South Carolina hospitals are warning patients that they could see unexpected healthcare charges due to "split billing," according to The Post and Courier.
Split billing happens when patients undergo an annual physical or a preventive service exam and incur extra charges. These extra charges can be billed when the physician addresses a chronic pre-existing condition during an annual physical.
To help notify patients of the potential for split billing, Charleston, S.C.-based Roper St. Francis sent a letter to patients saying they should anticipate additional charges if a physician addresses pre-existing conditions during an annual physical, The Post and Courier reports.
A Roper St. Francis spokesperson declined to provide an expert to answer questions from the publication.
Other healthcare providers in Charleston are also giving a warning.
Tara Vandegrift, MD, with Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, told The Post and Courier patients might be better off making a separate visit from their annual physical if they want to address extensive health concerns.
Terrence Steyer, MD, chairman of family medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, advised that patients may be better off saving conversations for pre-existing health concerns for diagnostic exams that monitor existing health concerns.
Access the full report here.
More articles on healthcare finance:
Hospitals, not physicians, driving up healthcare costs for privately insured, study shows
Florida bill would allow hospital to operate outside taxing district
Kansas hospital leader reports missed payroll