The following financial policies apply when you receive services at Families First Health Center in Portsmouth or Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth.
Payment is expected at the time of service. We welcome most types of insurance.
Information for Insured Patients
- All insured patients must present their current insurance card at the time of the visit.
- Co-payment and co-insurance amounts are expected to be paid at the time of your appointment. If they are not, your appointment may be rescheduled.
- As an insured patient, you have signed a contract with your insurance company. It is your responsibility to provide accurate information to our office.
- For your convenience, our office will try to verify your insurance benefits for you. However, ultimately it is the patient’s responsibility to determine benefit and authorization information before services are provided, including obtaining referrals if needed. Please note that verification of benefits is not a guarantee of payment. Your insurance company makes the final determination.
- Our office will submit your claim to your insurance company. However, it is your responsibility to work directly with your insurance company regarding any denial of payment.
- Patients are fully responsible for payment for services not covered by their insurance.
For Patients with Medical Insurance
- Most insurance companies ask everyone to select a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Please inform your insurance company of your provider’s name. Your provider may be listed in your insurance company’s directory under their name or under Families First, Greater Seacoast Community Health, Goodwin Community Health or Lilac City Pediatrics. If your provider is not listed, please provide Dr. Joanne Buonomano’s name as your PCP. Once you’ve selected a PCP, you may see any of our providers.
- If our physicians are not listed as your PCP with your insurance company, you will be responsible for the bill in full.
For Patients with Dental Insurance
- Greater Seacoast strongly recommends that you have us submit a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance company before services are provided. Without this, we can only estimate the cost for your portion of the visit. Due to insurance companies’ limitations on frequency of services, waiting periods and maximum allowable charges, there is a chance your services may not be covered if a pre-treatment estimate is not submitted before services are rendered.
Information for Uninsured Patients
Sliding Fee Discount Program
- Part of our mission is to create access to care regardless of ability to pay. Greater Seacoast offers a discount based on household income for patients who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover certain services (such as dental or behavioral health care).
- Anyone may apply for the Sliding Fee Discount, which has four levels of adjusted fees.
- You will need to fill out the application with truthful information regarding your family size and income. You will be required to provide proof of reported income.
- If you don’t wish to apply, or if your income is too high for you to qualify, you must pay the full fee.
Medical Self-Pay Patients
- All medical self-pay patients must pay a $30 deposit at the time of their visit.
- If you arrive for your appointment without the deposit, your appointment may be rescheduled.
- Should the balance of your visit be higher than $30, the final payment balance is expected at the completion of your appointment.
Dental Self-Pay Patients
- You will be told the estimated cost of your visit prior to your scheduled appointment time.
- All dental self-pay patients are required to pay the estimated cost of services in advance. If you arrive for your appointment without payment, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.
- You are required to pay for any costs incurred during the visit that were not part of the original estimate at check-out or within 30 days.
- Fees for certain services – including root canals, crowns and bridges and prosthetics – must be paid in full before the first appointment will be scheduled for treatment.
Payment Information for All Patients
Payment Plans
- If you are not able to pay your bill in full, our staff will work with you on an affordable payment plan.
- If you do not send in your payment as arranged in your payment plan, your bill may be sent to a collection agency. In some cases, you may be expected to pay in full before receiving further services.
Collections
Patient accounts that are 120 days overdue will be sent to a collection agency. You can avoid this by making a payment plan for any balance due. Contact the Billing Department at (603) 749-2346 or by email to make these arrangements or to ask questions.
Medical Care and Tests Outside of Greater Seacoast Community Health
Your provider may refer you to specialists, laboratories or a hospital for consultations, lab work or procedures. These providers and facilities have no relationship with Greater Seacoast. When referred to an outside provider or facility, you will be subject to their billing policies and should ask them in advance what fees you’ll be charged.
