IF YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE ...

• Commercial insurers negotiate discounts with hospitals on behalf of the patients they represent. The discounts vary among insurers.
• Numerous factors, such as type of plan, co-pay, co-insurance, deductible, out-of-pocket maximums and other limitations will also affect your financial responsibility to a hospital.
• Begin by contacting your insurance company to understand all of the factors affecting your financial responsibility.
• Click here for the most common Louisiana health insurers.

IF YOU HAVE MEDICARE ...

• Medicare has a set fee schedule that represents a discount from hospital billed charges.
• Medicare will pay for many of your healthcare expenses but not all of them.
• Special rules apply if you have employer group health insurance coverage through your own job or a spouse's job.
• If you have a supplemental insurance policy, it may cover some costs Medicare does not cover.
• Contact Louisiana Medicare at www.lamedicare.com.

 IF YOU HAVE MEDICAID ...

• Medicaid pays hospitals in accordance with a set fee schedule that represents a discount from hospital billed charges.
• Generally, Medicaid recipients are not responsible for any portion of the bill.
• Contact your local Medicaid office at 1-888-544-7996 or visit the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

IF YOU ARE UNINSURED ...

• Hospitals typically have financial assistance programs for patients who qualify.
• Contact your hospital to determine if you qualify for any programs they offer.