Billing, Insurance and Payment | Patients & Visitors | UC Davis Health

Financial Guidance

Questions About Insurance, Billing, and Financial Assistance

A UC Davis Health financial counselor is available to answer your questions about insurance coverage. They can also answer questions about financial assistance programs that you may be eligible for.

You may be eligible to receive benefits through programs such as Medi-Cal, California Children’s Services, Medicare, the county Medically Indigent Services Program, or a charity care discount program. You may be eligible if:

1. you do not have health insurance, or you have inadequate insurance to cover your care
   and
2. you meet certain low- and moderate-income requirements

To meet with a financial counselor:

• For inpatient hospital services, please contact a hospital financial counselor through UC Davis Health’s Financial Clearance Department at 916-734-3245 (4-3245 on a hospital phone). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• For outpatient hospital services, please contact UC Davis Health’s Patient Billing Customer Service Department at 916-734-9200.

Staff at either number can provide more information, and applications for the Medi-Cal program and our charity care discount program.

Patient Financial Assistance

UC Davis Health’s Help Paying Your Bill page contains more information on our Financial Assistance (Charity Care) program, including

• policy information
• income guidelines
• program application

About Your Bill

Hospital Charges

Daily hospital charges include fees for your:

• room
• meals
• 24-hour nursing care
• other services such as laundry, housekeeping, mail delivery, accounting and security

Charges are based on your room type and the amount of care you need.

Other parts of your hospital bill may include:

• procedures to diagnose or treat your condition
• medical tests
• some supplies and drugs
• services of hospital specialists, such as radiologists and pathologists

We generally bill your insurance company or health plan within two weeks after your discharge. Once your insurance company pays its portion, you will be billed for:

• co-pays
• deductibles
• services for which your insurance company does not pay

If you are hospitalized for more than four weeks, we may bill your insurance company at two or more intervals.

Physician Fees

Charges for professional services provided by your physicians (such as hospitalists, anesthesiologists and ancillary profes­sionals) will also be billed separately to your insurance company, Medi-Cal, Medicare, or your primary care physician’s medical group.

Once your insurance company or health plan pays its portion, you will receive one monthly state­ment that will include any hospital and/or physicians’ fees. The statement will show balances such as co-pays, deductibles, or services not covered by your insurance. Any charges not paid by your insurance carrier are your responsibility.

Why Two Bills?

UC Davis clinics are designated as hospital-based clinics, meaning they operate under hospital-based billing and regulatory guidelines.

Q. What is a hospital-based outpatient clinic and why am I charged a Facility fee?

A: A hospital-based outpatient clinic is a facility that is owned and operated by a hospital. It can be located on or off the main grounds of the hospital. If you see a doctor at one of these locations, you may see two separate charges in different sections of your bill:

1. one for professional (physician) services
2. one for a facility fee. 

Your copayment or deductible may also be affected, depending on your insurance.

At UC Davis Health, hospital-based outpatient clinics include:

• UC Davis Outpatient Clinic – Glassrock
  2521 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817
• UC Davis Health – 48X Street
  4868 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817
• UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
  2279 45th St, Sacramento, CA 95817
• UC Davis – Lawrence J. Ellison
  4860 Y St, Sacramento, CA 95817
• UC Davis Eye Center – Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute
  4860 Y St, Sacramento, CA 95817

For a complete and current list, please ask a scheduler or front desk representative.

To avoid a facility fee, when you are scheduling your appointment, ask if the type of service(s) could be performed in a physician office instead of a hospital-based clinic. Understand that this may affect available dates, times, and location of the services.

You may request an estimate prior to any service. To obtain an estimate of the cost of a service, please contact us at 916-734-9200 and select option 3.

*Kindly note that any estimate provided is preliminary. The final cost will be determined after your insurance claim has been processed, and will depend on your specific coverage and benefits.

Hospital Bill Before Discharge

If you are an inpatient and have questions before you leave the hospital.

UC Davis Health Financial Clearance Department

• hs-patientbilling@ucdavis.edu
• 916-734-3245

Hospital Bill After Discharge

If you are an inpatient and have questions about physicians’ fees while in the hospital. Or if you are an outpatient and have questions.

UC Davis Health Patient Billing Customer Service Department

• hs-patientbilling@ucdavis.edu
• 916-734-9200
• 800-551-9411 (toll-free)
• 916-734-9230 (TDD/hearing impaired)

Concerns About Denied Health Insurance Claims, Preauthorizations, etc.

Learn about member grievances & appeals support for health plans

No Surprises Act Disclosure

Learn about your rights and protections against surprise medical bills

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