Patient Accounts Services
Thank you for visiting the Patient Accounts Services Webpage!
Quite often people think the most difficult facet of getting quality healthcare is the billing and payment process. North Valley Hospital’s Patient Accounts office staff are friendly and professionally trained to help you to understand your bill or insurance coverage or to set up a payment plan, if necessary.
Our Mission is very important to everyone in the facility. We strive to take care of our community’s health care needs in the most effective, efficient way possible. That includes taking care of the billing needs of the patients we serve.
If you have questions regarding your account we encourage you to talk directly to your Patient Services Representative.
Below is a list of Patient Accounts Representatives that will assist you with your billing needs. The list is categorized by insurance type and the first letter of your last name:
Example: If your insurance is Blue Cross and your name is John Smith
You will contact Rhonda Walenta.
Example 2 If your insurance is Blue Cross and your name is Johnny Appleseed
You will contact Kim Caldwell-Crofford.
Medicare, Medicaid and Premera/Blue Cross Last Names beginning with A – H: Kim Caldwell-Crofford
Kim Caldwell-Crofford is your Patient Services Representative. Kim has worked for North Valley Hospital in the Patient Accounts Department since . She comes to us with great accounting experience. Her direct phone number is (509) 486- and she can be reached Monday through Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. If she is not at her desk, she has Voice Mail so please leave her a message. You can also reach Kim by email ptaccts3@nvhospital.org.
Medicare, Medicaid and Premera/Blue Cross for the Alpha characters I through Z: Rhonda Walenta
Rhonda Walenta is your Patient Services Representative. Rhonda has worked for North Valley Hospital in the Patient Accounts Department since January, 2005. She comes to us with great accounting experience. Her direct phone number is (509) 486-3164 and she can be reached Monday through Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. If she is not at her desk, she has Voice Mail so please leave her a message. You can also reach Rhonda by email ptaccts2@nvhospital.org.
Oroville Family Medical Clinic Billing Services – Insured/Non-Insured Patients
Linda Cook works directly on accounts for patients who are seen in the Oroville Family Medical Clinic. If you have a question regarding your billing for the Oroville Family Medical Clinic she is your Patient Services Representative. Linda has worked for North Valley Hospital since October of 2001. She came to us with a background from a Chiropractic clinic. Her direct phone number is (509) 486-3167. She can be reached between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. If she is not at her desk, she has Voice Mail so please leave her a message and she will get back to you. You can also reach Linda by email ofmcbilling@nvhospital.org.
Any other billing inquiries can always be addressed by Tenise Kessler, our Patient Accounting Manager. Her direct phone number is (509) 486-3134. She can be reached between the hours of 9:00 am –5:00 pm Monday through Friday. If she is not at her desk, she has Voice Mail so please leave her a message and she will get back to you. You can also reach Tenise by email tenisekessler@nvhospital.org.
Financial Counseling
Miriam C. is your Financial Counselor. Miriam has worked for North Valley Hospital in the Accounting Department since March of 1989. This gives her 17+ years of experience. Her direct phone number is (509) 486-3132 and she can be reached Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. If she is not at her desk, she has Voice Mail so please leave her a message and she will get back to you. You can also reach Miriam by email ptaccts1@nvhospital.org.
DSHS/Medicaid for the State of Washington Billing Information
You need to present a current coupon along with any Healthy Options Medical ID card if you are on a managed care plan. We will bill the appropriate claim for you. We require picture ID along with these cards to protect your benefits.
Medicare program Billing Information
We will notify you in writing if the claim is not covered under the Medicare program prior to you receiving the services. Otherwise for all covered care, we will bill Medicare. Medicare requires you to pay a co-pay and a deductible. If you have supplemental insurance we will bill that after Medicare has paid their portion. In some cases where a retiree is still working or their spouse is still working, the Group Health Plan will be the primary payer. In those cases we will bill the group health plan and then bill Medicare for the deductible and co-insurance. If an accident is involved in the illness, a Third Party Liability claim may be primary. Please be prepared to present your Medicare card along with Picture ID at the time of admission to our facility along with any other insurance card that may be responsible for paying the bill.
Private Insurance Billing Information
We are happy to bill most insurance companies. We require a copy of your insurance card at the time of admission both front and back so we can assure we are billing with the correct numbers and to the correct address. We require the card be presented one time each 30 days along with picture ID. We have had many comments regarding the requirement of picture identification; however, it is a request by Medicare to prevent fraud and abuse. Identity theft has even hit our rural areas and since we do not know each and every patient personally, it is important that we protect your benefits by verifying the identity of the person presenting the insurance card to us. We accept assignment on all insurance claims and are also contracted with many insurance companies. We expect payment within 30 days from your insurance company after we have billed them. If they do not respond, you may be responsible for the billing. Billing of non-contracted insurances is a courtesy we are happy to extend to our patients.
NVH will provide the third party insurance company with an itemized billing or at your request your attorney an itemized copy after you have signed the required release. We do not wait for your third party claim to be settled for payment of our bill. You are held responsible for all third party liability billings whenever there is a settlement involved.
Minor Patient Billing Responsibility
We hold the person presenting the minor child to the facility for care responsible for the account; we do not bill ex-spouses for charges incurred. The person presenting the minor will be held responsible for the account.
Prior Authorization for Treatment
Many insurance companies require prior authorization for treatment such as surgery, out patient services and Therapies. We will work with your physician to make sure these referrals and authorizations are in place. However, you should be aware of the need for prior authorizations that are required by your insurance policy. We do not carry account balances over 90 days. If you cannot pay in full within 90 days, we have programs available to help you with your account. Please contact your Patient Services Representative for more information on these programs.
Non-Insured Patients
If you do not have medical insurance coverage, we have a long term payment option through Amalgamated Bank Of Chicago. This program can be applied for through our Financial Counselor, Miriam C.
Charity Care / Reduced Fee Program:
North Valley Hospital has a Charity Care program available to all patients. We use 200% of the Federal guidelines for poverty. If you feel you might qualify for a full discount or a reduction on your account, please contact your Patient Services Representative for an application.
Where can I make payments on my account?
We accept payments by postal mail. We also have convenient drop boxes in the Business Office Building, the Assisted Living Building, the Nursing Home Building, and at the Patient Registration office in the Hospital. We also gladly accept credit card payments over the phone or in the Business Office.
Our mailing address is:
North Valley Hospital
Attn: Billing Department
203 S. Western Ave.
Tonasket, WA 98855
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