Billing FAQs
Lee Health Launches Billing Texts and Payment Options Now Available in MyChart
Lee Health is sending bill-pay text messages, and bills can be paid with Apple or Google Pay through MyChart. Click here for an example of the bill-pay text messages that Lee Health is now sending to our patients. Click here for another example of the text message, highlighting the process for paying the bill via text. Remember, we will never ask for personal information beyond first and last names within these billing text messages.
Patients can update how they receive notifications (emails, texts or MyChart app notifications) or turn them off entirely through the Communication Preferences page in their MyChart account or by working with staff who can help update them.
Lee Health is also now accepting Apple and Google Pay payments through MyChart. These mobile payment options are only accepted through MyChart, not at the hospital or practice terminals at this time.
What is this bill that I received?
After your insurer has processed your bill you will receive a statement for any portion you owe for a Lee Health Physician or Facility balance.
How do I get a copy of an itemized bill?
You can call the Patient Financial Services at 239-424-1500, select option 5 and provide your name, date of birth, account number, and date of service. You will receive the itemized bill at the current address listed on your account within 10 days.
Will Lee Health accept my insurance?
Lee Health accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross, in addition to several other major insurance carriers. Please contact your insurance company or employer for specific contracting guidelines.
Will all my insurance be billed?
Yes. The billing of insurance is a courtesy to you. If we do not receive payment from your insurance company, or companies, within 45 days, we must look to you for payment of the bill in full. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. Communication with your insurance company is highly recommended. For additional information click here.
Does Lee Health accept credit cards?
Yes. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted forms of payment by mail, phone, and via the web site through the on-line payment option.
Who do I contact to update and/or re-bill my insurance?
You will need to call the Patient Financial Services at 239-424-1500 or 800-809-9906. If possible have your insurance card available when you call.
How can I check on the status of my account?
If it has been at least 45 days since the date of discharge, contact your insurance carrier for the status on the claim. After speaking with your insurance carrier, if you still have questions regarding the claim, contact the Patient Financial Services at 239-424-1500 or 800-809-9906 and a Customer Service Representative will assist you.
What should I do if my insurance denies a claim?
If you feel the claim denied in error, contact your insurance carrier for a detailed explanation on the claim. The Patient Financial Services Office will also receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurance company stating the claim was denied. We will reflect this information on your account and a statement will be sent to you requesting payment in full.
How will I know if my hospital bill has been paid?
Your insurance carrier should send you an explanation of benefits (EOB) indicating they have processed the claim. The EOB will also show any payments made to the hospital and the amount that is your responsibility. You will receive a statement from the hospital once all insurances have been processed. This statement will reflect all insurance payments, adjustments, and balance remaining. Any remaining balance is your responsibility.
What if I can't pay my bill?
To set up payment arrangements on your hospital bill you will need to contact the Patient Financial Services as quickly as possible at 239-424-1500 or 800-809-9906 and speak with a Business Service Representative for payment guidelines.
How long do you wait to send unpaid bills to collections?
The soonest we would send an unpaid account to collections is six weeks after a patient receives the first bill. Sending an account to collections is something Lee Health sees as a last resort. We understand that patients may not have the means to pay their bills in full, and our experienced professionals are happy to help you complete the application for financial assistance, or work with you to set up a payment plan that fits your budget.
If you are unable to pay your account in full, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.
How long will it take for my online payment to post to my account?
Online credit card payments can take up to two business days to reflect on your hospital account. Payments posted on a Friday will require additional processing time.
What information do I need to pay my Lee Memorial, HealthPark Medical Center, Cape Coral hospital, or Gulf Coast Medical Center bill online?
To make a payment on your hospital account you will need to have your billing statement available that will provide you with the required patient account number to make an online payment. You will also need to know the patient's date of birth. For your convenience a sample of the billing statement can be found on our web site to help identify where your account number is located on the statement.
I found my hospital account but I can't make a payment?
If you have located your hospital account and pressed the continue button but the page timed out or the page could not be found. Please check your firewall settings on your computer to confirm that it is accepting our web site. Once the firewall settings have been adjusted please re-enter your hospital account information and the on-line payment screens will display.
Can I pay my Lee Memorial Physician bill online?
Yes, we do accept on-line Visa and MasterCard, American Express and Discover payments for Lee Memorial Physician bills. If you would like to pay your bill, please click here or contact the number listed on your statement for assistance.
Can I find out exactly what I will owe before I come to the hospital?
If you have health insurance, we can review your insurance plan with you and tell you the amount of your deductible and the most you could be asked to pay based on your annual out-of-pocket limit. If you do not have health insurance, we can develop an estimate for you. In addition, you may request a written estimate prior to your procedure by going here.
The estimate will include the average cost of the procedure; the amount your insurance provider, Medicare or Medicaid is likely to pay; and the estimated amount you will be expected to pay.
However, please keep in mind this is only an estimate and could vary depending on your overall health and whether additional charges are incurred based on your unique medical needs. It is very difficult to give an exact amount for services before a person visits the hospital because the services a patient receives will vary based on his or her specific health care needs. However, Lee Health makes every effort to provide clear and transparent pricing information to our patients.
Why do small things like pills or bandages cost so much in a hospital?
Lee Health does not charge patients for common over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin or Tylenol. However, as a state-licensed health care provider, we are required to follow certain procedures when distributing medications or other types of supplies. For instance, let's say a patient has had surgery and requires pain medication. The nurse contacts the patient's physician for a prescription. Then, either the physician or nurse must contact the pharmacy. A pharmacy technician will fill the order, and then the pharmacist will approve it. Once the medication has been transported to the patient's unit, it must be distributed to the patient.
Why is health care so expensive?
At Lee Health, we understand the cost of health care can seem overwhelming. It takes an entire team of professionals, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and hundreds of medications and supplies to provide the high quality care that is the hallmark of our service. In addition, our four hospitals must be fully operational 24 hours a day to meet the needs of our community.
Although we are a community-focused nonprofit health system, Lee Health operates without the benefit of local tax support. Therefore, the payments we receive for patient care must be sufficient to keep our facilities operational, pay the salaries of our employees, maintain equipment and purchase supplies. Health care is a rapidly evolving field, and we must also be able to purchase new equipment and treatment options to provide the best care for our patients, in addition to updating our facilities or building new facilities when necessary.
We strive to keep our costs for care as low as possible, and, in fact, we have some of the most competitive costs in the state. We also offer discounts to our uninsured patients and have a team of devoted professionals who can help patients set up payment plans to fit their budgets. Funding a health care system is a complicated process. If you'd like to know exactly the money is spent within Lee Health here, go here.
This procedure may vary somewhat, for example, the medication may be kept in a password-protected cabinet directly on the unit, but the approval process will remain much the same to ensure the safety of our patients. It takes several health care providers, as well as supplies like cups to distribute the medication, to fulfill just one prescription. Our pharmacies fulfill literally hundreds of medication orders each day.
In addition, we must keep hundreds of types of medication on hand in order to meet all the health care needs of our patients. Many of these medications are expensive to purchase, and some are very expensive to store. As a result, the total cost of a patient's medication also includes a fraction of the amount it takes to store and distribute the medication to the patient.
How to file a Billing Grievance
Contact Patient Financial Services at 1-800-809-9906 or (239) 424-1500 Monday-Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.