Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs may help you answer questions about your Partners HealthCare bill or the billing process.
What is the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Patient Accounts contact information?
Phone: 617-726-3884
What are the hours of operation?
Telephone: 8 AM– 4:30 PM EST
Why did I receive a bill from Cooley Dickinson Hospital?
There could be a variety of reasons why you received a bill from Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Including:
- You don’t have health insurance.
- The service you received is not covered by your insurance.
- You have a co-payment, co-insurance, or deductible that you did not pay at your visit.
- You did not get a required referral from your doctor.
- You received care outside your provider network.
- You used up your insurance benefits. (Some health insurance companies limit coverage.)
Why am I getting more than one bill for the same service?
You may receive separate bills from the hospital and the doctor for services.
The hospital portion is for items such as medical equipment, technology, medical supplies, lab tests, radiology, and hospital rooms.
The professional portion is for the time the caregiver spends during the visit treating you, reading test results, and coordinating your care.
If you are not sure how your health insurance plan will process claims, call 617-726-3884 to ask what you’ll pay out of pocket.
Why did I receive a bill from a physician whom I did not see?
Some visits also have charges for ancillary departments (e.g., Radiology, Pathology, Anesthesia, etc.); please check to see if your bill includes an ancillary charge.
If you still believe that you received a bill in error, please call 617-726-3884.
When will I receive a bill?
Patients are billed as soon as possible after their provider’s appointment or hospital stay.
- Typically, bills are not sent until all insurance claims have been processed.
- Patients without insurance receive bills directly.
- Bill cycles are every 25 days.
- Once a bill is received, patients are given 21 days to pay their bills in full; the due date will be noted on your bill.
How can I pay my bill?
There are a few payment options.
- Pay your Cooley Dickinson Hospital bill online at www.patientgateway.org
- Call 617-726-3884 to pay your bill by phone
- Send a check or money order made payable to Cooley Dickinson Health Care to the following mailing address:
Cooley Dickinson Hospital
P.O. Box 412026
Boston, MA 02241-2026
Can I pay my bill with a credit card?
Yes, Cooley Dickinson Health Care accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and electronic checks.
Visit www.patientgateway.org to pay your bill securely online.
Please call 617-726-3884 to process your credit card via the telephone.
What if I cannot pay my entire bill?
Visit our Financial Assistance Page to learn more about discounts available to our patients, as well as the ability to create a payment plan.
You can also visit a patient financial counselor in person.
Whom do I contact if I do not have insurance?
Cooley Dickinson Hospital offers several programs for patients who are underinsured or who do not have insurance coverage.
If you live in Massachusetts, you may be able to get health insurance or help paying your health care bills through a state program like MassHealth, Health Connector, and Health Safety Net.
You can also visit a patient financial counselor at the hospital in person or learn more about financial assistance options through Hampshire HealthConnect.
You can also contact Hampshire Health Connect at 413-582-2848 for questions about what to do if you do not have insurance.
Why didn’t my insurance pay for my services?
Your insurance carrier will forward an explanation of benefits (EOB) for your review; the form explains the payment or denial reason for the services rendered.
What if my insurance information has changed?
Please call 617-726-3884 and they will be happy to update your insurance information for you.
What if my address has changed?
Please call 617-726-3884 and they will be happy to update your address information for you.
If I updated my insurance information, do I have to call my insurance company to pay my bill?
If you updated your insurance information with Patient Accounts, we will re-submit your bill to your updated insurance company to request payment.
Do I have to submit my bill to my secondary insurance?
If we have all of your insurance information, we will bill your secondary insurance on your behalf.
What is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)?
An EOB is the notice you receive from your insurance company after getting medical services from a doctor or hospital. It tells you what was billed, the payment amount approved by your insurance, the amount paid, and what you have to pay.
Find explanations of this and other billing terminology on our Patient Billing Terms page.
What is a co-payment?
Copayments are set amounts you pay when you go to a health care provider. Providers usually collect copayments at the visit. Copayment amounts are listed on your health insurance card. For example, an Emergency Department copay $50.
Find explanations of this and other billing terminology on our Patient Billing Terms page.
What is a deductible?
Deductibles are the yearly expenses you pay before your health insurance pays anything. For example, each year you may pay the first $1,000 of your health care bills before your health insurance pays anything. Your out-of-pocket cost is based on the total amount that your insurance has allowed for the visit, NOT on the hospital charges.
Find explanations of this and other billing terminology on our Patient Billing Terms page.
What is coinsurance?
Coinsurance is a percentage of the health care bill that you pay. For example, you pay 20% and your insurance company pays 80%. Your out-of-pocket cost is based on the total amount that your insurance has allowed for the visit, NOT on the hospital charges.
Find explanations of this and other billing terminology on our Patient Billing Terms page.
What is a referral?
Approval needed for care beyond that provided by your primary care doctor or hospital. For example, managed care plans usually require referrals from your primary
care doctor to see specialists or for special procedures. Administrative referrals require minimal clinical information (i.e., diagnosis) and clinician involvement for the approval process.
Find explanations of this and other billing terminology on our Patient Billing Terms page.