Billing and Payment Information

Checking in at front desk

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Our mission is to meet the needs of those we serve. We have established a policy of communicating financial expectations to our patients. Please review our billing and payment policies below for information on payment options for self-pay patients, patients with insurance, and additional services such as radiology and durable medical equipment.

Patients with insurance

Washington University Physicians accepts many insurance plans, but not all. Please check with your insurance carrier to see if your plan is in network with Washington University Physicians, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, and Progress West Hospital. It is very important that we have your current insurance on file.

If your insurance requires a referral, it is your responsibility to obtain this from your Primary Care Physician.
Co-payments are due at the time of service.
If there are changes to your insurance prior to your upcoming appointment, scheduled tests or procedures, or if you have any questions about your insurance referrals for your upcoming appointment, please contact our pre-arrival team at 314-514-3500, extension 5.
Staff will obtain the pre-certification from your insurance company based on your insurance’s guidelines. Please remember pre-certification does not guarantee payment. It is your responsibility to verify that your particular health benefit plan will cover the procedure or test.
Payment for non-covered services will be required at the time of service.

Out-of-Network Insurance

If Washington University Physicians is not part of your insurance network, please contact your insurance company to locate an in-network provider. Prepayment will be required in full for any services, including surgeries.

Preexisting conditions

If you have a preexisting clause on your policy pertaining to the treatment you are seeking with Washington University Physicians, the insurance company may deny the services. You would be responsible for full payment of the office visit, procedure or test.

Self Pay patients

Washington University Orthopedics will provide a 25% discount for self pay patients.
All self pay patients are required to pay in full for office visits at the time of service.
Payment is expected in full prior to the scheduled surgery/procedure.

For additional questions or more information, please contact our patient financial coordinator at 314-747-9588.

Fracture care

Fracture care is billed as a “packaged” service. This means that at the time of initial care, a bill is generated that includes:

The procedures and other items NOT INCLUDED in the package that may be separately charged are:

Your insurance company may cover the care rendered for fractures differently than for office visits. Therefore, your explanation of insurance benefits (EOB) may show that the services are paid as a surgical procedure with deductible and co-insurance guidelines applied. We are using the most appropriate code available to describe the care rendered. We are required legally to use this code to bill for this service.

Workers' compensation

Most of our providers accept workers’ compensation patients. Please contact your employer and our workers’ compensation coordinators at 314-747-2539 to see if the physician you have selected is an approved provider before scheduling your appointment.

Auto accidents

We will bill first party/personal auto carriers. You must provide the company name, mailing address, phone number, claim number and the adjuster’s name.

Legal cases

Our physicians will not treat you under a lien from either the auto carrier or an attorney. You will have to use your health insurance or self pay for treatment.

Additional charges

To diagnose and treat your orthopedic condition, the following tests, procedures or equipment might be recommended by your provider. These type of services will be billed separately from your Washington University Physicians bill.

Radiology

For radiology studies performed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital or Progress West Hospital, you or your insurance company will be charged for both the taking of the films by the hospital and interpretation of the study by Washington University Physicians. Radiology services are considered an outpatient hospital service and will be billed as such. Please contact your insurance for your outpatient hospital services benefits.

Durable Medical Equipment

Most Durable Medical Equipment that you receive from our office will be billed to your insurance. You will then be billed for any outstanding balance or non-covered expenses. For items that are not covered by insurance, you will be expected to pay upon receipt.

Fluoroscopic Guided Injections

For Fluoroscopic Guided Injections from one of our providers, there will be a facility fee from Barnes-Jewish Hospital, as well as a charge from the physician performing the injection.

Physical/Occupational Therapy
For physical therapy and occupational therapy, you will be billed separately from the provider of choice.

How to pay your bill

Payments can be made by cash, check or credit card. You can make your payment in person at any of our locations, over the phone with a credit card by calling 314-747-9588 or online at: www.mypatientchart.org/MyChart

Please mail checks to:
Washington University Orthopedics
PO BOX 502432
St. Louis, MO 63150

Billing FAQ's

Why did I receive two different bills?
Our Washington University orthopedic specialists treat patients at BJC HealthCare facilities, which means you may receive two separate bills. One bill is for the physician and the other is for the facility charges. For example:

Who do I call if I have additional questions?
For billing questions, contact:

For self pay questions, self pay options, or to pay an existing orthopedic balance via credit or debit card, please call our Patient Financial Coordinator at 314-747-9588.