NIHD introduces prepayment policy, enhances patient communications

Northern Inyo Healthcare District (NIHD) has introduced a prepayment policy for patient appointments and procedures, alongside new communication tools to streamline care and enhance the patient experience, all in compliance with California regulations. The prepayment policy, which applies to all NIHD locations except the Emergency Department, aims to increase transparency and simplify the billing process.

The prepayment policy requires co-payments at check-in for appointments. Costs such as co-payments and deductibles must be paid before scheduling procedures. Patients who pay at the time of service and are self-insured will receive a 30 percent discount. Financial assistance is also available for those who qualify.

“This is about making the healthcare experience clearer and more efficient for our patients,” said Chief Executive Officer Stephen DelRossi. “By addressing costs upfront, we reduce administrative delays and can focus on delivering quality care.”

Enhanced Patient Communication Tools

To further improve the patient experience, NIHD has rolled out several new communication tools:

Patient Portal Alerts: Text, push notifications, and emails now notify patients of new actions within their patient portal accounts, making it easier to stay informed.
Appointment Reminders: Patients may opt-in to receive text and email notifications for upcoming appointments, reducing missed visits and enhancing continuity of care.
Electronic Health Record Integration: An ongoing project aims to enhance communication between the electronic health records of NIHD and valued regional partners, including Toiyabe Indian Health Project and Valley Health. This initiative will simplify the sharing of orders and results among providers, ensuring seamless care coordination. This project will launch within the next few months.

Pre-Payment Policy Overview

Appointments: Payment is required at check-in; providers will not see patients who do not make the necessary payment.
Procedures: NIHD will verify insurance, calculate costs, and require payment for co-pays and deductibles before scheduling the procedure.
Self-Pay Patients: NIHD offers a 30 percent discount when payment is made at the time of service.
Financial Assistance: Available to eligible patients through the NIHD Business Office.

This policy does not apply to Emergency Department services, where patients will continue to receive care regardless of their ability to pay at the time of service.

Benefits of this policy include clarity of cost, giving patients the ability to know what they owe before their visits, avoiding unexpected bills. It will also reduce administrative tasks at the time of service, allowing NIHD to focus on patient needs.

NIHD is committed to making healthcare accessible and transparent. Patients are encouraged to contact the NIHD Business Office at (760) 873-2097 for questions about the prepayment policy or financial assistance options, or speak with our Admissions team at their next visit regarding the new patient communication tools.