Receiving a medical bill can be confusing and stressful. However, understanding your University of Maryland Faculty Physicians (UMFP) bill and knowing your payment options can make the process much easier. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about receiving, reading, and paying your UMFP medical bills.
Overview of University of Maryland Faculty Physicians
University of Maryland Faculty Physicians is a large physician group affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine. With over 1000 physicians they provide care across a wide range of specialties including primary care, cancer treatment, heart care, neurology, surgery, and more. Their physicians see patients at offices located throughout Maryland.
When you receive care from a University of Maryland Faculty Physician, you’ll get two separate medical bills – one from the physician practice (UMFP) for their professional services and one from the hospital/facility for costs like equipment, supplies, and facility fees. This article focuses specifically on understanding and paying your bill from UMFP.
Receiving Your UMFP Bill
After you see a UMFP physician, it takes some time for them to generate and send your bill. Bills are typically sent out on a monthly basis. For office visits, expect to receive your statement within 2-4 weeks. For hospital services, it may take 4-6 weeks to receive your bill.
Your UMFP bill will be sent by mail to the address they have on file for you. Be sure to notify them any time your address changes to ensure you receive your statements. The billing statement will include details like the date of service, charges, payments made by insurance, and the balance you owe.
Reading and Understanding Your UMFP Bill
When you receive your UMFP bill, set aside time to carefully review it. Here are some key elements to look for:
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Patient information: Verify your name, address, and other info is correct.
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Date of service: This shows when you were seen by the physician.Refer back to your calendar if the date seems incorrect.
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Location: The location listed should match where you were seen. Common locations are specific UMFP office addresses.
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Provider: The name of the physician or healthcare provider who treated you.
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Service description: A brief description of the type of care you received, such as “office visit” or “surgery.”
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Charges: The fee charged by UMFP for the services rendered. There may be multiple charges if you received multiple services.
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Payments/adjustments: Any amounts paid by your health insurance to cover the charges. This section reflects any negotiated discounts they apply.
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Balance due: The remaining amount you owe after insurance payments and adjustments. This is the amount you must pay.
Take some time to verify that all the information looks accurate. Be sure you understand what you are being charged for. Contact UMFP customer service right away if you find any discrepancies or have any questions.
Options for Paying Your UMFP Bill
Once you’ve reviewed your UMFP bill and confirmed the balance, it’s time to pay it. UMFP offers several convenient payment options:
Pay Online
The fastest and easiest way to pay is through the UMFP online payment portal. To pay online:
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Select your UMFP location from the dropdown menu.
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Enter your account number, statement date, and amount due.
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Fill in your payment information and submit.
Online payments are typically processed within 2-3 business days. You can pay by credit/debit card or e-check.
Pay by Phone
You can make a payment over the phone by calling UMFP Billing at:
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410-528-5710 (local)
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888-243-8890 (toll-free)
Have your account information ready when you call. Phone payments will also process in 2-3 days.
Pay by Mail
Mail your payment in the form of a check or money order to:
UM Faculty Physicians, Inc.
P.O. Box 418207
Boston, MA 02241-8207
Be sure to include your account number on the check. Mailed payments take longer to process – allow 7-10 days.
In-Person Payments
You can pay in cash, check, or credit card in person at the UMFP business office location:
UM Faculty Physicians, Inc.
250 West Pratt Street
18th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
The business office is open Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm. Payments made in person are credited to your account right away.
Getting Help with Medical Bills
If you are struggling to pay your UMFP medical bills, don’t panic. You have options, including:
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Payment plans: UMFP offers interest-free payment plans to break balances into smaller monthly payments.
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Financial assistance: Uninsured/underinsured patients may qualify for reduced bills based on income and family size.
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Medical bill advocacy: There are professionals who can negotiate bills and find errors on your behalf.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to UMFP customer service to discuss your options if paying your bill poses a financial hardship. Whatever your situation, it’s important to take proactive steps to address outstanding balances. Ignoring medical bills can lead to collections calls, credit damage, and increased stress.
Frequently Asked Questions about UMFP Billing
Here are answers to some common questions patients have about University of Maryland Faculty Physicians billing:
How long do I have to pay my bill?
Payment is due upon receipt of your statement. However, you should contact them right away if you need more time.
What if I already paid my bill?
First verify the payment cleared your bank. If so, contact UMFP to have them apply the payment to your account.
What if I can’t afford my bill?
Ask about payment plans, financial assistance, or medical bill advocacy options. Don’t let an unpaid bill go to collections.
Why are there separate physician and facility bills?
The physicians and hospital facilities bill separately for the distinct services they each provide. This is common practice.
What if my insurance didn’t pay as expected?
Contact your insurance to understand why. If they processed something incorrectly, UMFP can resubmit the claim.
Who do I call about billing errors?
Contact UMFP customer service if your bill seems inaccurate in any way.
Having a clear understanding of your UMFP medical billing statement allows you to confidently review charges, make payments, and address any issues. Remember – you have options if paying your bill presents a hardship. Reach out to customer service for personalized guidance and assistance.
