As insurance coverages and government regulations change, our patients are asking what their care will cost – in advance – on a more frequent basis. The answer is not always simple, as it can be difficult to predict exactly what procedure may be performed, exactly which medications will be used, and how a patient’s other conditions may affect the treatment and healing processes. Due to many variables we work with each patient to understand their care needs and provide them with an estimate of what their care will cost. We can also work with an individual patient to help them better understand their insurance coverage and the deductibles, co-pays, and balances for which they may be responsible under their plan. NMC recognizes that health care billing can be complex. We work closely with our patients to help them navigate the various systems and have the ability to offer financial assistance for those in need. To ensure you receive the best possible information in the most efficient manner, contact our Patient Financial Services team by calling 802-524-1048. Or, email the group at [email protected]. 

We understand that health care is expensive, so we work hard to keep our costs as low as possible to help contain the cost of health care. The technology, staff, and supplies it takes to run a hospital 24-hours a day, 7-days a week are expensive. We face the same increases in utilities, pharmaceuticals, and insurances as families and companies in our community do. It is a never-ending effort here at NMC to ensure we can care for our community properly without spending too much. Even with our emphasis on keeping costs low, we can’t charge simply what it costs to provide the care, because Medicare and Medicaid don’t pay hospitals fully for the care provided to their patients. We are forced to shift that unpaid cost to other patients, which drives up charges for everyone. The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems is working with the Legislature, employers, insurers, and other groups to improve the system, but for now, the cost shift inflates our charges.

The State of Vermont maintains a comparison of hospital charges on each hospital’s most common admissions, the most common outpatient surgical procedures, and the most common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. As you look at the posted data, you will find that NMC compares favorably with the other Vermont hospitals, ranking below the State average in most cases. You can see this comparison of NMC’s prices to other hospitals at The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website.

For Hospital or Physician Billing: If you have a question about a billing statement that you receive, call 802-524-1048 and we will be happy to help you. If you would rather email, send your question to Patient Financial Services at [email protected].