Understanding Insurance, Payment and Billing

A UC Davis Medical Center financial counselor is available to answer your questions about insurance coverage and financial assistance programs for which you may be eligible, such as Medi-Cal, the County Medically Indigent Services Program or other programs.  To meet with a financial counselor, call the Financial Clearance Department at (916) 734-9080 (4-9080 on a hospital phone), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition, UC Davis Medical Center patients who are eligible for State Disability Insurance (SDI) may request assistance with completing disability application forms and obtaining necessary medical documentation. This service is provided for a nominal $10 processing fee. For more information, call (916) 734-2293 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Daily hospital charges include fees for your room, meals, 24-hour nursing care and other services such as laundry, housekeeping, mail delivery, accounting and security. The charge is determined by your room type and the amount of care required. In addition, diagnostic and treatment procedures, medical tests, certain supplies and drugs, and services of hospital specialists, such as radiologists and pathologists, also will appear on your hospital bill.

We generally bill your insurance company or health plan within approximately two weeks after your discharge from the hospital. Once your insurance company pays its portion, you will be billed for co-pays, deductibles or services for which your insurance company does not pay. If you are hospitalized for more than three weeks, we may bill your insurance company at two or more intervals.

Your doctors’ charges are billed separately. Your insurance company, Medi-Cal, Medicare or your primary care physician’s medical group will be billed for the professional services you receive. Once your insurance company or health plan is billed, you will receive a monthly statement of account activity identifying your portion to pay. Any charges not paid by your insurance carrier are your responsibility.