It can be difficult to think about financial matters when considering medical treatment and care. However, knowing what to expect at the beginning, and understanding the payment and billing process, can help eliminate surprises.
Payment in Advance
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center requires payment in full, in advance, prior to seeing a physician, having a diagnostic test, or obtaining treatment. We accept payments in the form of a major credit card, traveler's check, certified check, and wire transfer. Wire transfer payments must be received 72 hours prior to treatment. As a matter of safety, we recommend that you do not bring cash for payment. We report all payments over US $10,000 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Cost Estimates
Before you arrive at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, you can request a medical services cost estimate of the possible costs relating to your anticipated treatment.
Insurance
Memorial Sloan-Kettering does not bill insurance companies or third-party administrators on behalf of foreign patients; therefore, the patient is responsible for all costs related to their care and treatment here.
Cost of Initial Consultation
The deposit required for an on-site second-opinion consultation is US $3,000. This deposit typically covers the physicians' initial visit, review of submitted pathology slides, as well as routine blood work that may be ordered. You may have more services provided as part of the consultation, for which there may be additional charges.
Cost of Diagnostic Testing
Should your physician order any diagnostic tests such as CT scans, MRIs, x-rays, or extensive blood work, please contact the International Center for the related costs. A deposit must be paid prior to your appointment for such diagnostic tests.
Cost of Treatment
Should you and your physician determine that treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering is appropriate for you, the International Center will inform you, in writing, of the required deposit. This deposit estimates the hospital and physician costs related to the proposed treatment. Payment in full is required before you start any treatment or other procedure.
Costs Not Included by the Initial Deposit
- Treatment in Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Urgent Care Center.
- Any admission via the Urgent Care Center.
- Prescriptions. (You will have to pay for any prescriptions when you pick them up.)
- Any treatment or procedure not specifically addressed in your deposit requirement letter for your proposed treatment.
Urgent Care Admissions
Should you be treated at or admitted from our Urgent Care Center; the Patient Financial Services foreign counselor will contact you regarding the required deposit.
Additional Payments
On occasion, we may need to inform you during your treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering that an additional deposit is required. This occurs when the treatment costs exceed the initial deposit. Should this occur, a Patient Financial Services foreign counselor will contact you.
Statements
You may receive two different types of statements:
- From the Physician Billing Department (red and tan), for professional services from a physician or medical specialist.
- From Memorial Hospital (blue and white), for all non-physician costs such as hospital or technical services you have received as either an inpatient or outpatient.
These statements will provide you with an itemization of charges for the services you had at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. You can use them to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
When to Expect Your Statements
- The Memorial Hospital Outpatient Statement of Account is sent out monthly. This statement includes prior balances, payments received, and charges for any outpatient hospital services you received during the previous month.
- The Memorial Hospital Inpatient Statement of Account is sent out within two weeks of your discharge from the hospital.
- The Statement of Accounts for Physician Services is sent out monthly. You should receive your first statement within six weeks of your first visit.
Completion of Services
Upon completion of your treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, please contact an International Center Guest Services Coordinator who will contact the Physician Billing Department for you. The Patient Financial Services foreign counselor will let you know if you have an outstanding balance or if you are entitled to a refund from the hospital or physician billing departments.
Refunds
If your actual charges are below the amount you paid in advance, you will receive a refund. The Patient Accounts Department and Physician Billing Department initiate these refunds after all charges have been processed -- typically 30 days after the end of treatment.
If you paid by credit card, a refund will be made to your credit card account. Otherwise, your refund will be by check. If you expect to return to Memorial Sloan-Kettering for future care, you may consider keeping some or all of the funds in your hospital and physician accounts.
Should you have any questions about the status of a Memorial Hospital refund, you should call a Patient Financial Services foreign counselor at 212-639-7206. For information about the status of a refund from the Physician Billing Department, call 646-227-3275.
