November 10, 2022
 
Dear Via Community,

I am writing to review several upcoming changes to our clinic policies. As a small business, we try to be as accommodating as possible to our patient community.   At times, especially during the pandemic, this included being more lenient regarding collecting outstanding balances and providing significant amounts of care outside of billable appointments. While I would love to continue to extend these options, it is no longer feasible for the clinic. 
 
In order to continue accepting insurance and to keep our current self-pay rates, I have updated our billing policies effective immediately to reflect the current cost of providing the outstanding care you have come to expect from Via.  

Account Balance

All balances are due at the time of service or invoice receipt.  

• We are pleased to continue to offer the convenience of using a credit card on file for payments.  Please always keep an active card on file to avoid unnecessary late fees. 
• We will charge copays and self-pay fees on the day of your visit. 
• If you want to use a different payment method or need to update your card on file, please tell us at the time of your appointment or go to http://www.theviacenter.com/currentpatients.html to fill out the Credit Card on File form.
• DO NOT send us your card information by text or through Elation Passport.
• Coinsurance and deductible amounts are not known until the claim has been processed. For your convenience, all coinsurance/deductible balances under $100 are automatically charged to your card on file.  We will send you an invoice  if the balance is over $100.  We will charge your card on file one week after you receive your invoice unless you contact us with a different form of payment.   

Outstanding balances:

• After 30 days of the invoice, you will be billed a late fee of $35 per month for any outstanding balances. We thus ask you to pay your balance as soon as you receive the invoice. 
• Accounts with outstanding balances after 90 days will be sent to collections. Please pay all balances on time to avoid this.    

 
If someone else pays your bill:

• YOU are responsible for forwarding the invoice to the person paying your bill. 
• We will ONLY notify YOU of the balance. Please avoid a late fee by alerting the person in charge of paying your bill immediately.  

Concierge Fee
We strive to provide exceptional care during and after business hours, in-person and virtually. To do so, we require significant administrative support so that your needs can be addressed quickly and accurately.   These services, including filling out paperwork, providing after-hours communication and more, directly impact patient care but are not covered by health insurance.  This is a unique offering of The Via Center that adds incredible value to your care as we are responsive and timely in addressing your concerns. 
 
Thus, your card on file will be charged a concierge fee of $10 at the beginning of each month starting January, 2023.   This fee covers all the administrative tasks that enable us to provide high quality care for you. Before the end of January, 20203, if you let us know that you would like to pay the full year’s fees upfront, you can pay a total of $110 for savings of $10. This is not available after the end of January, 2023.


It is our privilege to continue providing care for you! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,


Vered Cohen, MD
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist
Owner, The Via Center, PC