The business of paying for healthcare hasn’t been taking care of itself as an industry when it comes to joining the connected economy — or even taking precursory steps to do so. But that’s changing fast.
As it did in so many other areas, the pandemic cast a somewhat harsh spotlight on how antiquated the system is — and the problems that it causes. Recognizing that banking customers in the healthcare space were feeling pain from the disconnect, Bank of America acquired Axia Technologies (AxiaMed was the marketing name) and the marketing name is now Healthcare Payment Solutions.
Healthcare Payment Solutions co-founder Kevin Kidd is now senior vice president and executive lead, healthcare strategy at the nation’s second-largest bank, where he’s helping lead the charge to modernize healthcare payments.
Seeing inefficiencies everywhere in his past life as a lawyer with healthcare providers and healthcare IT clients, Kidd told Karen Webster, “That was the birth of the initial business idea for Healthcare Payment Solutions. What I saw was the fact that the healthcare providers were using healthcare software systems that often didn’t have good consumer payment technologies built in. There are a lot of reasons for that. Healthcare is typically slow to adopt new technologies. It also can be slow with adopting new processes.”
Like the proverbial frog sitting unaware in a pot set to boil, the problems arose almost imperceptibly over decades as more health cost obligations were shifted to patients.
“Originally, patients were only paying a very small part of the overall payment,” he said. “Since the collections process and the technology were so time-consuming and costly, providers weren’t as focused on collecting the payments since the effort wasn’t worth the small amounts they were owed in the past.”
Joking that he recently received a paper refund check from a health system totaling $1.37, Kidd said, “It took them a year to figure out that they owed me money. Then they sent a check in the mail for $1.37. It probably cost them $20 to send that check. Today, patients pay a much larger share of the overall healthcare costs and therefore, providers are more acutely aware of the inefficiencies caused by an outdated payments infrastructure.
Moreover, he said, “providers are now more reliant on getting paid by the patients in order to meet their margins while providing the right level of care. Technology is catching up for providers to basically collect from patients, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Are you holding an invoice from Axia Women’s Health and wondering about the easiest way to pay it? You’re not alone! Managing healthcare bills can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Axia has created several convenient options to make this process as smooth as possible for their patients.
As someone who’s navigated the healthcare system many times, I’ve learned that understanding your payment options saves both time and stress. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Axia bill pay services.
What is Axia Women’s Health?
Before getting into payment details, let’s quickly cover what Axia Women’s Health actually is. Axia is a women’s healthcare provider network offering comprehensive services across multiple states. They focus on providing specialized care for women at various life stages.
Their philosophy centers on making healthcare more accessible and convenient – which extends to their billing processes too!
Axia Bill Pay Options by State
One thing I’ve noticed about Axia is that they organize their billing options by state, making it easier for patients to find exactly what applies to them. Let’s break down the payment options available for patients in each state:
Pennsylvania Patients
Pennsylvania residents have two primary payment methods:
- Pay Online Now – A convenient digital option
- Call (800) 355-0913 – For those who prefer speaking with a representative
If you have questions about your bill you can call the same number to speak with a customer service representative.
New Jersey Patients
Similarly, New Jersey patients also have two main options:
- Pay Online Now – Through their secure portal
- Call (800) 355-0913 – For payment by phone
Indiana Patients
Indiana patients get an additional payment option:
- Pay Online Now – Digital payment portal
- Call (800) 355-0913 – Payment by phone
- Pay With Your Care Credit – Using healthcare credit for payments
Kentucky Patients
Kentucky residents have two standard options:
- Pay Online Now – Through their digital portal
- Note: Former patients of Seven Hills Women’s Health Centers should use a different link (specified on their website)
- Call (800) 355-0913 – For phone payments
Ohio Patients
Ohio patients can
- Pay Online Now – Through their online system
- Call (800) 355-0913 – For questions or payment assistance
Important Fee Information to Know
Here’s something really important that applies to all states – there’s a 2.99% surcharge added to all credit card payments. This fee equals Axia’s processing costs.
If you wanna avoid this surcharge, you have two options:
- Pay using a check
- Use a debit card instead of credit
For check payments, just mail it to the address listed on your invoice. Super simple!
Why Choose Online Bill Pay?
I personally prefer online bill payment whenever possible, and here’s why you might too:
Advantages of Axia’s Online Payment System
- 24/7 Accessibility – No need to wait for business hours
- Immediate Confirmation – Get instant receipt of payment
- Secure Transactions – Protected personal and financial information
- Record Keeping – Digital trail of your payment history
- Time Saving – No need to mail checks or wait on hold
Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your Axia Bill Online
If you’re not super tech-savvy, don’t worry! Here’s a simple breakdown of how to pay your Axia bill online:
- Visit the Axia Payment Portal – Go to axiawh.com/paymybill/
- Select Your State – Click on the state where you received services
- Choose “Pay Online Now” – This will redirect you to the secure payment portal
- Enter Your Information – You’ll need:
- Your account number (found on your invoice)
- Patient information
- Payment details
- Review and Submit – Double-check everything before finalizing
- Save Your Confirmation – Keep the confirmation number for your records
Alternative Payment Methods
Not comfortable with online payments? No problem! Axia provides several alternatives:
Phone Payments
Call the customer service line at (800) 355-0913 to make a payment with a representative. They can walk you through the entire process and answer any questions you might have about your bill.
Check Payments
If you prefer the traditional route, you can mail a check to the address listed on your invoice. Just remember to:
- Write your account number on the check
- Include any payment stub from your invoice
- Allow sufficient time for mail delivery and processing
Understanding Your Axia Bill
Sometimes the most confusing part isn’t paying the bill – it’s understanding what you’re being charged for! Here’s a quick guide to reading your Axia invoice:
- Service Description – Lists the specific services provided
- Date of Service – When you received the care
- Charges – The cost for each service
- Insurance Payments – What your insurance covered
- Patient Responsibility – Your portion after insurance
If something doesn’t look right or you’re confused about any charges, don’t hesitate to call the customer service number for clarification.
Frequently Asked Questions About Axia Bill Pay
Do I need to create an account to pay online?
While creating an account can make future payments easier, many healthcare billing systems allow for one-time payments without account creation. You’ll need your account number from your invoice either way.
Is there a payment deadline?
Payment deadlines are typically listed on your invoice. If you’re unable to pay the full amount by the due date, contact customer service to discuss potential payment plans.
What if I believe there’s an error on my bill?
Contact Axia’s billing department at (800) 355-0913 immediately to discuss any potential errors. Have your invoice handy when you call.
Can someone else pay my bill for me?
Yes! A family member or friend can pay on your behalf. They’ll need your account information from your invoice.
What payment types are accepted?
Axia accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and checks. Remember that credit card payments incur a 2.99% surcharge, while debit card payments and checks do not.
Setting Up Payment Plans
Can’t pay your entire bill at once? Don’t stress! Many healthcare providers, including Axia, offer payment plan options. Here’s what to do:
- Contact the Billing Department – Call (800) 355-0913
- Explain Your Situation – Be honest about your financial circumstances
- Discuss Available Options – They can outline possible payment plans
- Get Agreement in Writing – Make sure you understand all terms
Keeping Track of Your Medical Expenses
Staying organized with medical bills is super important, especially during tax season! Here are some tips:
- Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for medical expenses
- Save all payment confirmations
- Request itemized receipts for your records
- Consider using a spreadsheet to track payments throughout the year
Final Thoughts on Axia Bill Pay
Axia Women’s Health has clearly put effort into making their billing process as patient-friendly as possible. With multiple payment options available across different states, patients can choose the method that works best for their situation.
Remember that if you ever have questions or concerns about your bill, their customer service team is just a phone call away at (800) 355-0913. They’re there to help!
Healthcare billing doesn’t have to be a headache. With these straightforward payment options, Axia is demonstrating their commitment to not just quality healthcare, but quality customer service as well.
Summary
Axia Women’s Health offers various bill payment options depending on your state:
- Online payments through their secure portal
- Phone payments via their customer service line
- Check payments mailed to the address on your invoice
- Care Credit (for Indiana patients)
Remember that credit card payments include a 2.99% surcharge, while debit cards and checks don’t have this additional fee.
Whether you’re tech-savvy and prefer digital solutions or more comfortable with traditional payment methods, Axia has created a system to accommodate your needs. That’s what I call patient-centered care!
Have you used Axia’s bill pay system? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Curing Payment Experience
The patient-as-payer model is giving rise to the much-discussed consumerization of healthcare, which went from buzzword to best practice as fast as you can say “novel coronavirus.”
With BoA having many clients across the healthcare spectrum, Kidd said there’s a more serious push to embrace consumerization by providers and payers, including hiring executive leadership focused on patient experience and consumerization.
Noting that simplicity is a prescription for painless payments, Kidd said that healthcare providers playing debt collector could leave a bad taste in patients’ mouths.
“We’ve all had that experience where we have an appointment or procedure and we have no idea what we’re going to pay. We make some level of payment at the office, but we don’t exactly know how much it’s going to cover. We receive a bill from the provider and an Explanation of benefits (EOB). They don’t match. We even get another bill after we’ve paid an amount, and we owe more. Then after we pay the larger amount, we find out that [we’re owed] a refund and we can’t get paid very well.”
BoA’s payments solution is an open, integrated payment platform that software partners can use to integrate omnichannel payments into their electronic health record (EHR) and billing applications.
“When a patient comes in, or even when they schedule, there are partners of ours that can take in some data as to why the patient is going to see the provider and it can provide an estimate of what they’re going to owe.”
With PYMNTS research finding a clear correlation between cost unknowns and patients foregoing care, accurate estimates are a big deliverable for many stakeholders post-pandemic.
