FAQ

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Before, During & After Your Visit​

Below please find frequently-asked questions about your financial responsibilities before, during and after your physician visit. Also, please see how to prepare for your Alaska Urology appointment for tips on working effectively with your healthcare provider and maximizing the productivity of your visit.


Can I be seen if I don’t have active health insurance?​

Uninsured or self-pay patients may be required to pay a deposit towards your scheduled, non-emergent visit. Please ask at the front desk or call the appointment line at (907) 563-3103 to find out if a deposit is required and how much the deposit will be.  Acceptable forms of payment include personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card. You will be billed for any charges that exceed your deposit.

Is my provider in network?

Check with your insurance carrier to see if your provider is in-network. Your insurance may pay at a different rate for “in-network” providers versus “out-of-network” providers   In-network providers make agreements with insurance companies to provide their services for pre-negotiated rates. Out-of-network providers are not contracted by your insurance company, and you may be responsible for paying in full or at a higher percentage.

Is my insurance carrier accepted at Alaska Urology?

Alaska Urology participates in many health insurance plans. However, Alaska Urology is not included in all plans that each health insurance company offers.  Please contact your health insurance plan to verify that your care at Alaska Urology will be covered. You can also consult this list of health insurance plans and government programs (link to financial policy) in which Alaska Urology participates.

Will I receive multiple bills? 

In many cases, yes.

Facility fees, if you receive services at a hospital, or at an outpatient surgery center, imaging centers, or other location, you will receive a bill for “facility fees” for the services in addition to a bill for the professional fees for the services. Facility fees are charged for hospital stays, some clinic visits, and services such as X-rays, lab tests and therapies.

Professional fees, your professional fees bill covers the professional fees for services performed by physicians or other healthcare providers. This will include care you received directly as well as interpretation of your medical and diagnostic tests. 

Laboratory fees, if you receive laboratory services at Alaska Urology, you may receive a separate bill for your lab work.  At Alaska Urology we will attempt to complete all labs in-house to keep your costs down, however, some tests due to complexity require us to contract with a third party vendor.

Do I have a co-pay?

A co-pay is a set fee established by your Benefit Contract that you pay at the time of service.  Check with your insurance carrier to see if you have a copay. If you do have a copay, please bring payment with you to your visit.

Do I have a co-insurance payment?

The co-insurance payment is the amount you must pay after your insurance has paid its portion, according to your Benefit Contract. In many health plans, patients must pay for a portion of the allowed amount. For instance, if the plan pays 70% of the allowed amount, the patient pays the remaining 30%. Check with your insurance carrier to see if you have a coinsurance payment.

What is my deductible?

The deductible is the amount a patient pays before the insurance plan pays anything. Check with your insurance carrier to learn the amount of your deductible.

How far am I towards meeting the deductible?

In most cases, deductibles apply per person per calendar year. Check with your insurance carrier to learn how far you are toward meeting your yearly deductible.

If your visit won’t be covered under your health insurance plan, what will your responsibilities be at the time of your visit?

Payment is expected at time of service.

Am I eligible for payment plans?

If you are having difficulty paying your bill in full, you may ask to arrange a payment plan​.  Each patients financial situation is different and Alaska Urology takes into many factors into consideration when granting a payment plan option.

If I self-pay, will I have to pay a deposit?

Uninsured or self-pay patients may be required to pay a deposit toward your visit. Please call your clinic’s main number and ask at the front desk or call the appointment line at 907-563-3103 to find out how much the deposit will be.  Acceptable forms of payment include personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card. You will be billed for any charges that exceed your deposit.

Alaska Urology offers a cash discount for patients paying out of pocket.  If you would like more information to and available resources you can refer to (insert community resource hyperlink).

What other billing/insurance responsibilities do I have on the day of my appointment?

It is your responsibility to notify the clinic of any changes to your:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Employer
  • Emergency contact name
  • Insurance information

*It is also your responsibility to notify Alaska Urology if you have more than one insurance plan.

What will I be required to pay on the day of my appointment?

Be prepared to pay any co-pays and the patient responsibility portion that your insurance plan requires.

Self-pay patients may be asked to pay a deposit or full amount at time of service

Aside from bringing my insurance card, photo identification (driver’s license, passport, military ID, non-driver ID), and referral (if necessary), what else should I prepare for at my visit?  

Due to the nature of some procedures and tests please arrive prepared to give a urine sample.  

When and how are insurance claims submitted?

After your doctor’s visit, your doctor’s office submits a claim to your insurance company. The insurance company uses the information in the claim to pay your doctor. When your insurance company pays your doctor, it also sends you a report called an Explanation of Benefits.