Patient Financial Services

The Cook Hospital is proud of its mission to provide convenient quality health care and services to all who need it, regardless of our patient’s ability to pay. As a part of our continued services, the Business Office is here to help our patients and their families with insurance and patient billing questions or concerns.

We will process all bills in a timely fashion and will ensure every effort has been made in seeking correct reimbursement from our patient’s insurance plan(s). After all insurance reimbursement has been exhausted there may be an amount remaining in which would then be the patient’s responsibility to pay.

Financial assistance programs and arrangements are available and offered to insured and uninsured patients. If any of our patients and/or their family member(s) are concerned about paying their bill(s) and are interested in applying for assistance, please call 218-666-5945 regarding what documentation is required in determining eligibility or to complete an application, please click on this Community Benefit Program Application link.

Beginning January 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are requiring hospitals and health systems to post their current, standard charges and a list of shoppable services.

  • Hospital charges are the amount a hospital bills an insurer for a service. For most patients, hospitals are reimbursed at a level well below charges.
    • Patients covered by commercial insurance products have negotiated rates with hospitals.
    • Patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid programs have hospital reimbursement rates determined by federal and state governments.
    • For specific information about the type of insurance coverage you have, please contact your insurer.
  • Hospital charges may include bundled procedures, personnel, services and supplies. An example would be room rates that include the space, equipment, nursing personnel and supplies.
  • Hospital charges do not represent the amount a patient is responsible for paying. If you are shopping for medical services, you should contact you insurance carrier to understand which costs will be covered and which will be your responsibility.

Each hospital operating in the United States will be required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide in two ways:

For more information on Hospital Price Transparency, please contact Kaylee Hoard, CFO 218-666-6263.

BALANCE BILLING (SURPRISE BILLING)

You are protected from balance billing when you receive emergency care, or you are treated by an out-of-network facility and/or provider at an in-network hospital.  In these cases, you should not be charged more than your health plan’s copayments, coinsurance and/or deductible.  Learn more about your rights and protections regarding Surprise Medical Bills.

All of our patient’s questions and/or concerns will be treated with confidentiality and courtesy.

  • Cook Hospital Toll Free – 866-324-5945
  • Accounts Receivables (patient balances) – 218-666-6204
  • Insurance Billing Inquires – 218-666-6205
  • Long Term Care Billing Inquires – 218-666-6213

Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.