Pricing of healthcare services is a very complex issue. Willis-Knighton Health System believes consumers can benefit from having information about pricing and is committed to bringing this information to our patients so that they can estimate their out-of-pocket medical expense.
Chargemaster
Hospital charges are based on a chargemaster, a document that identifies full retail costs of healthcare services or procedures offered by the hospital. Most patients do not pay these costs because the chargemaster cost is discounted for people who are covered by insurance plans. The amount of the discount is determined by a contract with individuals' insurance providers and can vary from person to person and plan to plan.
Click here to access the pricing transparency tool.
Variables
Because healthcare services are personalized to a patient’s needs and the decisions made by the patient’s physician, it is difficult to develop an exact cost for a procedure or hospital stay until the procedure or stay is completed. However, a general estimate may be developed by totaling all services provided.
Health insurance coverage (the contract between the patient and his/her insurance provider) determines the amount of out-of-pocket expense a patient will have. The hospital recognizes these contracts. The hospital’s billing department files charges with the insurance companies according to these contracts.
Financial Assistance
If a patient is uninsured and has limited means, he or she may be eligible for state insurance programs or other financial assistance. Details on financial assistance is available from our staff at (318) 212-2443.
CMS Machine-Readable File (MRF)
These files are not designed as a consumer tool, but a manner specified by CMS. Click here to access the CMS Machine-Readable File (MRF).
Aetna Machine Readable Files
These files are not designed as a consumer tool. Members are encouraged to use the more member-friendly price estimator tools available through the health plan's public website. Click here to access the machine readable files.