Frequently Asked Questions
EMERGENCY/URGENT CARE
Q: What are the pediatric doses for Tylenol and ibuprofen?
A: Download the Medication Guidelines for Children.
Q: What is Urgent Care?
A: Urgent Care is located in the Emergency Department and is designed for people who have urgent medical needs that are not life-threatening. The service is offered during the hours of Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come to Urgent Care for minor illnesses such as sore throats, sinus infection, sprains/strains, minor burns, simple bladder infections, coughs, skin rashes, ear infections, minor cuts, scrapes and bruises.
Q: Who can I call to get a medical question answered?
A: If you have been an in-patient here in the last two weeks, in the Emergency Department in the last 72 hours or are expecting or have delivered a baby (last two months) call the switchboard at 284-5361 and they will connect you with a nurse. All other medical questions should go to your family physician during regular business hours. If after hours, our switchboard can transfer you to a BRMH Telephone Nurse Adviser.
Q: When are the local AA meetings?
A: AA meetings are held every evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Bright Spot, 24 Main Street, Black River Falls. Early Riser’s AA meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays at 6:30 a.m.; Wednesdays at 12 Noon; and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. The last Wednesday of every month is an open speaker meeting.
LABORATORY
Q: If I need a Laboratory test, do I go directly to the Laboratory?
A: We request all patients go directly to the Admission Desk. The Admission Desk will then notify the Laboratory that you are here. You will then be directed or escorted to the appropriate waiting room.
Q: I already know where the Laboratory is located. Can I go there without stopping at the Front Office?
A: We still request that you go directly to the Admission Desk. Laboratory personnel may be working with other patients or in other parts of the building when you arrive. By going to the Admission Desk first, we can do our best to be sure the Laboratory knows you are here and waiting.
Q: I have been waiting for over 15 minutes for the Laboratory staff to come and get me. What do I do?
A: There are two options you can use to notify us of the delay. 1) You can tell any hospital employee and they will be happy to contact the Laboratory for you. 2) You can dial the Admission Desk (1345) from any phone in a hospital waiting room. The Admission Desk will contact the Laboratory for you. While we know emergencies do arise, we will try our best to keep you informed if an unavoidable delay is expected.
Q: How do I get the results of my Laboratory tests?
A: All Laboratory test results are sent to the ordering physician. The ordering physician is responsible for giving you the results and any other pertinent information about the results. If you need a hard copy of your hospital test results, you may contact the Health Information Management Department at the hospital for assistance. Laboratory personnel are prohibited by hospital policy from giving results directly to patients.
PATIENT ACCOUNTS
Q: I do not have health insurance and I’m planning to have a service at BRMH, who do I contact?
A: Please contact the Patient Financial Counselor at 715-284-1368.
Q: I have a bill with BRMH, who do I contact?
A: The Patient Financial Counselor at 715-284-1368.
RESPIRATORY CARE SERVICES
Q: Do I need a referral to have a sleep study?
A: Yes, you do need to see a primary care provider prior to having a sleep study. If the provider feels that a study is needed, he or she will then refer you to the Sleep Lab.
OBSTETRICS
Q: You are such a small hospital, what if my baby is sick or has problems when it is born?
A: The physicians and nurses at BRMH are highly skilled in taking care of sick infants. All of our staff are certified in Neonatal Resuscitation and attend regular updates on infant emergency care. We have all the necessary medical equipment to stabilize your baby readily available. Even though we are a smaller hospital we are big on quality care.
Q: I’m expecting twins, can I deliver my babies at your hospital?
A: Each situation is special and should be discussed with your health care provider. Having twins is considered “high risk” which means that you and the babies must be watched more closely. Some of the Krohn Clinic physicians will care for women expecting twins. They do this in consultation with area specialists. When it is time for the babies to be born, a cesarean delivery is one option you may be able to choose. If it is an option to have the infants vaginally, you would need to have your care provided at another hospital. We do not deliver twins vaginally at BRMH. Talk with your health care provider and make the decision that is right for you.
Q: I had a cesarean section in the past; do I have to have a cesarean again?
A: This is hard to know. Each person is different and this may depend on the reason for your first cesarean or how your surgery was done. Some people should not try to have a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) and others may not want to try due to the risks or benefits of each. You should talk with your health care provider and make an informed decision about what is right for you.
Q: What if my baby is born early?
A: A baby is considered full term if it is born at 38 weeks in gestation or more. Babies born between 35 and 38 weeks may have some breathing or feeding problems but can be cared for by the hospital’s experienced staff. If you are in preterm labor (labor before 35 weeks of your pregnancy) your doctor may recommend that you be transferred to a larger center in case more care is needed for your baby.
Q: Can family members spend the night with me at the hospital?
A: Yes. Our space is somewhat limited but we can easily accommodate your support person or husband and will do our best to make them comfortable. We do not allow other small children to spend the night however.
Q: The hospital requires me to have a car seat for my baby when I am discharged. I don’t have a lot of money for a car seat - what should I do?
A: The hospital does have some funds to help families out in situations like this. With the help of the Patient and Family Services staff each case is evaluated as they arise. When you meet with the OB nurse for your pre-delivery care planning, be sure to discuss your situation with them. Together we can work out a plan for you. Sometimes if you let family know that you need a car seat, they will help out and get one for you as a shower gift. Be aware that current safety specialists advise not using seats purchased at garage sales as these might have parts missing or be too old to use (more than 6 years old).
Q: I heard that you don’t do epidurals, is this true?
A: No. We do offer epidurals here as a pain management choice. Not every woman however is a candidate to receive this type of pain control. There may be some health conditions that might make this procedure risky and therefore not recommended. Also, having an epidural in any health care facility cannot be ‘guaranteed’ as certain health conditions may arise or rare situations may occur that would limit the ability to receive one. Black River Memorial is similar to any other rural hospital in this situation and is dedicated to ensure this is kept to a minimum. The staff will do everything possible to help manage your pain until they are able to arrive. Be sure to discuss your pain management preferences with your nurse and healthcare provider so we can make every attempt to help you meet your personal pain management goals.
INSURANCE AND BILLING
Health care billing, insurance and Medicare can be very confusing. Black River Memorial Hospital strives to make the process as easy and patient friendly as possible. Please contact our Fiscal Services Department and we will be happy to assist with any billing or insurance questions. Please call the appropriate number listed below:
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Medicare
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Medicare Advantage/HMO’s
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Medical Assistance
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Commercial Insurance
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Homecare/Hospice/DME
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Self Pay
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Fiscal Services Manager
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715-284-1310
715-284-1361
715-284-1353
715-284-1308
715-284-5361
715-284-1368
715-284-1309 |
The Fiscal Services office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Medicare/Medicare Advantage/Medicare HMO’s
Black River Memorial Hospital will bill Medicare for your services. If you presented supplemental insurance at the time of registration we will file your insurance for any balance that was not paid by Medicare. You will receive a monthly statement for any personal balance that was not covered by Medicare or your insurance.
Medical Assistance
Medical Assistance cards are required at the time of registration. This is a State regulation and if you do not show your card the charges could become your personal obligation. There is a daily co-payment for hospital services.
Insurance and HMO’s
Black River Memorial Hospital participates in many of the Managed Care Plans offered in our area. Some insurance plans may require a referral or pre-authorization for certain tests or procedures. It is your responsibility to understand the requirements of your plan. If you have any questions about your policy, contact your insurance company’s customer service department.
The Fiscal Services Department will bill your insurance company as a courtesy to you if complete billing information was given at the time of registration. We will make every attempt to resolve any billing issues with your insurance company; however, if you receive a statement and our billing office has exhausted all efforts for payment of your claim, you will be responsible for the balance of your account. Your insurance contract or policy is between you and your insurance company or your employer.
Patient Balances
For charges not covered by insurance, we accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We can also set up a payment plan for your convenience. A Patient Financial Counselor is available Monday through Friday to answer any questions you may have. Please call 715-284-1368 to schedule an appointment.
Community Care
Patients who are unable to pay for their hospital services should apply for the hospital’s Community Care Program. This program uses Federal poverty guidelines in determining eligibility as well as household income, size of family, debt, and financial resources of the household. Please contact our Patient Financial Counselor at 715-284-1368 to schedule an appointment (click here for guidelines and application).
Download the Community Care Guidelines.
Download the Community Care Application.
Statements
Statements are prepared and mailed out monthly. If you have any questions regarding your statement please call 715-284-5361 and ask to speak with a Financial Services Representative. Detailed bills are available by request.
Q: Who is responsible for paying my hospital bill?
A: The hospital will bill your insurance company directly (unless you specify otherwise). You are ultimately responsible for making certain that your bill is paid.
Q: Who should I contact if there is a change in my insurance, address or telephone number?
A: Any changes should be communicated to the Fiscal Services Department by calling 715-284-5361.
Q: Did you bill my insurance?
A: Your monthly statement will indicate when your insurance was filed, if payment was received or pending, and any amount that you owe Black River Memorial Hospital. Please call the Fiscal Service Department at 715-284-5361 if you need assistance.
Q: Who do I contact to set up payment arrangements on my hospital bill?
A: Black River Memorial Hospital has a Patient Financial Counselor that would be happy to assist you. Please call 715-284-1368 to discuss any billing arrangements.
Q: What questions should I ask my insurance company?
A: If you have questions regarding your health insurance coverage, your best resource is your insurance company. It is important to make sure that you understand your insurance coverage before you receive treatment. Some questions that you may want to ask your insurance company:
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Do I need a referral or prior authorization for this hospital visit?
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Why did you deny my claim?
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Is Black River Memorial Hospital covered by my insurance plan?
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Is this service covered under my insurance plan?
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What are my out of pocket expenses for which I am responsible?
Q: I was a patient at Black River Memorial Hospital. Why am I receiving bills from Gundersen Lutheran and Sacred Heart Hospital?
A: Black River Memorial Hospital does not staff a radiologist or pathologist. These services are contracted through Gundersen Lutheran and Sacred Heart. Black River Memorial Hospital is contracted to bill for radiology services for most patients; however, if you have Medicare, Medicaid, or other federally-funded plan (i.e., TriCare/Champus), you will likely receive a bill from Gundersen Lutheran Radiologists. If you receive any services that require a pathologist, such as tissues removed during surgery, you will likely receive a bill from Sacred Heart. Your insurance information is provided to the contracted facility at the time of service.
Q:I have an appointment at Black River Memorial Hospital to see a consulting provider. Black River Memorial is in my HMO Network, but the outreach provider is not. Will my services be covered by insurance?
A: Consulting provider’s charges are billed from the facility at which that provider works, not by Black River Memorial Hospital. If the outreach provider is considered out-of-network by your insurance plan, your charges will be covered according to the out-of-network guidelines of your policy. As long as Black River Memorial is in your network, any charges billed by the hospital for hospital services will be paid as in-network. If you have questions about what providers are in your network, it is best to contact your insurance company or the outreach provider’s facility prior to your appointment.
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