UHS submits bills on behalf of the patient to insurance companies based on information provided by the patient. Co-payments and deductibles, if applicable, are billed to the patient based on the explanation of benefits received from the insurance company or government payer. UHS does not charge interest on balances remaining after the insurance payment.

Charges for anesthesiologists, radiologists and non-UHS providers providing care at UHS Hospitals are not included in the hospital charges submitted to the insurance company and you will receive a separate bill for those services. Any questions regarding these charges should be directed to the specific office or company.

If you are covered by health insurance, you are strongly encouraged to consult with your health insurer to determine accurate information about your financial responsibility for a particular health care service provided by a non-UHS health care provider. If you are not covered by health insurance, you are strongly encouraged to contact our billing office at (607) 770-0025 to discuss insurance coverage or payment options prior to receiving health care service in Binghamton since these posted health care costs and prices may not reflect the actual amount of your financial responsibility.

Billing Contact Information

UHS Binghamton General Hospital
UHS Wilson Medical Center
UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital
UHS Delaware Valley Hospital 
607-770-0025 or 888-440-3480

Contact us online here

UHS Hospitals makes every effort to assist you with your billing questions. The following page provides a glossary of common billing terms to help you understand your billing statement.

Account Number: A unique number that is assigned to you each time you visit the hospital.

Adjustment: A portion of your hospital bill that is adjusted in accordance with the contract between UHS Hospitals and your insurance company.

Amount Not Covered: The biIl amount that the insurance company will not pay. It may include deductibles, coinsurances, and charges for non-covered services. For example, a non-covered charge could be food trays for visitors, personal grooming supplies, take-home supplies, and private rooms.

Amount Payable by Plan: The amount your insurance plan pays or covers for your treatment, less any deductibles, coinsurance, or charges for non-covered services.

Benefit: The services that are covered under your insurance plan.

COBRA Insurance: Health insurance coverage that you can purchase when you are no longer employed, or awaiting coverage from a new insurance plan to begin. Coverage may be purchased for up to 18 months from your date of separation. It is generally more expensive than insurance provided through the employer but less expensive than insurance purchased as an individual policy.

Coinsurance: The percentage of coverage not covered under your insurance benefits. For example, your policy may cover 80% of charges. Your coinsurance/patient portion would be the remaining 20%.

Co-payment/Co-pay: A set fee established by the insurance company for a specific type of visit. This amount is due from the responsible party. This information can routinely be located on the insurance card and will be different amounts according to the type of visit. For example, Emergency Room Visit - $50, Inpatient Stay - $100, Physician Office Visit - $20. Further information can be obtained by calling your insurance plan.

Date of Service (DOS ): The date(s) when you were provided healthcare services. For an inpatient stay, the dates of service will be the date of your admission through your discharge date. For outpatient services, the date of service will be the date of your visit or the date tests are performed.

Deductible: An amount that must be met on an annual basis that is established by the insurance company and your benefit plan. Call your insurance company for the most up-to-date information regarding your deductible.

Explanation of Benefits (EOB): This is a notice you receive from your insurance company after your claim for healthcare services has been processed. It explains the amounts billed, paid, denied, discounted, not covered, and the amount owed by the patient. The EOB may also communicate information needed by the insured in order to process the claim.

Financial Assistance: Hospital program that qualifies individuals for help with payment of hospital bills based on their financial need.

Guarantor: The person responsible for payment of the bill.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Law enacted in 1996 to establish standards for handling patients’ Protected Health Information (PHI). These standards related to billing, privacy and security.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): An insurance plan that has contracted with providers to provide healthcare services at a discounted rate. These services will require prior pre-certification, authorization, and/or referrals.

Managed Care: An insurance plan that has a contract agreement with hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers.

Medicaid: A state administered, federal and state-funded insurance plan for low-income families who have limited or no insurance.

Medicare: A health insurance program for people age 65 and older, some people with disabilities under age 65, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). For questions concerning the Medicare program, call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213, or call your local Social Security office.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Healthcare coverage for inpatient stays at participating hospitals.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): Healthcare coverage for doctors' services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services that Part A does not cover, such as the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care.

Medigap: Medicare Supplemental Insurance available by private insurance companies that pays for some services not covered by Medicare A or B, including deductible and coinsurance amounts.

New York State Surcharge (NYHCRA): Healthcare tax that may be added to your balance after insurance based on insurance benefits. This is collected by the provider and submitted to the state.

Non-Covered Services: Services not covered under the patient's insurance plan. These charges are the patient's responsibility to pay.

Out-of-Network Provider/Non-Participating Provider: The provider is not part of the insurance plan's network of contracted providers. Generally, services at out-of-network providers are paid for at a lower rate by the insurance plan and at a higher rate by you.

Out-of-Pocket Costs: The amount that you pay until your benefit coverage reaches 100%.

Point-of-Service Plans: An insurance plan that allows you to choose doctors and hospitals without first having to get a referral from your primary care physician.

Pre-Authorization Number: Authorization given by a health plan for a member to obtain services from a healthcare provider. This is commonly required for hospital services.

Pre-Certification Number: A number obtained from your insurance company by doctors and hospitals. This number will represent the agreement by the insurance plan that the service has been approved. This is not a guarantee of payment.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO): An insurance plan that has a contract with providers to provide healthcare services at a discounted rate. These services may require prior pre-certification, authorization, and/or referrals.

Protected Health Information (PHI): Any information that can identify you as an individual and your past, present or future physical or mental health condition.

Referral: Approval or consent by a primary care doctor for a patient to see a certain specialist or receive certain services.

Self Pay:
UHS will provide care without discrimination for emergency medical conditions regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. For all other services, self-pay patients are expected to pay in full prior to receiving service. When possible, we will estimate the required payment when you schedule your service. A prompt pay discount consistent with what is typically paid by insurance is available when paid at time of service.
We have Financial Advocates who can help determine if you qualify for financial assistance and explain our prompt pay discounts. Call 607-770-0025. We will reschedule self-pay patients who are unable to pay prior to a scheduled service and have not made appropriate payment arrangements with our Financial Advocates.

Subscriber: The person responsible for payment of premiums or whose employment is the basis for eligibility for a health plan membership.

For an explanation of the No Surprise Act for patients with a Non-Participating Insurance, please click here.

For an explanation of the No Surprise Bill Act for a Self-Pay patient, please click here.

Patients should check with their insurance company directly regarding the hospital services to determine the plans with which the physicians participate.

We recommend reading Understanding Healthcare Prices: A Consumer Guide written by the national experts at the Healthcare Financial Management Association. In addition, click here to reference a Q&A document with additional details on healthcare pricing.

Patients should check with their insurance company directly regarding the hospital services to determine the plans with which the physicians participate.

Click here to find a UHS Employed Provider