Insurance and Billing Information

Insurance Plans We Accept

We accept:

• SCCIPA
• All commercial PPO plans including:
• Blue Cross
• Blue Shield
• AETNA
• CIGNA
• United Healthcare
• HealthNet
• All union-sponsored plans
• Tricare/Triwest
• Medicare
• Medi-Cal/CSS ONLY for the Oakland Children's Hospital Cochlear Implant Program

Frequently Asked Questions About Billing

1. Does Camino ENT accept cash patients?
• Yes, we do, but the balance must be paid in full on the day of the visit.


2. Will you automatically bill my secondary insurance company?
• Yes, but only if we have both your primary and your secondary insurance information in our records.


3. I have a high deductible on my insurance. What if I receive a bill which I am unable to pay immediately?
• Call us. We will work with you. We do not charge interest and have not yet sent a patient to collections.


4. Do insurance companies cover hearing aids?
• Everyone's coverage is different. Our audiologist can explain the differences in coverage, and we will be happy to contact your insurance company for you to determine if a hearing aid is covered.


5. I have just had surgery at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Why am I being billed by three different groups?
• When a patient has surgery at an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), there are three different entities that will bill your insurance company: the surgeon, the ASC itself, and the anesthesiologist. All three entities have different tax ID's and must therefore bill separately for their services. In addition, anything that is removed during surgery is required to go to a pathology lab for testing and the lab will also generate their own bill. If you have any questions regarding your surgery bill, you may contact either our surgery scheduler or our billing department directly by calling 408-227-6300.


6. Why am I receiving a "bill" that says it's not a bill?
• A medical entity sent this "non-bill" to you as a courtesy notice of charges being submitted to your insurance company, simply for your information and records. No action is required of you until you receive a bill stating that you owe a specific amount.


7. Do I need prior authorization to see a doctor at Camino ENT?
• Prior authorization from your primary care physician is only required if you have an HMO plan.


8. Can I get a copy of my medical records or film?
• Your medical records are your own and you can ask us for them at any time.