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Understanding Your Healthcare Costs

Billing Estimates

As part of Ochsner’s continued commitment to improving our price transparency for consumers and empowering patients through better access to price information, we offer convenient online cost estimates through MyOchsner as well as additional options.

Benefits of Estimates through your MyOchsner Account

  • The estimate uses your insurance information on file so you will not have to input it manually.
  • The estimate can be saved to your MyOchsner account for future reference.

Online Cost Estimator

You can create your own estimates for up to 300 of the most common services and procedures through the MyOchsner web portal or the MyOchsner mobile app. From the MyOchsner “Menu”, go to the “Billing” section and select “Estimates” and “Create a new estimate” to get an estimate from one of our locations near you.

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Request Your Personalized Estimate

Answer a few questions about your schedule care and health insurance coverage and our team of financial counselors will follow-up with a personalized cost estimate.

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Online Guest Estimate

You can create your own estimates for up to 300 of the most common services and procedures through the MyOchsner web portal or the MyOchsner mobile app. From the MyOchsner “Menu”, go to the “Billing” section and select “Estimates” and “Create a new estimate” to get an estimate from one of our locations near you.

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Understanding Your Insurance

Baffled by premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums? We know that medical bills and health insurance claims can be confusing.

Watch an overview of how health insurance works.

Common Insurance Terms

These terms can help you with understanding your out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services that are not covered by your insurance benefits.

  • Deductible is the dollar amount you must pay toward your healthcare expenses before your benefits plan begins to pay its share.
  • Copay (or Copayment) is the fixed dollar amount of healthcare costs for which you are responsible. This is usually a flat dollar amount based on a particular service.
  • Coinsurance is your share of healthcare costs that you are responsible for paying. This is paid after the deductible is met for the year.
  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum is the most you will have to pay on your own for your healthcare. This includes your coinsurance and deductible. Afterwards, your insurance company will cover 100% of the covered costs.

How is Insurance Applied to Healthcare Services?

For example, if you have a health plan with a $1000 deductible, 20% coinsurance, and a $6000 out-of-pocket maximum. If you had a $50,000 medical bill, you can expect the following to happen:

  • Deductible: Your $1000 deductible is paid first. That leaves $5000 before reaching your out-of-pocket maximum.
  • Copay (or Copayment): This is the fixed dollar amount of healthcare costs for which you are responsible. This is usually a flat dollar amount based on a particular service.
  • Coinsurance: Based on 20% coinsurance, you pay $1000 for every $4000 paid by your insurance company. For the next $25,000 in covered medical expenses, you pay $5000 and your insurance company pays $20,000.
  • Out-of-Pocket Maximum: After you’ve paid your $1000 deductible and $5000 in coinsurance, you’ve reached your $6000 out-of-pocket maximum.

Call us directly at 504-703-2773 or 855-241-9351 if you have any questions about the pricing and billing estimates.

Please note, all billing estimates are based on information provided by a prospective patient and do not include, among other things, any unforeseen complications, additional tests or procedures, and non-hospital related charges, any of which may increase the ultimate cost of the services provided. A final bill for services rendered at Ochsner Health may differ from the information provided by this website, and Ochsner Health shall not be liable for any differences.

Click here to view our Patient Financial Responsibility Estimate Policy.

Answers to Questions about Billing Estimates

What is usually included in a service estimate?

Estimates are based on what specific procedures normally cost, including doctor and facility fees and supplies. Actual costs may vary because there is no way to predict exactly what services will be needed. Included in the estimates are anticipated fees for items such as room and board, operating rooms, anesthesia, surgeons and when applicable, assistant surgeons. Charges such as pre-surgical consultations, tests and other supplies are not included in the estimate.

What services are included in my estimate?

The estimate includes estimated room and board (for inpatients), supplies, nursing care, equipment use, nutritional services, and any services handled by the staff of the hospital within the walls of the hospital. It does not include services listed below:

  • Physicians providing you with services related to your hospital stay or visit will bill you separately. This can include fees related to specialists, anesthesiologists, pathologists, and radiologists.

I have more questions about surgical estimates. Who can I call?

  • You may call us at 504-703-2773 or 855-241-9351. You may also request additional information in person from one of our financial counselors located across the system in the hospital locations and clinics.

If I have health insurance, how much will I owe?

The amount you owe depends on your insurance plan. Coverage benefits can differ greatly from plan to plan. If you have health insurance, you should contact your insurance company directly to determine what your coverage will be. You may be asked to provide a procedure code, which can be obtained from your physician's office.

When I call for an estimate, what information do I need to have available?

Before completing this form, contact your physician's office to get the best description possible of the service that you need and its procedure code. Then, if you have insurance, contact your insurance company and confirm that the services required are "covered services" under your specific plan. If they are “not covered", then you would be considered "uninsured" for these services. When you complete the inquiry form, please have the following information so we may provide you with our best estimate of your financial responsibility:

  • Description of services needed - Include as much information as possible about the specific services needed as described by your physician.
  • Type of services needed - For example, will you be admitted to the hospital as an inpatient overnight, or expect to be treated on an outpatient basis.
  • Physician/Specialist Name - For example, if you are having surgery, enter the surgeon's name.
  • If you have insurance, include the following:
    • Your current insurance card - Please provide the name of insurance company, type of policy (e.g. HMO, PPO, POS, Indemnity), policy holder's name, group name and number, policy number, and insurance company phone number.
    • Policy holder's personal information

Does an estimate expire?

Yes, estimates expire after 30 days. If your estimate is older than 30 days, you may call us at 504-703-2773 or 855-241-9351 for an updated estimate.

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Want a Billing Estimate Before Your Visit?

Create your own estimate for the most common services and procedures through the MyOchsner web portal or the MyOchsner mobile app.


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