Dealing with medical bills can be confusing and stressful. This is especially true at large hospital systems like Stony Brook Medicine But understanding your options for Stony Brook bill pay can help you effectively manage healthcare expenses.
As someone who has received care at Stony Brook hospitals, I’ve learned a lot about navigating their billing system. Here is a comprehensive guide to paying Stony Brook medical bills, including tips for handling hospital and physician charges.
Overview of Stony Brook Medicine Bill Pay
Stony Brook Medicine is the clinical enterprise aligned with Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY. It includes:
- Stony Brook University Hospital
- Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
- Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
- Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital
- Stony Brook Health Clinics
With so many different facilities under one umbrella, Stony Brook medical billing can feel frustratingly fragmented. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:
Hospital Bills
- Covers facility charges, medical supplies, lab tests, therapies, and room fees.
- Sent by Stony Brook University Hospital system directly.
- Pay online via the hospital payment portal.
Physician Bills
- Covers professional services from doctors, specialists, surgeons.
- Sent by individual provider practices affiliated with Stony Brook.
- Pay online via specific practice portals.
This split structure means you’ll likely get separate statements for the hospital and your individual providers.
Paying Your Stony Brook Hospital Bill
Hospital bills make up a major chunk of your medical expenses At Stony Brook, the itemized hospital statement comes directly from the central billing office
Here are tips for handling your hospital bill:
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Review charges – Scan the bill for errors or duplicate entries. Fees for supplies or medications may be incorrect.
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Check insurance processing – Verify your health plan was properly billed. Look for denials, limitations, or coverage rejections.
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Seek financial aid – Stony Brook offers assistance programs based on income. Provide supporting documents to apply.
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Set up a payment plan – For big bills, the hospital can break up payments over time. Call to make arrangements.
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Pay online – The hospital payment portal allows credit card, bank or HSA payments on your account.
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Call with questions – The billing office number is (631) 444-4182. Discuss concerns over charges or insurance.
Following up quickly is key for hospital bills. Errors and insurance problems multiply over time, resulting in bigger headaches.
Paying Your Stony Brook Doctor Bill
In addition to the hospital, you’ll be billed separately by any Stony Brook physicians involved in your treatment. This includes primary doctors, specialists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, etc.
Each outpatient practice bills independently. Here are tips for managing doctor bills:
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Expect multiple bills – You’ll get a statement from each provider who saw you. Amounts vary.
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Log into payment portals – Stony Brook has individual portals for every practice to pay doctor bills online.
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Check coverage – Confirm the practice properly filed with your insurer. Follow up on any unclear denials or non-payments.
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Call with questions – Practices have their own billing reps to address concerns. Get specifics on charges or insurance processing.
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Watch deadlines – Provider bills have faster payment and appeal timelines than hospital statements. Stay vigilant.
Juggling multiple physician bills takes organization. Create a filing system to track statement timelines and documentation.
Best Practices for Managing Stony Brook Bills
Between hospital and doctor statements, Stony Brook medical billing can quickly become overwhelming. Here are my top tips for effectively managing payments:
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Enroll in payment plans – For large balances, break up costs into smaller installments. This helps cash flow.
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Leverage patient portals – Use the online sites to view statements, charges, and insurance details any time.
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Open pre-service estimates – Ask for expected costs before non-emergency treatment. Get itemized breakdowns.
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Save documentation – Keep detailed records of bills, notices, EOBs, and written/verbal communication.
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Follow up urgently – Don’t let billing issues linger. Problems magnify when neglected over time.
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Communicate concerns – Be persistent about getting explanations for unclear fees or insurance denials.
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Seek financial assistance – If balances are truly unaffordable, ask about hardship discounts or free care.
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Automate payments – Set up auto-pay through the portal to avoid late fees or collection notices.
With the right organization and advocacy, you can successfully manage Stony Brook medical bills. Don’t hesitate to leverage all options – including financial assistance and payment plans – for your unique situation. It takes diligence, but you can find a billing solution that fits your needs and budget.
Patient & Visitors – Left Menu
- Patient Financial Services
- Your Hospital Bill
Note: Stony Brook Southampton Hospitals online bill pay system allows you to view and pay Stony Brook Southampton Hospital bills ONLY. Bills from your anesthesiologist, radiologist, emergency room provider, in-hospital physician, or from Westhampton Primary Care OR Meeting House Lane Medical Practice, PC must be paid separately.
Your Hospital bill includes a basic daily charge that covers your room, meals, routine nursing care and services for ancillary care such as x-rays, laboratory tests and medications, as well as operating and delivery room fees. If you have insurance coverage, the Hospital will bill your insurance company directly for covered services. However, those services not covered by insurance are the patients responsibility, as well as any co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles.
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is a participating provider in many health plan networks. You can find a list of the plans in which we participate here. Some health plans use smaller networks for certain products they offer so it is important to check with your insurance provider to verify they have a contract with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital that includes your specific plan. Our list will tell you if we do not participate in all of a health plan’s products.
You will receive a bill for any services not paid by your insurance company. Payments are due within 30 days after you receive your statement. The Hospital depends upon your prompt payment to meet its financial obligations. Cash, money orders, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted. If you are unable to pay your Hospital bill in full, please contact the Patient Financial Services office. It is important that you contact the office promptly after receiving your first statement. Payment plans are available.
It is also important for you to know that the physician services you receive in the Hospital are not included in the Hospital’s charges. Physicians who provide services at the Hospital may be independent voluntary physicians or they may be employed by the Hospital. Physicians bill for their services separately and may or may not participate in the same health plans as the Hospital.
Stony Brook Medicine Brand Promise
How do I pay my Stony Brook University Hospital bill online?
If you have received a Hospital bill from Stony Brook University Hospital and would like to pay online, please visit the payment portal below. If you have managed care insurance and wish to be seen at Stony Brook University Hospital you must obtain a referral from your Primary Care Physician.
How do I pay my Stony Brook Doctor’s Bill online?
If you have received a Hospital bill from Stony Brook University Hospital and would like to pay online, please visit the payment portal below. Want to pay your Stony brook Doctor’s bill online? It’s fast secure and easy. Just select the name of the practice in the payment portal link below.
How do I contact Stony Brook University Hospital?
Click here to view an example of a Stony Brook University Hospital bill. As you roll your cursor or mouse over the bill a description of each section will appear. If you have received one of these bills and have questions about it, you can call (631) 444-4151 during office hours (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 6 pm).
How do I pay my Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Bill?
Note: Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s online bill pay system allows you to view and pay Stony Brook Southampton Hospital bills ONLY. Bills from your anesthesiologist, radiologist, emergency room provider, in-hospital physician, or from Westhampton Primary Care OR Meeting House Lane Medical Practice, PC must be paid separately.