Riverside Health System has committed to implementing provider -based status for relevant affiliates of the health system. Through this change, these affiliated office locations become outpatient departments of a Riverside hospital. Aligning these practices closer to the health system allows them to keep and attract high quality physicians, establishes enhanced quality and safety standards like those required of hospitals, provides more consistency in the delivery of care, and supports up-to-date facilities.
Frequently asked questions about hospital outpatient departments
Why did my physician's office become a part of the hospital?
Your physician practice has become a department of a Riverside hospital to strengthen our integration with the health system. This results in better teamwork and improved continuity of care. It also enhances our electronic health record capabilities, resulting in even safer, higher quality care. The Federal government is also encouraging integration and collaboration through its health care reform legislation.
As an outpatient department of the hospital, the office is required to function within the same regulatory standards as the hospital. This means that your physician practice will be surveyed by Det Norske Veritas, also known as DNV, a hospital regulatory agency, and held to the same high standards as the hospital.
What is DNV and how does it affect the operations of a facility or physician practice that converts to a department of the hospital?
DNV is an accrediting organization for hospitals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid requires that hospitals be surveyed by an approved accrediting body in order to receive payment for patient services. Hospitals have annual reporting requirements to DNV and are surveyed frequently.
DNV creates accountability to proven hospital health care safety and quality standards, such as fire safety, patient safety, infection prevention and quality improvement while promoting close collaboration between the physicians and team members. DNV also provides public acknowledgement of facilities meeting their high safety and quality standards.
What is provider-based?
"Provider-based" is a Medicare status that an office receives by complying with specific Medicare regulations. When a facility or physician practice converts to a department of a hospital, and meets the attendant requirements, such as the application of DNV accreditation standards, then it may be considered provider based and a department of the hospital. In the case of a physician practice, "Provider" refers to the Riverside hospital.
Will there be changes to the check-in process?
Depending on your insurance, you may see changes during check-in:
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires that we verify whether or not Medicare is your primary insurance. This requires an additional form be completed prior to being seen.
In general, the check-in process can take a little longer than previously, so it is more important than ever that patients arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time.
Why am I receiving my bill in two parts?
When an office becomes part of the hospital, some insurance payors, such as Medicare, require us to split your claim into two parts for your office visits and services. If you receive your Explanation of Benefits by mail, you may receive these parts in two separate mailings. One part will be for the professional or clinical fees from the visit and the other part will be for the facility fee.
- Professional Fees will be billed by your physician group. This professional or clinical fee covers the time the physician has spent with you as a patient, along with the consultation and any medical advice that was provided during your visit.
- Facility Fees will be billed by the Riverside hospital. This facility fee is the charge for administrative and other costs that are required to support the hospital-based clinic, including but not limited to office space, nursing staff, clerical support and supplies.
For convenience, Riverside combines any patient responsibility of Professional and Facility fees into one single bill. Questions regarding the bill can be directed to our Customer Service Team at 1-800-621-7677. You can also email your questions to [email protected].
Patient with other insurance types may not see any change in their billing.
Will I pay more for services?
As with all health care services, cost depends on insurance coverage. Patients who receive care at hospital based offices may pay more for outpatient services and procedures. We recommend that all patients review their insurance policies to determine the insurance and out-of-pocket expenses that may be incurred. We encourage you to contact our Patient Accounting Navigator or dedicated Customer Service team if you have questions by calling 1-800-621-7677 or sending email to [email protected].
Would you name some of the provider based offices that are outpatient departments of a Riverside hospital?
Yes. Some examples of offices that function as outpatient departments include:
- Riverside Hampton Surgery Center
- Riverside Gastroenterology Specialists
- Riverside Diagnostic Centers
- Riverside Cancer Infusion Centers
- Riverside Doctors' Surgery Center
- Riverside Cardiology Specialists
- Riverside Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery
- Riverside Vascular Specialists
As a patient, how do I benefit when a facility or practice becomes a department of a Riverside hospital?
This change is positive for our patients in many ways:
- Aligns the physician practices closer to the health system, resulting in better teamwork
- Provides integrated electronic health records, helping to eliminate duplication and improve safety
- Enhances safety standards and quality of care since our practice is now held to the strict standards set by DNV for hospitals
- Enhances our ability to attract and retain high quality physicians to our area
- Assures consistency in the delivery of care
- Supports state-of-the-art facilities
Unifies the outpatient setting and the hospital under the same hospital charitable care policy.
Our change to become a department of a Riverside hospital allows us to retain our high quality physicians and staff and implement increased quality and safety standards which benefit all of our patients immensely.
Questions about billing?
If you have any questions about this change, please let us know. Our first priority continues to be providing our patients with superior care that promotes safety, healing, kindness and respect.
Contact our Customer Service team Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Phone 1-800-621-7677
- Email [email protected]