Box Butte General Hospital Enhances Patient Transparency with Upfront Cost Estimates
Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) is reintroducing its upfront collections process to provide patients with clearer information about their healthcare costs before and at the time of their appointments. As insurance plans continue to shift more financial responsibility to patients through higher deductibles and cost-sharing, BBGH is committed to discussing estimated out-of-pocket costs earlier in the care process.
Patients will receive cost estimates based on their insurance benefits and will be asked to pay a portion of the estimated amount at the time of service. Payment in full will not be required, and patients who need assistance may set up payment plans or explore financial assistance options.
“This change is about transparency and respect for our patients,” said Kim Morrow, Chief Financial Officer. “We want to reduce surprises and make it easier for families to plan for their care.”
The hospital emphasizes that emergency care will never be delayed due to financial concerns.
Patients who are insured through Medicare, private insurance, or who are uninsured will receive estimates of their expected care costs. Appointment reminders and confirmation calls will include information about anticipated copays or coinsurance. To allow time for this process, patients are asked to arrive a few minutes early for their appointments.
Upfront Payments by Service
The following services have a fixed payment due at the time of each visit:
- Wound Care: $40 per visit
- Multispecialty Clinic Visits: $40 per visit
- Rehabilitation Services: Copay or coinsurance determined per visit by the prior authorization department
- Diabetic Education: $40 per visit
- GNMSS Clinic: Copay or coinsurance determined during eligibility verification
A Financial Counselor is available to help patients understand their options and navigate payment plans or assistance programs.
Your care remains our top priority. Patients with questions or concerns are encouraged to speak with our team. To learn more, call 761-1020 or 761-3410 or visit bbgh.org to explore Patient Financial Resources, including price transparency tools and the online cost estimator.