United Medical Center (UMC) looks forward to serving your medical needs. UMC has contracts with most of major third-party payers (insurance plans, HMOs, etc.) available in our area. The list of UMC-accepted payers/insurance plans does change from time to time because of the expansion of managed care, mergers/acquisitions and new contracts we negotiate.
When you come to UMC, it is important that you provide all required information. This will help ensure that we are able to submit the costs of your service to your insurance carrier in a timely and effective manner. When you are registering at UMC, you will need to provide a copy of your insurance identification card, your picture ID, proof of your residence (a utility, cable or phone bill) and your telephone number.
In keeping with our advance payment policy, pre-certification approval of admission is required in many cases. Ask your insurance carrier representative – or your healthcare provider’s office – for assistance in obtaining this approval. Many insurance companies require prior authorization before an elective or urgent admission, so it’s a good idea to check with your insurance carrier any time you are being admitted to the hospital.
Payers/Insurance plans not included in the list below may still authorize services at UMC during approved medical emergencies.
We also accept the following forms of insurance or coverage:
Medicare: United Medical Center is a participating provider for Medicare. Present your Medicare card and your supplemental insurance cards upon admission. You will be responsible for any deductibles, co-payments and services not covered by Medicare and your supplemental insurance.
Commercial Insurance: If you are covered by a commercial carrier, please bring your insurance card with you to the Admissions Office. If your carrier requires a claim form, please bring a completed form with you. Most commercial insurance carriers require pre-certification, pre-authorization and/or a second surgical opinion. To ensure coverage for your services, please ensure this authorization is completed before you arrive at United Medical Center.
Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care: If you receive City or have State Welfare, or Medicaid Managed Care, please bring your current identification card to the Admissions Office. Pre-authorization is needed for elective admissions and elective outpatient services.
Maryland Medicaid, Virginia Medicaid or other Out-of-State Medicaid may require pre-authorization for elective admissions and elective outpatient services. Please be sure you obtain proper pre-authorization before you arrive at United Medical Center. You will be required to provide documentation confirming coverage and pre-authorization as well as a copy of your current Medicaid Card and your picture ID.
Carefirst Blue Cross / Blue Shield: If you are insured by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, please bring your current insurance card with you to the Admissions Office. All Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance coverage verification is only an estimate of available coverage and is subject to final review and approval by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Most Blue Cross/Blue Shield policies require pre-certification and pre-authorization prior to admission. Please be sure to obtain pre-certification and pre-authorization before you are admitted to the hospital.
Health Maintenance Organizations: If you are covered by an HMO, please bring your insurance card to the Admissions Office. Most HMOs require a referral from your primary physician. All HMOs require pre-certification and pre-authorization before admission.
Workers’ Compensation: Workers’ Compensation cases are covered when approved by the employer or the employer’s insurance carrier. In liability cases, you are responsible to the hospital for prompt payment of your bills and you must seek reimbursement from the liability insurance carrier.
Other Health Plans: UMC will accept insurance plans with which we do not have a contract. However, the plan may restrict its members from selecting UMC and other non-network hospitals. It’s important that you contact your insurance company to confirm whether it will reimburse you for care at UMC. You may also contact a Patient Billing representative at (202) 574-6905 for assistance.
We will always respond to emergencies. If you are being hospitalized as a result of an accident, before being admitted please provide all accident insurance carrier and/or insurance agency information so that our financial counselors can get approval for payment before admission.
If you have no insurance, you will have to pay a deposit for elective surgery upon admission.
More About Patient Billing: United Medical Center also accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Payment for non-covered services, copayments and deductibles are due at the time of registration. To learn of your out-of-pocket expenses, please contact your insurance company, or refer to your patient manual prior to presentation to the Admission Office. The Admissions Office staff may be reached at (202) 741-6601.
Questions?
For more information on UMC’s participation with managed care plans, please contact the Patient Financial Services at 202-574-5394.