TThe following details describe the financial and registration process for our patients. M.C.I. will:

• Prepare a collated account for all services provided.
• Generation of one complete invoice for all treatment and expenses.
• Settlement of all individual invoices on behalf of the patient.
• All anticipated fees (and options) are set forth in the ESTIMATED FEE SCHEDULE, which is supplied in advance to each patient following review of their file. Please note, however, that actual charges often vary from the estimate prepared for the specific service and/or treatment you are seeking.
• All fees will be assessed in Australian Dollars.
• Accepts the following methods of payment: Credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express), Traveller’s Checks, and cash in US or Australian Currency, or wire transfer. To electronically transfer funds to the MCI Bank account, please contact us for MCI’s Bank Account instructions.
• MCI requests a deposit for the visit before confirming your registration and medical appointments.
• Before your departure, MCI’s accounts department finalises your bills and may request a further deposit if additional consultations and/or tests were performed.

If you have further questions after reading this information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Why am I required to sign a credit card authorisation form?

A signed credit card authorisation form is needed as confirmation for MCI to schedule your appointments. The credit card authorisation also gives MCI your consent to charge your card for any charges posted after your departure. We will notify you before additional charges are put through. Please note that a late cancellation fee will be charged to your credit card if an appointment is cancelled less that 48 hours or without notice.

When must I make a deposit for my treatment?

eposits are required 7 business days before scheduled inpatient surgeries and 2 business days before scheduled outpatient appointments and procedures. Deposits are based on a personalised cost estimate prepared in consultation with your treating physician. Deposits must be 100% of the estimated cost.

Why must I pay before my appointment?

A guarantee of financial authorisation and coverage is required before registration of any patient appointment. Your deposit is this guarantee if you are a self-pay patient. Patients who have health insurance with a company that is an affiliate of MCI may use their insurance company pre-authorisation letter as financial authorisation and guarantee.

When will I receive my final bill and statement?

Charges for your medical visits are not immediately posted. Hospital and facility charges are posted 5 to 7 business days after your date of service. Medical consultant charges often require 30 days or more after your visit to be posted. As a result, a final bill that includes all hospital and medical consultant charges cannot be issued until 45 to 60 days after your visit. Refunds for overpayments will be included in your final bill and statement. Rapid billing statements for already posted charges are available upon request.

Can MCI bill my insurance company for my medical charges?

MCI has contracts with several insurance companies. However, insurance pre-authorisation for care is required within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment. Upon request, MCI can verify if your insurance company is on our list of insurers. If MCI is not contracted with your insurance company, you will be asked to make a deposit for your medical treatment. Every effort will be made to supply you with billing invoices and medical records to help you obtain reimbursement from you insurance company.

When will I know if I will receive a refund?

Before your departure, the accounts department will meet with you for an exit interview to discuss your charges and payments, and answer questions you may have. An estimate of your total charges will be prepared based on the available information. Please note that not all charges will have been posted by the time of your exit interview. Therefore, actual charges on your final bill will vary from this estimate of total charges.

Contacting Our Financial Services Team

If you need assistance regarding any aspect of the payment process, then please contact us.

Which methods can I use to pay my bill (check, cash, credit card)?

MCI accepts payments made by cash, credit card (we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express) or a direct deposit bank to

• ARAB BANK in the Middle East and North Africa
• ANZ Bank South Pacific and Asia
• Citibank in the United States and others
• Bank account details are supplied by the accounts department with the billing details

Why have I received two different bills for the same visit?

MCI’s bill may be itemised in three sections. These are:

• The Hospital bills
• Services relating to a doctors' surgery
• The MCI bills for Doctors' services not related to a surgery visit

If you have questions about your bill, please contact us.

There is a doctor's name on my bill I don't recognise. Why is this?

There are several reasons you may not recognise a doctor's name that appears on your bill. If the service being billed is for reading an x-ray or a pathology report, or for the doctor who gave you anaesthesia, your bill will have the name of the doctor who performed these services. You may not have met with these staff people during your visit, but they are an important part of the medical team.

Another example of a name you may not recognize on your bill is the supervising staff doctor's name. While you might see a specific care provider during your visit, it is the supervising staff doctor's name that appears on your bill.

Why am I receiving a bill for services conducted in my country of origin, when I was seen elsewhere?

There are different types of services, such as reading lab tests or x-rays that are performed by your local doctor in your country of origin. The bills you receive are for those services requested by the doctor you saw at another site.

Why am I being billed when I have insurance?

Many insurance companies have amounts which the patient must pay. These are called deductible, co-pay or co-insurance payments. If your insurance plan requires you to pay a deductible or co-insurance, the balance will be billed to you. If you have a question about why your insurance company did not pay part of a claim, you should call your health insurance company directly.

You may also receive a bill if your insurance company does not process our claims by their due date. If you receive a statement that does not show insurance processing, you should contact your insurance company to determine the reason for delay.

If my insurance company has a co-payment requirement, can I wait for MCI to bill me after my insurance processes?

MCI expects co-payment amounts to be paid at the time of service. Please be prepared to pay your co-payment when you check in.

When is payment of my bill expected?

With the exception of co-payment amounts, MCI expect full payment within 7 days of the billing date shown on your statement.

What if I cannot pay my bill in full within 7 days?

You should contact Customer Service to talk about a payment plan.

How is a charge set for my services?

In setting service charges, MCI considers the following:

• Information provided by the Medicare Australia
• Contracted insurance company charge schedules
• Doctor's input on how much time and which services were provided
• Cost to provide equipment, medications and facilities
• Urgency of the surgery or medical consultation

What is an average charge?

Charges can vary for the same type of service based on individual patient needs. The average quoted charge is in the mid-range of charges for patients receiving the same care and treatment.

If I have additional questions regarding my bill, who can I call or email?

Please contact us.

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