Surgical Associates of Columbus, P.C.

Hospital and Health Plan Affiliations

At Surgical Associates of Columbus, we maintain affiliations with several area hospitals and health plans.  The list below is current as of March 2000.  In addition to the plans listed, we work with and accept patients from a number of employer sponsored health plans and managed care plans.  If you have any questions regarding participation of our physicians with your specific health plan, you should first check with your employer benefits manager.  If they cannot provide you with a definite answer, feel free to call our insurance department at (706)649-6616.  You will need your insurance card handy to provide information regarding your plan to our staff.

All of our physicians are fully credentialed and privileged at the following area hospitals:

  • The Medical Center
  • St. Francis Hospital
  • Doctor's Hospital

We do not provide surgical services at Phenix Regional Hospital or Hughston Sports Medicine Hospital.

All of our physicians are participating providers in the following health plans:

  • Medicare
  • Railroad Medicare
  • Georgia Medicaid
  • Alabama Medicaid
  • Blue Choice HMO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (PPO and POS)
  • Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (as non-PMD providers only)
  • Evergreen Health Plan (HMO)

  • Evergreen Health Group (PPO) which includes the following:
    Private Healthcare Systems, AFLAC, Beech Street, Capp Care, Cigna, Humana, Coca Cola Bottling Company, Fieldcrest Mills, Mail Handlers, Healthstar, Kysor-Warren, Managed Care Inc., Medical Resource Network, Preferred Plan of Georgia and numerous others...

  • Synovus and Total Systems employer sponsored health plan.
  • Peachcare for Kids
  • Affordable Healthcare Network (now known as First Health)
  • Georgia First

 

Health plans frequently change their preferred facilities and physician provider panels.  We make every effort to keep this listing up to date, but appearance of your plan on this list does not guarantee current participation.

About Insurance Coverage

 Health insurance was designed to protect against illness and injury that might otherwise be financially devastating.  Unfortunately, most insurance companies never intended to pay the entire bill.  Instead, they often build in requirements that must be met in order for you to receive full coverage.  Many have pre-certification provisions, which requires us to notify the plan before you undergo a surgical procedure.  Some plans stipulate that you use a certain hospital or medical facility to receive your full benefit.

Most health insurance plans also have provisions that call for financial responsibility on your part.  Insurance companies may require that you pay a set deductible amount each year of several hundred dollars, plus a copayment on the surgical charges for both hospital and outpatient or office services.

At the time your surgery is scheduled, we will fully inform you about the probable charge for your surgery and help you estimate the charge you may personally incur based on your insurance plan provisions.  We will ask you for payment before surgery of any copayment or deductible amounts.  We will be happy to accept your authorization for payment from MasterCard, VISA or Discover Card.  

As a courtesy, we will file your claim for you and are happy to accept assignment of your insurance benefits.  This means that you will allow the insurance company to pay us directly, instead of you.  We will then bill you if there are any charges not paid by the insurance carrier or not covered by your copayment.

Surgical Associates of Columbus, PC
920 18th Street
Columbus, GA  31901
(706) 649-6600

    Home, What we do, Our Surgeons, Our Office, Our Vascular Lab, Our Future