Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Surgical Center different from a hospital?

Because a hospital must be staffed and equipped to treat all types of medical problems, it provides a much broader range of services than your current needs require. Since the Surgical Center is designed exclusively for outpatient surgery, we are able to offer patients a convenient, comfortable and generally less costly alternative to a hospital.

The Center’s warm surroundings and increased level of individual attention minimizes the stress often associated with surgery. You will be released within hours of surgery to complete your recovery in the comfort of your home. Our pleasant atmosphere and special attention are particularly helpful in easing the fears of children who are scheduled for surgery.

The Center is similar to a hospital in three respects:

Your surgeon is supported by a highly skilled team of registered nurses and medical technicians specially trained in surgical and recovery care.
Our surgical suites are equipped with sophisticated monitors and highly technical equipment and instrumentation.
The standards of care required by Medicare and surgical governing bodies are strictly adhered to by our center.

Financial Services

Center for Special Surgery will verify your health insurance benefits prior to surgery and bill your carrier following your procedure. Estimated patient responsibility of co-pay portions, deductible, and/or out of pocket fees are expected on the day of surgery. We accept cash, credit cards and personal checks. If you are unable to pay your portion of the bill, we may be able to set up a payment plan. Discounts or cash pay prices may be offered if you do not have insurance or if your procedure is not covered by your plan.

Charity care is offered on a limited basis and you must qualify by completing the Financial Assistance/ Charity Application which you can contact us to request.

Charity Care Policy

Purpose

Center for Special Surgery is committed to providing Health Care Services to patients in Pinellas County and surrounding service areas regardless of their ability to pay. The Charity Care Policy was established to provide financial relief to those who are unable to meet their financial obligation to Center for Special Surgery.

Charity Care applies to charges for traditional, non-elective healthcare services to patients meeting the financial criteria set by the Surgery Center using the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines found at http://aspc.hhs.gov/poverty.

Charity Area Criteria

All outpatient accounts are eligible for uncompensated care consideration. A Charity Care Application must be filled out by the patient/guarantor. Eligibility is based on income, family size and cash assets.

Patients with current Medicaid benefits having a procedure not covered by Medicaid, and not cosmetic in nature, will be approved for charity care based on their qualification under the Medicaid program. Proof of current Medicaid eligibility will be verified prior to approval.
Patients at 150% or less of the current Federal Poverty income level, from all sources, will qualify for Charity Care with completed application.
Patients at 151% or higher will be considered for Charity Care on a case by case basis with completed application.

Charity Care Application Documentation

Center for Special Surgery may require some or all of the following documentation based upon the individual Charity Care Application

Required Documentation

Proof of Income – from all sources, listing gross income for the most recent four-week period
Copies of most recent Federal Income Tax Return
Last two months on bank statements for savings accounts and checking accounts.
Cash balances as of the date of service from certificates of deposit, stocks and bonds.
Number of dependents. Unborn children are not added to the family size. Death of a spouse or dependents will only be included in family size for the year of the death.

Other Documentation at the Request of Center for Special Surgery:

Assets including home, automobiles, boats and real estate other than primary residence
Monthly household expenses as well as loan payments
Credit Bureau check on accounts balances of $2000 or more.
Board of Assessment – Property Value Check (as required).

Charity Care Application Policy

Applicants for charity care will complete a charity care application. Center for Special Surgery reserves the right to check the veracity of the information at their discretion.
Center fo Special Surgery prefers that the application be completed prior to or immediately following the date of service but will accept applications within 90 days from the date of service. The surgery center reserves the right to grant extension to the time frame cited and to deny an application if received after an extended period of time.
Loss of employment will be considered temporary until nine months have elapsed and will not be considered in the income evaluation.
Cash balances above the criteria will be applied to the outstanding balances first then the applicable reduction will be applied to the balance.
Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed. Applications sent to the guarantor/patient at their request must be returned within 30 days to be considered.
The surgery center reserves the right to review benefit determination if financial circumstances have changed substantially.

Charity Care Application Procedure

Applicants for charity care will complete a charity care application. Center for Special Surgery reserves the right to check the veracity of the information at their discretion.
Center fo Special Surgery prefers that the application be completed prior to or immediately following the date of service but will accept applications within 90 days from the date of service. The surgery center reserves the right to grant extension to the time frame cited and to deny an application if received after an extended period of time.
Loss of employment will be considered temporary until nine months have elapsed and will not be considered in the income evaluation.
Cash balances above the criteria will be applied to the outstanding balances first then the applicable reduction will be applied to the balance.
Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed. Applications sent to the guarantor/patient at their request must be returned within 30 days to be considered.
The surgery center reserves the right to review benefit determination if financial circumstances have changed substantially.