| Billing & Insurance Info
Thank you for choosing Black Hills Surgical Hospital for your care. We are committed to providing the best possible care and are pleased to discuss our fees with you at any time.
Below are frequently asked questions about billing and insurance. Simply click on the question of interest and you will be taken to the answer.
About Us
Black Hills Surgical Hospital, LLP is partially owned by physicians and meets the Federal definition of a “physician-owned hospital.” A list of physician owners is available upon request.
Like many hospitals in South Dakota, Black Hills Surgical Hospital, LLP does not have a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy on-site 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. During weekday operations, physicians are ordinarily on-site from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM each day. Additionally, an Emergency Response Team consisting of a Doctor of Internal Medicine, Anesthesiologist and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) are on call 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. If you do develop an emergency condition when a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy is not present, a Registered Nurse certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support will assess your condition and begin initial treatment until the Emergency Response Team arrives.
About Our Fees
Black Hills Surgical Hospital has established a price for each procedure and adhere to that price regardless of minor variations in supplies. Our hospital fees include items such as the cost of the procedure, operating room, supplies, equipment, medication, recovery care and any overnight room charges. Our fees do not include charges from your treating physician. Depending on additional services needed in providing you with quality care, you will also receive separate bills for ancillary charges such as lab work, hospitalist care, anesthesiology, imaging services and radiology.
If you have any further questions please call us at (605) 721-4900 / 1 (800) 818-1890. Any questions about physicians’ fees should be directed to his/her offices.
Additionally, our pricing for many of our major procedures is significantly lower than our competitors. To compare pricing in our region simply click here to review the State’s disclosure of hospital pricing.
Out of Network Coverage
If Black Hills Surgical Hospital is considered an out of network provider or is not listed as a “participating provider” with your insurance company, we offer a Freedom of Choice program so you will not pay anything extra to obtain your health care from Black Hills Surgical Hospital. If you have no Medicare or other government entitlement program coverage, secondary or primary, you can access our Freedom of Choice program. This means you may use our services and pay the same deductible and co-insurance you would pay if we were a participating provider facility—in effect, we will waive the additional out-of-pocket payment your benefit plan requires for use of a non-participating provider.
To enable us to do this, you must give us a copy of the Explanation of Benefits that you receive from your health benefit plan. This will reflect the amount paid by your benefit plan for our services and the amount your plan indicates is your responsibility. If we are unable to determine the amount of the “non-participating provider penalty” from the Explanation of Benefits, we may request additional information from you. You agree to provide us with the information we seek.
While this special arrangement requires Black Hills Surgical Hospital to absorb additional expenses, we view this as an investment in our community's health as we believe Freedom of Choice is of critical importance to all residents.
How Your Bill is Processed
A pre-admissions representative will contact you prior to your admission to review your insurance coverage and projected cost of services. Please note, sometimes treatment plans change from the time of admission to the time of discharge, so there might be charges added to your bill after you are discharged.
After services have been received, we will bill your insurance carrier. After your insurance company has processed your claim you will then receive a billing statement from Black Hills Surgical Hospital outlining the remaining balance due. This remaining balance may include co-pays and/or deductibles and/or non-covered charges.
Financial Assistance Programs
Black Hills Surgical Hospital does not penalize or deny anyone service if they have an inability to pay. To receive financial assistance you may be asked to provide financial information regarding your income, financial assets and liabilities. We also use The Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine a person's eligibility for financial assistance. Or if you prefer, we may also refer you to The Midland Group to see if you qualify for financial assistance.
If you are uninsured there are government-funded medical assistance programs. If you are not eligible for government programs, Black Hills Surgical Hospital offers a Self-Pay Program which assists patients who do not qualify for medical assistance and whose annual incomes are at or below the 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Self-Pay Program is also beneficial to patients who have health insurance but are not able to afford what their insurance does not cover.
The National Association of Health Underwriters offers a user-friendly Web site that provides information about private health insurance coverage, as well as the many public and private programs available to Americans to help them obtain the medical care they need. You can even search for information by state—visit www.nahu.org/consumer/healthcare for more information.
For more information about our Financial Assistance Programs and Payment Plans, call (605) 721-4900.
Release of Health Information
In an effort to help your admissions process move a little faster, we have included a downloadable copy of our Release of Health Information form. This form will authorize Black Hills Surgical Hospital to request or disclose specified protected health information so we can provide the best care possible.
Simply click here for our Release of Health Information form, print it, fill it out, and bring with you to your appointment.
Billing/Insurance FAQs
Am I responsible for my bill?
Yes. Upon admittance you are responsible for your bill. Though we will first bill your insurance, any portion of your bill not covered by insurance is your responsibility. As with any bill, we expect to receive payment in a timely manner.
What charges are included in my bill?
Black Hills Surgical Hospital facility fees include the cost of procedure, operating room, labs, supplies, equipment, medication, recovery care and any overnight room charges. Your bill does not include charges from any physicians who provide services on your behalf. Questions about physicians’ fees should be directed to their offices.
Depending additional services needed in providing you with quality care, you will received separate bills for ancillary charges such as lab work, hospitalists, anesthesiology, imaging services and radiology.
How do your fees compare to other facilities?
Black Hills Surgical Hospital’s pricing for many of its major procedures is significantly lower than its competitors. Click here to review the State’s disclosure of hospital pricing. If you are price checking and find our fees are higher than another facility, please let us know as we will reassess our fees.
With regard to pricing of our Imaging Services, we guarantee our fees will be at least $100 lower than any facility—if you find they are not, contact us and we will adjust our fee.
How do I submit a claim to my insurance company?
We will bill your insurance carrier after you have received services. If your insurance carrier does not pay the bill promptly we may contact you for assistance. If there is a remaining balance after your insurance has paid, a letter notifying you will be sent to you.
If you have questions regarding your insurance company’s payment, you should contact your insurance company directly to check on the status of your claim.
I don’t have insurance. Can I still receive services?
Yes. Black Hills Surgical Hospital does not deny anyone services for their inability to pay.
If you do not have insurance, a bill will be sent directly to you after service is complete or you have been discharged from the hospital. If you are unable to pay the entire amount shown on your bill, please call us so we can assist you with a payment plan or other financial assistance programs.
If you are uninsured there are government-funded medical assistance programs. If your are not eligible for government programs, Black Hills Surgical Hospital offers a Self-Pay Program which assists patients who do not qualify for medical assistance and whose annual incomes are at or below the 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If you are uninsured, you will receive a 10% discount. The Self-Pay Program may also be beneficial to patients who have health insurance but are not able to afford what their insurance does not cover.
The National Association of Health Underwriters offers a user-friendly Web site that provides information about private health insurance coverage, as well as the many public and private programs available to Americans to help them obtain the medical care they need. You can even search for information by state—visit www.nahu.org/consumer/healthcare for more information.
What if my insurance is out of network or does accept Black Hills Surgical Hospital?
If Black Hills Surgical Hospital is considered an out of network provider or is not listed as a “participating provider” with your insurance company, we offer a Freedom of Choice program so you will not pay anything extra to obtain your health care from Black Hills Surgical Hospital. If you have no Medicare or other government entitlement program coverage, secondary or primary, you can access our Freedom of Choice program. This means you may use our services and pay the same deductible and co-insurance you would pay if we were a participating provider facility—in effect, we will waive the additional out-of-pocket payment your benefit plan requires for use of a non-participating provider.
What if my insurance doesn’t cover everything?
If any portion of your account is not covered by insurance, you are required to pay the balance. Additionally, we are not a party to your insurance contract and we will not become involved in disputes between you and your insurance company.
Do you accept government programs?
Yes. Black Hills Surgical Hospital is a participating provider for government programs including Medicaid, Medicare, Indian Health Services, Tricare, VA and County programs (for a more detailed list see below). We will file all forms for you. If applicable, after insurance pays its portion, we will bill your supplemental insurance. If there is a remaining balance after your supplemental insurance has made payment, we will send you a letter notifying you of your balance.
What insurances do you accept?
We are continuously adding insurers to our list so if you do not see your insurer listed below, please contact us. Currently, Black Hills Surgical Hospital is a participating provider with the following companies:
- APPO
- All Womens Count
- Allegiance Benefit Plan Management
- CareWest
- Children's Special Health Services
- Coalition American (Nat'l RR Empl)
- Corvel
- Custer Correctional Program
- DakotaCare
- DakotaCare State
- First Choice of the Midwest
- Health InfoNet
- Indian Health Services
- Integrated Health Plan, Inc
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midlands Choice
- MultiPlan, Inc. (MPI)
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Plaines Health Network
- PlanCare America
- Sanford Health Plan
- Three Rivers Provider Network
- TLC
- Tricare
- VA
- Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Workcomp
Do I need pre-certification for surgery or imaging services?
Most insurance plans require you to obtain pre-certification, for example Blue Cross Blue Shield, DakotaCare State, Definity Health, GEHA, Great West Healthcare, Indian Health Services, Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, SD Risk Pool, VA, Western Health–ASI and WorkComp require pre-certification for all Imaging Services (CT & MRI). DakotaCare State, Indian Health Services, Medicaid, SD Risk Pool, Tricare, VA and WorkComp require pre-authorization for surgery. Please note, if pre-certification is required and you do not take steps to ensure authorization is obtained, reduced benefits or the denial of your entire claim by your insurance company is possible. If you would like assistance, call us at (605) 721-4900.
What if I’m unable to pay my bill?
Patients who are unable to pay for services are welcome to apply for financial assistance through Black Hills Surgical Hospital. Contact Patient Accounts for more information, (605) 721-4900.
Please note, physician’s fees are not included in our Financial Assistance Program. If you need assistance in paying physician’s bills, please contact your physician’s office directly.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. To arrange a payment plan or obtain more information, please contact Patient Accounts at (605) 721-4900.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, we offer a few discounts. If you are uninsured, you will receive a 10% discount; if you pay your bill prior to or at the time of your service you will receive a 20% discount.
If Black Hills Surgical Hospital is considered an out of network provider or is not listed as a “participating provider” with your insurance company, we offer a Freedom of Choice program so you will not pay anything extra to obtain your health care from Black Hills Surgical Hospital. If you have no Medicare or other government entitlement program coverage, secondary or primary, you can access our Freedom of Choice program. This means you may use our services and pay the same deductible and co-insurance you would pay if we were a participating provider facility—in effect, we will waive the additional out-of-pocket payment your benefit plan requires for use of a non-participating provider.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. Black Hills Surgical Hospital accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover. Call (605) 721-4900 to make a payment.
How do I make a payment?
Please call (605) 721-4900 to make a payment.
If you have any further questions contact our Patients Accounts department at:
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Business Office
1868 Lombardy Drive
Rapid City, SD 57703
Phone: (605) 721-4900 / 1 (800) 818-1890
Email: BillingQuestions@bhsh.com
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