Patients & Visitors

We’re here to assist you before, during and after your visit to Cayuga Health. Find everything you need to make your visit as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

Paying For Your Care: Cayuga Medical Associates

We understand that hospital billing can be very confusing. We’re here to walk you through the process, to answer your questions, and to help in any way we can. If you phone us, you will reach experienced and friendly people who want to help you find the information you need. We understand that when you are injured or ill, healing and recovery are your first priorities. We also know it is easy at times like this to forget, or be overwhelmed, by the business side of medical care. We are here to assist you in the process of settling your bill.

About Your Bill

We give equal access to excellent care regardless of insurance type. When you check in for your appointment, the person at the desk will ask you for all the information needed (or verify it, if your information is already there) to get you into the system. This includes contact information, insurance information if you are covered, and other necessary details.

Your bill will include all physician services, which includes office visits, tests, and procedures performed, received at any of our Cayuga Medical Associates locations in Tompkins, Cortland, and Schuyler counties. We accept cash, personal checks, and most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover). If your insurance policy requires a co-pay for your visit, that payment is required when you check in. Please contact our office to arrange a payment plan or to apply for financial assistance.

Pricing for Your Medical Care

Since each individual patient is unique, please contact the Patient Billing Office at the office of your physician for information about any medical procedures. The average price for any procedure may vary based on pre-existing health conditions of illness, and the actual procedure performed.

If you are hospitalized, you will be billed separately. These may include charges from your surgeon, anesthesiologist, or radiologist. The pricing information we provide is based on the average charge for specific medical services. We’re unable to provide you with what your deductible, co-insurance, or co-pay will be and whether a procedure will be covered by your insurance. Please contact your insurance company directly for this information. The amount you will owe depends on your insurance plan. If you do not have insurance and need an estimate or cost of your services, please contact the patient billing office and that information will be provided to you.

To pay your bill by mail, please send the remittance portion of the bill and your check to:

Cayuga Medical Associates, PC
PO Box 250
118 E. Seneca Street
Ithaca, NY 14851-0250

Please include your account number on your check.

If you have questions regarding a bill you receive in the mail, please call us at 607-882-0010, for help and explanations.

Health Insurance

One insurance policy is not like the next. If you are covered by insurance, one of several possibilities will apply:

  • Cayuga Medical Associates accepts your insurance and the service(s) you seek are covered by your policy.
  • Cayuga Medical Associates accepts your insurance, but some or all of the service(s) you seek are not covered by your policy.
  • Cayuga Medical Associates does not accept your insurance.

Please note: having a contract in place does not ensure coverage. Since many insurance policies are unique, please contact your insurance company to verify coverage.

Verifying Your Insurance Coverage

We suggest that you discuss coverage with your employer or your private insurance carrier before you seek treatment at Cayuga Medical Associates, both to make certain you are insured and to learn how much of your treatment is likely to be covered by your policy. Any amount not paid by your insurance is your responsibility.

When you get your bill, if you are unable to pay your entire balance due in a single payment, we will work with you to set up a payment plan. Financial assistance is also available for those who qualify. You may contact us at (607) 882-0010 to set up a payment plan or to apply for financial assistance. Click here to learn more about financial assistance guidelines and to download an application. Cayuga Medical Associates will bill both your primary and secondary insurance carriers, so it is important for you to make sure you have provided us with current insurance information.

No Fault

For medical care as a result of an auto injury, please provide us with your auto insurance information in addition to your health insurance. It is your responsibility to file an accident claim with your auto insurance. You are responsible for any non-covered charges.

Worker’s Compensation

If you are injured at work, we must bill Workers’ Compensation for the treatment. The bill will be sent directly to your employer or your employer’s Workers’ Compensation carrier. It is your responsibility to make sure that your employer completes an accident claim and the appropriate Workers’ Compensation papers to ensure prompt payment.

Payment Options for Self-Pay Balances

If you do not have insurance coverage or if you have a balance after insurance has paid, the information provided here is important.

Cayuga Medical Associates understands that medical care can sometimes result in an unexpected financial burden. With this in mind, we offer the following payment options that are designed to help you resolve your balance:

Do I Qualify for Financial Aid?

Cayuga Medical Associates will reduce or eliminate patient financial responsibility for necessary and appropriate treatment and prevention in situations where the individual requiring treatment qualifies under financial hardship guidelines. Determination of financial hardship is based upon the income and assets available directly to the patient (applicant), or indirectly available through a parent or legal guardian. Cayuga Medical Associates uses the most current Federal Poverty Income Guidelines as a basis for these determinations. Each applicant for assistance must complete a written application and provide any information that is reasonably necessary to verify financial information.

Please contact our Customer Service Representatives at (607) 882-0010, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, to arrange a payment plan or obtain the application to apply for financial assistance.

Our Financial Assistance Policy

  • Cayuga Medical Associates is dedicated to providing care, regardless of ability to pay.
  • Your financial circumstances will not affect the care you receive. All patients are treated with respect and fairness.
  • All applications for financial assistance will be kept completely confidential. The information is shared only with individuals responsible for determining your eligibility.
  • Patients may apply for financial assistance anytime. You will have at least 90 days from the date of service to apply and will have 30 days to submit a completed application including all required documentation.
  • If you have no or limited health insurance coverage, or have exhausted your insurance benefits and/or have limited financial resources, you may be eligible for free or discounted services.
  • Payment plans are available with monthly payments and no interest.
  • If you do not qualify for financial assistance but believe you have special circumstances, you can request that your case be reviewed.
  • Everyone who lives in Cayuga Medical Associates’ Primary Service Area may be considered for financial assistance. This includes Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins counties.
  • Consideration for financial assistance is contingent on your willingness to provide appropriate financial documentation (i.e. copies of tax returns, pay stubs).
  • You are responsible for applying for financial assistance. CMA will make applications easily available.

Financial Assistance Forms

Transparency in Coverage

The below link leads to the machine-readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule effective July 1, 2022 and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine-readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.

https://www.excellusbcbs.com/transparency-coverage-mrf

As a reminder, under the Transparency in Coverage Rule, issued in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of the Treasury and enforced beginning 7/1/22, health plans (which includes clients who sponsor employee benefit plans) and health insurance issuers must publish two separate MRFs:

  • In Network: Negotiated rates for all covered items and services between the plan or issuer and in-network providers
  • Out of Network: Allowed amount paid to, and billed charges from, out-of-network providers for all covered services within a 90-day period

Latest News

what our patients are saying

“I have had many occasions visiting CMC for myself and family. We have never had a bad experience there at all. Last October I had surgery and the nurses were amazing especially my night nurse. Thank you to all CMC staff for doing what you do every day with a smile.”

“I have been a Hemo dialysis patient for almost Five years. Prior to dialysis and during dialysis I have had several trips to the ER, due to other health issues & was admitted to CMC more than a few times. Each and every time I’ve been there, whether in patient or out, I have been treated with respect, professionalism, and efficiency. I give this hospital 2 thumbs up!! Thank you CMC for taking care of me all these years!!”

“I have to say the last couple visits that I’ve had here have been wonderful. About a month ago I had an EGD and the staff were amazing! Explained everything in detail and made me feel at ease. I was very nervous and the nurse I had was very comforting. Tonight we had to take my son to the emergency room and they were awesome with him! We got right in. “

“The staff and accommodations at Cayuga Birthplace are amazing!!! This is what it I imagine it would feel like to be a celebrity getting VIP treatment. I wish I could stay longer – even the food options are 5 Star! The amenities are great. Everything is clean and designed beautifully. Not a single complaint, only praises!”