BILLING
Financial Policies
BILLING
Dr. Hatzakis is an “out of network” physician for commercial insurance (ie., Premera, Aetna, Regence, etc.,). He bills State Labor and Industries, selected self insurers (SIE administrator) for injured workers and PIP carriers for car accidents. He does not participate in Medicare and you cannot send bills to Medicare for reimbursement for his services.
Accessible, quality care:
Dr. Hatzakis rates are typically much less than what hospitals bill and paid by insurance companies, making his care accessible. You pay Dr. Hatzakis directly, and send your “superbill” to your insurance, which will reimburse you as an “out of network” visit at the rate of 50% or more, but not of his fee, but 50% of the “usual and customary fees”. Because his rates are lower than customary charges, insurers may reimburse you a significant proportion of Dr. Hatzakis fees. The scheduling site will hold a credit card when you schedule, and you pay when you are seen, or, pay in advance, saving time during your visit. Insurers will also reimburse for all remote “Telehealth” visits during COVD-19. Dr. Hatzakis’ fees
| Service | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| New Visit | 60 mins | $350 |
| Follow up | 30 mins | $175 |
| Complex follow up | 60 mins | $350 |
| Botox Injection Visit | 20 mins | $175 |
| Routine Injections | At Appt | Add $80 |
| Ultrasound Injections | At Appt | Not Avail |
* Routine office injections: joint injections, tendon injections, trigger point injections, nerve blocks.
*** Referrals and prescriptions made by Dr. Hatzakis are generally covered by your insurance.
Labor and Industries:
Dr. Hatzakis is an approved WA State L&I provider and bills L&I as well as selected self-insurers, for your services. He will manage your claim and all care you require, as your attending physician, or a consultant. You must include (1) Date of injury, (2) Claim number, and (3) if claim is open, in order for Dr. Hatzakis to bill L&I.
Motor Vehicle Collisions:
Dr. Hatzakis will bill PIP (personal injury protection) but when this is exhausted, he will need to bill “out-of-network” rates above. He will ask for a deposit prior to taking on care to cover care not paid for by PIP insurance. You must include (1) Date of injury, (2) Claim number, and (3) if claim is open, in order for Dr. Hatzakis to bill your auto insurance carrier. If you are working with an attorney, have a “lien” account, or have an expired PIP, please contact Dr. Hatzakis first
VALUE
The rising cost of medical care is on everyone’s mind. However, what we really want for our medical care is “value”, that is, compared to what we pay, how effectively is medical care resolving our concern or helping us reach our goals. Whether that is resolving a specific pain, or weakness, or returning back to work, to a sport you love, or performing a basic daily function or to just live in less pain. Effective medical care requires time and patience. Dr. Hatzakis devotes time to listen carefully, examine methodically and discuss treatment options with you thoughtfully, as a partner, something that cannot be done in the 10-15 minute rush of insurance-dictated institutional medicine.
Also, consider the “value” of getting the right diagnosis, with a doctor who takes the time to listen to you carefully, thoughtfully, skillfully, without the procedures, drugs or surgeries that do not directly get you to your best quickly.
Dr. Hatzakis is skilled at managing conditions with conservative care. Such as, exercise, change in body biomechanics, diet, strengthening, selective injections and careful and brief use of medications. By being thoughtful, often Dr. Hatzakis can avoid costly X-Rays, MRI’s and surgeries that do not directly add directly to your progress. How many times did you have an MRI or X-Ray that did not change the course of your treatment? But any referrals Dr. Hatzakis prescribes, such as labs, medications, therapies, surgeries, are generally covered by your insurance with his prescription.
What is the impact of avoiding costly and unnecessary care? Let’s say, for example, you see Dr. Hatzakis four times, a new patient visit and three follow-ups. Not an unusual course of care with Dr. Hatzakis. That comes to $750. Virtually all insurance companies provide “out of network” benefits. That brings the cost down to less than $400, and you may get reimbursed more than 50% of Dr. Hatzakis fees. Say. for example, with his extensive diagnostic skills combined with a conservative approach, you avoid just one MRI that you didn’t need. Co-pay and co-insurance (after deductible is met) is typically 10-20% the costs of imaging and procedures. The typical MRI costs $2000-$3500. Saving one unnecessary MRI, saves between $200 and $700 and you get to your goal faster. That is value.
You also cannot put a price tag on getting the right care, for the right condition, quickly, with the least interventions, or, the confusion of seeing multiple specialists or therapists for a condition that was not guided and coordinated by the right diagnosis and by a doctor skilled at using them.