Insurance & Fees
Most insurances companies have historically paid little to nothing for integrative medical services. With the rise and growing trend of integrative medicine, coupled with the increasing validity and efficacy of Naturopathic Medicine, many insurance companies are recognizing Licensed Naturopathic Doctors and their services with insurance reimbursement.
Starry Brook is an in-network naturopathic provider for CIGNA, Harvard Pilgrim, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Please note: not all policies, visits or procedures may be covered by your plan and knowing your insurance benefit plan is your responsibility.
Thank you for choosing Starry Brook Natural Medicine as your healthcare provider. We are committed to providing you with quality care by using the best equipment, safest supplements and drugs and we have a highly motivated team to ensure your highest well-being.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has increased coverage for many patients, and it has also changed the cost and coverage provided to all patients. Please carefully review this page to avoid any billing misunderstandings.
How it Works
We participate in most insurance plans, excluding Medicare and Medicaid. If you are not insured by a plan we accept, payment in full is expected at each visit. If we do accept your plan, but you do not have a current insurance card, payment in full for each visit is required.
After your deductible is met for your individual policy, your insurance company reimburses Starry Brook for your office visits.
At the time of service, patients who have provided their insurance information in advance of their visit pay a copay and/or portion of their deductible for service rendered (we accept personal checks and major credit cards) and are provided with an invoice showing paid copays, coinsurance payments and payments for medications and supplements. We submit to your insurance company and get reimbursement for your Naturopathic Healthcare services.
Understanding Your Insurance Plan
As a patient, it is in your best interest to know if your plan is contracted with Starry Brook Natural Medicine. Your insurance provider can be a great resource. Call them to understand your plan benefits, deductibles, co-insurance, or co-payment amounts prior to any visit. You may have different deductibles, co-insurance, or co-payment amounts, depending on the contracted status of your insurance company.
Health Saving Accounts (HSAs)
HSAs are accounts that use non-taxable income to save money to spend on your health care needs. They give you the liberty of seeing any doctor and deciding where you want your health care dollars to go and to whom. Check with your employer or check in to HSAs from a health insurance agent to see if this is the right plan for you and your family.
What does your Healthcare Insurance Plan Cover?
Ask your insurance company the following questions to determine what services are covered. Here's some quick tips to help you determine your benefits:
FIRST – HAVE A PEN AND PAPER HANDY TO RECORD THE DATE, TIME OF CALL AND AGENT WHO PROVIDED YOU INFORMATION.
SECOND – call the number on your insurance card listed for customer service, benefits and eligibility, or subscriber services and ask the representative the following questions:
It is also important to understand your insurance plan. You may receive two bills for the treatment provided to you at Starry Brook Natural Medicine -- one from Starry Brook Natural Medicine and others from a lab company (Quest, LabCorp, etc).
Please make sure that both your provider, clinic and lab are listed as a contracted provider by your insurance company. It is possible that only the provider or only the clinic is contracted with your insurance plan. If not listed, contact your plan's customer service department to verify. Always document the name of the representative and date and time of the call in your insurance plan folder.
If the clinic and/or the providers are not listed as a contracted provider and/or are not in your insurance company's network, we are still happy to provide you with services. If your policy has out-of-network benefits, your insurance plan may still cover the services provided to you. However, you may be responsible to pay a higher amount out-of-pocket than if you receive services from an in-network provider. Your insurance company's customer service representative can help verify your benefits and out-of-pocket costs. Should you require additional assistance regarding your out-of-pocket cost, we can provide you with financial assistance options.
Not all services are covered in all insurance contracts. If your insurance plan benefits do not cover a service or procedure, you can be held personally responsible for payment of these charges. To find out what your insurance plan benefit covers and what your financial obligation may be, call the customer service or member services department of your insurance company (the phone numbers are on your insurance card). Your employer's human resources department may also be a source of information and assistance.
Patients with insurance questions or concerns may also contact our billing office at (603) 926-8258.
Nonpayment. If your account becomes delinquent, you agree to pay any charges to collect your unpaid bills, including but not limited to, court costs, and/or collection agency fees. An account is considered past due after you have received one statement and have not contacted our office regarding the statement. We do offer payment plans not exceeding a 3 month time period, unless otherwise negotiated. You must contact us for a reasonable payment arrangement or risk collection action. Please be aware that if a balance remains unpaid, we may refer your account to a collection agency or a collection attorney and you and your immediate family members may be discharged from this practice. If this is to occur, you will be notified by mail that you have 30 days to find alternative medical care. During that 30-day period, our providers will only be able to treat you on an emergency basis.
Missed appointments. Our policy is to charge for missed appointments not cancelled within 48 hours prior to your appointment. Missed appointment charge is outlined in our office policies. These charges will be your responsibility and billed directly to you. Please help us to serve you better by keeping your regularly scheduled appointment
Naturopathic Medicine is now being honored and encouraged. This growing trend is being seen in every level of healthcare including insurance companies.
Our practice is committed to providing the best treatment to our patients. Our prices are representative of the usual and customary charges for our area. Thank you for understanding our payment policy. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.