Insurance and Billing

Insurance can be confusing, but we will do everything possible to simplify the process!   Please call the Billing Department with questions at 713-270-4545. We are committed to helping you with any insurance or billing concerns.   Insurance and Billing Information Southwest Nephrology Associates, LLP, participates in most managed care plans. This list changes frequently, so please call our Billing Department for the latest update. If we participate with your plan, we will file a claim to them for the services we provide to you. You are responsible for any co-payment and/or deductible at the time services are rendered.   If we do not participate with your insurance plan, we expect full payment at the time services are provided. Our experience is that this method works best for both parties.  We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.   Insurance Verification   We have an insurance verification department that verifies your eligibility and benefits to determine your financial responsibility on any particular visit. This allows us to know in advance what your insurance company will pay for services that day and what your share of the charge will be, and  we will collect that amount from you at the time of service. We must advise you that it is ultimately the patient’s responsibility to be aware of coverage for any medical service received. Therefore, we strongly advise that you contact your insurance company prior to your visit to verify that the service for which you are scheduled is covered under your plan.    Billing Inquiries Our practice firmly believes that a good physician/patient relationship is based upon understanding and good communication. If you have any question about our fees, your statement or insurance in general, please feel free to call and discuss these matters with anyone in our Billing Department at 713-270-4545.   We thank you in advance for choosing our physicians as your healthcare provider. We look forward to providing you with the care you deserve.   To Request Medical Records If you need to a request for release of medical records, please download The Medical Release Form. We will share your medical records with another healthcare provider at no charge. There is a 25.00 fee for a copy of your records released to you. Complete, print and sign the form; then, fax or mail to the main office at 713-270-9197. If you have any questions please feel free to call medical records at 713-270-4545,Option # 5   AUTHORIZATION TO DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION   7777 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074   FAX 713 270-9197

We will protect Your Privacy The physicians and staff of Southwest Nephrology Associates, LLP, have always protected the confidentiality of health information. Today, state and federal laws also attempt to ensure the confidentiality of this sensitive information.   The federal government recently published regulations designed to protect the privacy of your health information. This "Privacy Rule" protects health information that is maintained by physicians, hospitals, other health providers and health plans. As of April 14, 2003, Southwest Nephrology Associates, LLP has complied with the privacy rule's standards for protecting the confidentiality of your health information.   This regulation virtually protects all patients regardless of where they live or where they receive their healthcare. Every time you see a physician or are admitted to the hospital, fill a prescription or send a claim to a health plan, your physician, the hospital and health plan will need to consider the privacy rule. All health information including paper records, oral communications, and electronic formats such as e-mail are also protected by the privacy rule.   Please let us know if you have any questions about The Notice of Privacy Practice. You may contact our office at 713 270-4545 to discuss any questions you may have.