Patient Friendly Billing
North Ottawa Community Health System is committed to providing excellent care to our patients from admission through discharge and beyond. Our Patient Friendly Billing policies and procedures give patients several options when paying their portion of charges.
You have choices. . .
North Ottawa Community Health System bills your insurance carrier according to the information you give us at registration. After your insurance carrier pays the NOCHS their portion of charges or if they do not pay, any balances left are your responsibility to pay.
When paying any balance, whether you have insurance or not, you have the following options:
- Payment in full: You can make payment with cash, personal check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card or American Express.
- 90-Day Payment Plan - Account balances must be paid in full within ninety (90) days after you receive your first statement or your account may be subject to outside collection. Patients who do not qualify for financial assistance and do not have insurance will be entitled to a 15% discount if the bill is paid within 90 days.*
- HELP Loan Program - Patients who wish to set up a payment arrangement for their bill should qualify for a loan through the Hospital Expense Loan Program (HELP). The loan offers a low interest line of credit, flexible payments and up to three-year payment plans. Download a HELP application here.
- Charity Care Benefits - Patients who meet certain requirements, including income, may be eligible for consideration under North Ottawa Community Health System's Charity Care policy which offers payment options at no cost or reduced rates. Individuals who apply for Charity Care must live within the boundaries of the seven cities/townships within the hospital’s primary service area (Grand Haven City, Grand Haven Township, Robinson Township, Spring Lake Village, Spring Lake Township, Ferrysburg, Crockery Township, Coopersville, Allendale, West Olive). Download a Charity Care application here.
*North Ottawa Community Hospital Discount only. Health System affiliates have separate discount policies.
Contact Information:
For more information about any of the available payment options, we encourage you to read through the information presented here and contact us with any questions you have. To make payment arrangements under one of the options above, please call (616) 844-4598 or email us at billing@noch.org.
HELP Loan Information:
The Hospital Expense Loan Program
When medical expenses arise, you and your family can be put under great financial pressure. That is why North Ottawa Community Health System is pleased to offer you HELP, the Hospital Expense Loan Program, which offers a number of payment benefits:
- Guaranteed Line of Credit - You have a borrowing capacity equal to the amount you and any other family members currently owe any of North Ottawa Community Health System’s affiliates.
- Low Interest Rate - You pay an interest rate that is at or around most mortgage loan rates.
- Affordable and Flexible Payments - You choose the monthly payment that best suits your budget. The types of payments that can be made available to you are shown on the inside panel.
- No Pre-Payment Penalties - You can always make double payments or pay off your HELP account early, with no interest or other penalties attached.
- Three-Year Payment Plans - You can choose to spread your payments out for up to three years.
- Future Hospital Bills - As future hospital bills arise, you can simply charge them to your HELP account.
- Easy Enrollment - For most people, if you have a source of income, you qualify.
Download an application .
HELP is an independent organization and is NOT controlled by North Ottawa Community Health System