Billing & Insurance
Memorial is committed to providing financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured individuals who are residents of Mississippi in Memorial Hospital at Gulfport’s service area, in need of emergency or medically necessary treatment.
Accepted Insurance PlansThe Financial Assistance Policy exists to provide these individuals discounted medically necessary care. Patients seeking financial assistance must apply for the program.
Important Medicaid Updates
The federal government will be ending the COVID-19 public health emergency soon, and states will restart yearly Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility reviews beginning April 1, 2023.
If you and your family are covered by Medicaid or CHIP, you need to make sure your contact information is up-to-date. You may receive a letter in the mail asking you to update your information or to fill out a form.
You can also update your contact information online here: https://medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered/. If you have questions, please call 1-800-421-2408.
Affordable payment plans for your medical bill
We’ve partnered with BridgeMed to offer affordable payment options, so you can now pay your bill over time with no interest or fees. Enrollment is fast, easy, and automated, with customized payment plans that work for your budget.
If you have an outstanding balance greater than $250 and would like to enroll in a payment
plan, sign up here.
If You Have Health Insurance
We will need a copy of your insurance identification card each time you receive healthcare services. We also may need the insurance forms that are supplied by your employer or the insurance company. You will be asked to assign benefits from the insurance company directly to the Hospital. All patients should familiarize themselves with the terms of their insurance coverage. Review requirements for Pre-certification of Services by the insurance company, and that your insurance covers the type of services you are having. The Hospital Admissions & Registration Department can help with this advance review. Please inquire with your admitting representative. This will help you understand the Hospital charges and billing procedures.
If You Are a Member of an HMO or PPO
Your plan may have special requirements, such as a second surgical opinion or pre-certification for certain tests or procedures. It is your responsibility to make sure the requirements of your plan have been met, prior to receiving services.
If your plan’s requirements are not followed, you will be financially responsible for all or part of the services rendered in the Hospital. Some physician specialists may not participate in your healthcare plan and their services may not be covered.
If You Are Covered by Medicare
We will need a copy of your Medicare card to verify eligibility and process your Medicare claim. You should be aware that the Medicare program specifically excludes payment for certain items and services such as cosmetic surgery, some oral surgery procedures, personal comfort items, hearing evaluations, and others. Medicare does not cover many medications given in an outpatient setting. This rule applies to medications that patients could take themselves, such as oral medications, drops, inhalants, and even some drugs that are self-injected. Items not covered by Medicare, deductibles and co-payments are the responsibility of the patient.
If You Are Covered by Medicaid
We will need a copy of your Medicaid card. Medicaid also has payment limitations on a number of services and items. If Medicaid requires a co-payment, it is due at the time of service.
If You Have No Insurance
You may call our Financial Counselors at 228-867-4118, or 228-867-4128 to discuss other options for financial assistance, including possible eligibility for Medicaid.
Hospital Billing Statement for Services
The Hospital will set up a financial account exclusive to you for each visit or service occurrence. This is to expedite and comply with various insurance requirements to process insurance claims for payment. You will receive a statement from the Hospital once your insurance has paid its portion. If you have no health insurance, you will receive a statement shortly after your stay or visit.
The Hospital, as a courtesy to you, will submit insurance claims to your insurance company and will work with them to expedite the processing of payment for services, if Memorial is a contracted provider.
You should remember that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. The final responsibility for payment of your Hospital bill is yours.
Your Hospital bill reflects all of the services you received during your stay or visit, which may include any of the following: a basic daily room rate, which includes nursing care, meals, housekeeping, telephone and television; charges for physician-ordered radiology exams or views; laboratory tests, therapies or other Hospital-based procedures.
You may receive separate medical billing related to your Hospital visit from physicians or other healthcare-related providers (for service and interpretation of lab or X-rays). These charges are not Hospital charges and inquiries or questions on these, along with payment, should be directed to these healthcare providers. These providers are required to submit separate bills.
Questions? Call (228) 867-4108 or 1 (800) 844-0735.
Read Memorial’s Financial Assistance Policy and download the application.
How to find health coverage:
- Go to Healthcare.gov to shop for coverage.
- Call Division of Medicaid at 1 (800) 421-2408 or visit medicaid.ms.gov.
- Call Health Help Mississippi for assistance at (877) 314-3843 or visit healthhelpms.org.