Billing & Financial Assistance

West Shore Medical Center is committed to providing the highest quality health care. The bills patients receive as a result of the care provided at West Shore may be confusing. The following information will be helpful for patients as they sort through their bills. For insurance policy questions about specific covered or non-covered charges, patients should contact their insurance carrier.

Our Billing Process
The billing process begins at the time of registration. When you register, a West Shore associate will verify your demographic information and ask for your current insurance card (s). We do this at every visit to ensure that we have the most accurate information for you. This helps us process your hospital bill in the most efficient and timely manner possible.

If you provided insurance information at the time of registration, we will bill your insurance shortly after your hospital services have been rendered. West Shore will actively pursue resolution to your insurance claim but, from time to time, your insurance company may require additional information from you to process the claim. If you receive a request for additional information, we ask that you respond to the request promptly in order to expedite processing of your claim.

After your insurance company processes the claim, they will send you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). The EOB shows the insurance company’s payment to the hospital and the portion that is your responsibility. This statement is not a bill. If you provided us secondary insurance at the time of registration, we will also bill the secondary insurance for you. Should you still have a balance due after all insurance is resolved, West Shore will send you a statement for the amount that you owe the hospital.

If you are unable to make payment in full for the amount that you owe, please contact Patient Financial Services at (231) 398-1113 to make payment arrangements or discuss financial assistance.

West Shore Medical Center accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, cash, and personal check.

West Shore Medical Center offers a discount for payment made in full within 60 days.

Financial Assistance Available
As more people face challenges in paying their hospital bills, West Shore Medical Center has partnered with Aequitas Capital Managment, Inc. to offer CarePayment, an extended-term, 0.00% financing program. The CarePayment program is an interest-free finance program that allows patients to pay hospital charges over 25 months. Anyone with a valid Social Security number qualifies, regardless of employment or credit history, and there is no approval or application process. Additional hospital charges may be added to the card as long as the patient is current on their monthly payment.

For people who do not have health insurance or are underinsured, West Shore has financial assistance options available. If the income of patient or their family falls below 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines, there will be no charge for hospital services or charges will be reduced. West Shore's financial services staff will also work with patients in identifying government-funded programs for which they may qualify.

West Shore Medical Center Financial Services Contact Information
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Billing Inquiries or to Update Insurance Information
(231) 398-1115

Patient Registration
(231) 398-1191

Central Scheduling
(231) 398-1114

For questions about bills from West Shore Medical Center employed physicians, please contact the physician billing office at (231) 398-9266.

Other Bills You May Receive
The bill you receive from West Shore Medical Center is for hospital services only. You may receive separate professional fee bills from the pathologist, radiologist, or other physicians involved in your care. Physicians that provide care to you may or may not be participating providers in the same insurance plans or networks as the hospital, which may result in greater financial responsibility for you. Please contact the physician provider or your insurance company directly with your non-hospital billing questions.