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At Ballard Neighborhood Doctors we believe in providing the same high quality of care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. We accept private and state insurance and Medicare, and have a sliding scale for those to whom it is helpful.

INSURANCE & PAYMENTS

Insurance: 

 

We take insurance in order to best serve our patients. Most independent practices have chosen to be cash only due to the increasing difficulties in working with insurers. We continue to accept most major insurers including Medicare and Medicaid.

  • Private Insurance: We can not accept new patients with Cigna and Aetna insurance. We are contracted with all other major insurers. However, insurance companies have many different plans, and we may not be in-network for your particular plan. We ask our patients to be responsible for understanding their coverage and ensuring that both our providers are in-network with their plan. 

  • If you have Apple Health, we work only with Molina Apple Health. If you have a different type of Apple Health, you can call and asked to be switched to Molina. 

  • We are currently full for Molina Apple Health patients. If you have been assigned to Dr Weakland please contact 45th Street Clinic at 206 633 3350. You are also welcome to check back with us in a few weeks.

  • Medicare: We accept regular Medicare (our preference) as well as Regence Medicare Advantage and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.

  • If you have Medicare, read "Options if both providers are not in-network" below. Consider if this is the right fit for you as Dr Bell can not bill Medicare. 

For New Patients or New Insurance:

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Due to our small size, we ask our patients to check with their own insurance to ensure both doctors are in-network providers on their plan. 

Annual Membership fee:
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  • We collect an annual fee to offset our mission to provide care to all regardless of one's insurance or ability to pay.

  • Payment is collected twice a year: Jan/Feb and July/August.

  • The fee is $100/person or $150/one adult and children.

  • Many choose to be supporting members: $200/person or $250/adult and child.

  • Your first collection is AFTER your first visit.

  • This is an automatic deduction from your credit card on file during the months stated.

  • You will continue to use your insurance for your appointments.

  • Those on state insurance will not be asked to participate.

  • The fee helps offset our desire to remain open to all patients with state Medicaid insurance and continue our personal financial support when a patient can not pay.

  • The membership fee is intended to help us remain vibrant and to continue to provide personalized care to you. 

  • If the membership fee prevents you from being our patient, please contact us. 

General Insurance Questions:

 

If you've already contacted your insurance and are still confused, or have general insurance questions, please contact us at billing@ballarddocs.com. Our office manager is available to help you understand the complexities of insurance.

If a provider is not in-network (Medicare, other particular plans):

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  • If one provider is not covered by your insurance, you pay out of pocket for same day or same week urgent care appointments that require you to see the non in-network provider. For these urgent visits, it is at the discretion of Ballard Neighborhood Doctors which provider sees you. 

  • If you have Medicare this applies to you as Dr Bell can not bill Medicare. 

  • If neither provider is covered, you pay out of pocket for your visits.

  • Even if we are contracted with your insurer, it is your responsibility to check your particular plan regarding coverage of both providers. Some plans will not cover one or the other of our providers given they are ND/ MD. If you are seen and your insurance does not cover the visit, the bill becomes your responsibility.

  • Labs, radiology, and specialists are typically still covered under your insurance.

  • For out of pocket payments, we offer a 10% time of service discount, as well as a sliding pay scale for those that need it. 

  • Please email for typical fees if helpful to you.

How to Pay: 

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  • After your appointment, you will receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurer. It will show you what they paid and what is your responsibility to pay.

  • We require all patients to have a credit card on file with us. Once the EOB is received, you will get an emailed invoice from us with the balance owed (including any copays). This will also be posted in your patient portal and payments can be done there. 

  • Any open balances left unpaid one month after invoicing will be charged to your card on file. 

  • Your card on file will also be used for our annual membership fee starting in 2021.

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