individual’s ability to pay. We realize medical expenses are often unplanned and that unexpected bills may be difficult to pay. It is our goal to work with you to find a solution that works for everyone.
What are the first steps?
If paying your Lower Umpqua Hospital bill creates a financial hardship, it is important to contact the Business Office right away so that we can discuss options that may be open to you. If you qualify for Financial Assistance, partial or full discounts may be available to you. Click on the following link to access our current Sliding Fee Schedule. Eligibility for assistance is determined through a financial review that includes income level, family size, extenuating circumstances, or other indicators of inability to pay.
How do I request Financial Assistance?
To request an application for financial assistance, or to get help applying for the Oregon Health Plan or other coverage that may be available to you, contact the Financial Counselor at Lower Umpqua Hospital Admitting. Ask that a Financial Assistance Application form be mailed to you.
For a plain language summary of LUHD’s financial policy, please click here.
For more information, call 541-271-6384
If you prefer, you may download the form here and the letter here