Are you struggling to figure out how to pay your Borgess hospital bill? You’re not alone! Since Borgess became part of Ascension Health, the billing system has changed and it can be confusing to navigate. As someone who’s had to deal with these medical bills myself, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about Borgess bill pay options.
The Evolution from Borgess to Ascension
First things first, if your searching for “Borgess bill pay,” you should know that Borgess Health is now part of Ascension Michigan. This means that all billing is handled through Ascension’s payment systems. This change happened a few years back, but many folks in the Kalamazoo area and beyond still refer to it as Borgess.
When I first received a bill after this transition I was confused too! I was looking for the Borgess website but kept getting redirected to Ascension pages. That’s normal and exactly what should happen.
Online Bill Pay Options for Borgess/Ascension
The easiest way to pay your Borgess medical bills is through Ascension’s online portal Here’s how you can do it
- Visit the Ascension VisitPay portal at https://www.ascension.visitpay.com/
- Create an account if you haven’t already
- Link your medical bills using your account number (found on your statement)
- Choose your payment method and submit your payment
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed the site requires Javascript to be enabled. If you see a message saying “This site requires Javascript. We have detected that you have disabled Javascript. Please enable Javascript to continue,” you’ll need to adjust your browser settings before proceeding.
Alternative Payment Methods for Borgess Bills
Not everyone prefers online payments, and Ascension Michigan offers several other ways to pay your Borgess hospital bills:
- By Phone: Call the customer service number on your bill
- By Mail: Send a check to the address provided on your statement
- In Person: Visit the hospital’s billing department during business hours
I personally prefer the online method because it’s quicker and I can do it at 2 AM when I’m randomly remembering to pay bills, but everyone has their preference!
Setting Up Payment Plans
One thing I really appreciate about the Ascension payment system is the ability to set up payment plans. Hospital bills can be overwhelming and sometimes you just can’t pay it all at once.
Through the VisitPay portal, you can:
- Review all your outstanding balances
- Request a customized payment plan
- Set up automatic monthly payments
- Track your payment history
When I had an unexpected surgery last year, I was able to spread my payments over 12 months with no interest. It was a huge relief during a stressful time.
Common Borgess Bill Pay Problems & Solutions
Let me share some common issues people face with Borgess/Ascension bill pay and how to resolve them:
Website Access Issues
If you’re having trouble accessing the payment portal:
- Check that Javascript is enabled in your browser
- Try a different browser (Chrome or Firefox usually work best)
- Clear your browser cache and cookies
Missing Bills in Your Portal
Sometimes not all bills show up in your online account. This happened to me once and I panicked thinking I had missed a payment. If this happens:
- Contact customer service with your account number
- Ask them to link any missing statements to your online profile
- Request a paper copy of any bills not showing online
Payment Confirmation Problems
After making a payment, you should receive a confirmation number and email. If you don’t:
- Take a screenshot of the payment page if possible
- Check your bank account to see if the payment was processed
- Contact customer service with your payment details
Financial Assistance for Borgess Medical Bills
Many people don’t realize that Ascension offers financial assistance programs that might reduce or even eliminate your Borgess medical bills.
When my cousin lost his job last year, he qualified for a 75% reduction on his hospital bill. The process requires submitting some financial documentation, but it was totally worth it for him.
You can apply for financial assistance:
- Online through the Ascension website
- By requesting an application by phone
- In person at the financial counseling office
Understanding Your Borgess Medical Bill
Medical bills can be confusing with all their codes and terminology. Here’s a quick guide to understanding your Borgess/Ascension bill:
- Account Number: Your unique identifier for all billing matters
- Service Date: When you received medical care
- CPT/HCPCS Codes: Standard codes for medical procedures
- Charges: The full price before insurance
- Adjustments: Discounts applied by your insurance
- Patient Responsibility: What you actually owe
I remember the first time I got a detailed hospital bill, I was shocked at the initial charges before insurance adjustments. Don’t panic when you see those large numbers – focus on the “patient responsibility” amount.
Frequently Asked Questions About Borgess Bill Pay
Can I pay someone else’s Borgess medical bill?
Yes! You can pay bills for family members through the Ascension portal. You’ll need their account number and some identifying information.
How long do I have to pay my Borgess bill?
Typically, you have 30 days from the statement date, but Ascension is usually willing to work with patients on payment arrangements.
Will my unpaid Borgess bill affect my credit score?
Eventually, yes. Ascension typically sends unpaid bills to collections after multiple attempts to collect. This can impact your credit score, so it’s best to communicate with them if you’re having trouble paying.
Can I use HSA/FSA funds to pay my Borgess bill?
Absolutely! Medical bills are qualified expenses for Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.
My Personal Experience with Borgess Bill Pay
Last winter, I had to visit the Borgess Emergency Room (or I guess I should say Ascension Borgess ER now). The care was excellent, but dealing with the bills afterward was a bit confusing.
I received multiple bills from different departments – one from the hospital, one from the physician group, and another for lab work. At first, I thought they were duplicates, but they were actually separate charges that all needed to be paid.
Through the Ascension VisitPay portal, I was able to see all these charges in one place and set up a payment plan that worked for my budget. The system was actually pretty straightforward once I got it set up.
Tips for Managing Borgess Medical Bills
Based on my experience and research, here are some tips for dealing with your Borgess/Ascension bills:
- Don’t ignore bills, even if you can’t pay them right away
- Always check your bills against your insurance Explanation of Benefits
- Keep all payment confirmations until you receive your next statement
- Set calendar reminders for payment plan due dates
- Ask for an itemized bill if something doesn’t make sense
Conclusion
Navigating the Borgess bill pay system through Ascension might seem complicated at first, but it’s actually designed to give patients more flexibility and control over their medical payments.
The most important thing to remember is that “Borgess bill pay” now means using Ascension’s payment systems, primarily through their VisitPay portal at https://www.ascension.visitpay.com/. If you run into any issues, their customer service team is generally helpful and can guide you through the process.
Have you had experience with Borgess or Ascension billing? What worked for you? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Remember, staying proactive about medical bills is always better than ignoring them. Even if you can’t pay right away, reaching out to discuss options is your best path forward.
Patient Rights and Ethics
| Measure name | Leapfrog’s Standard | Hospital’s Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Billing Ethics |
Hospitals should provide patients with complete billing information and access to a representative that can quickly resolve billing issues. In addition, hospitals should not sue patients over late or unpaid bills. more |
 SOME ACHIEVEMENT |
| Show more on this hospital’s performance Show less
This hospital provides a detailed bill within 30 days of receiving insurance payments: No This hospital provides access to a representative who can quickly investigate billing errors and establish payment plans: Yes This hospital sues patients: No |
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| Health Care Equity |
Hospitals should examine their own data to identify any differences in processes or outcomes for patients of different races and ethnicities, and patients who speak different languages. Hospitals should also put action plans in place if differences are identified. more |
 ACHIEVED THE STANDARD |
| Informed Consent |
Hospitals should ensure that all patients are fully aware of risks and alternatives prior to procedures. more |
SOME ACHIEVEMENT |
| Show more on this hospital’s performance Show less
All staff involved in the informed consent process achieve the appropriate training: Yes Doctors explain expected difficulties and recovery time and allow patients to ask questions: Yes Doctors involved in the procedure are listed on the consent form, and patients are notified if the doctor will be absent and if trainees will be involved: Yes Consent forms are written at a 6th grade reading level: No Staff ask patients about their preferred language for decision-making and make a trained medical interpreter available if appropriate: Yes Doctors use the “teach back method” to ensure patients understand what will be performed and what are the risks: Yes |
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| Responding to Never Events |
Hospitals should have a never events policy that includes all nine (9) actions that should occur following a “never event,” which includes apologizing to the patient and not charging for costs associated with the never event. more |
ACHIEVED THE STANDARD |
| Patient and Family Caregiver Initiated Rapid Response Team | This hospital does have a patient and family caregiver initiated rapid response team. more |
| Protocol to collect and respond to patient-reported concerns about care | This hospital does have a protocol to collect and respond to patient-reported concerns about care. more |
| Measure name | Leapfrog’s Standard | Hospital’s Progress | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Medication Ordering |
Hospitals should enter at least 85% of inpatient medication orders through the CPOE system, and should fully demonstrate their CPOE system meets the national safety standard for decision support. more |
ACHIEVED THE STANDARD |
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| Show more on this hospital’s performance Show less
This hospitals percentage of inpatient medication orders entered electronically: 85% or greater This hospitals score on the CPOE Evaluation Tool: Full Demonstration of National Safety Standard for Decision Support |
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| Medication Reconciliation |
Hospitals should have a rate of unintentional medication discrepancies per medication that is lower than or equal to the 50th percentile (where lower performance is better) nationally. more |
SOME ACHIEVEMENT |
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| Show more on this hospital’s performance Show less
This hospitals rate of unintentional discrepancies per medication is: 0.231 |
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| Safe Medication Administration |
Hospitals should have nurses and other clinicians use BCMA in all medical/surgical units, intensive care units, labor and delivery units, pre-operative and post-anesthesia care units to scan the patient and medication prior to administration at least 95% of the time. The BCMA system includes decision support to prevent errors and the hospital has processes to prevent workarounds. more |
 CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENT |
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Show more on this hospital’s performance Show less
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| Medication Documentation for Elective Outpatient Surgery Patients |
Hospitals should document 90% or more of home medications, visit medications, and allergies/adverse reaction(s) in the patients’ clinical record. more |
 DECLINED TO RESPOND |
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| Measure name | Leapfrog’s Standard | Hospital’s Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Specially Trained Doctors Care for Critical Care Patients |
Hospitals should have intensivists present on-site at least eight hours a day, seven days per week or have intensivists present via 24/7 telemedicine with some on-site intensivist presence. When not in the ICU, the intensivist immediately responds to calls and has another physician or trained clinician who can immediately reach the patient. more |
ACHIEVED THE STANDARD |
| Show more on this hospital’s performance Show less
This hospital achieved the standard using on-site intensivist coverage. |
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| Measure name | Leapfrog’s Standard | Hospital’s Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Experience of Children and Their Parents |
Hospitals should perform better than most hospitals in five (5) areas:
more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Radiation Dose for Pediatric Abdomen/Pelvis Scans |
Hospitals should have an average radiation dose for routine pediatric CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis that falls within national benchmarks. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Radiation Dose for Pediatric Head Scans |
Hospitals should have an average radiation dose for routine pediatric CT scans of the head that falls within national benchmarks. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Congenital Heart Surgery for Infants (Norwood Procedure) |
Hospitals should perform at least 8 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 5 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Number of Live Births | The hospital had 466 live births (i.e., liveborn infants) at this hospital location for the reporting time period. more |
| Midwives | This hospital does have certified nurse-midwives and/or certified midwives deliver newborns. more |
| Doulas | This hospital allows patients to bring their own doulas. more |
| Lactation Services | This hospital offers lactation services in the hospital, in the outpatient setting, and at home after discharge. more |
| Vaginal Delivery After Cesarean Section (VBAC) | This hospital does offer vaginal delivery after cesarean section (VBAC). more |
| Tubal Ligation | This hospital does not offer tubal ligation during the labor and delivery admission. more |
| Policy to Prevent Early Elective Deliveries |
This hospital does have a policy to prevent early elective deliveries. more |
| Measure name | Leapfrog’s Standard | Hospital’s Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Carotid Endarterectomy |
Hospitals should perform at least 20 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 10 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement |
Hospitals should perform at least 40 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 20 procedures annually. In addition, hospitals should participate in a national clinical registry and achieve the same or better outcomes when compared to others who also perform this procedure. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Open Aortic Procedures |
Hospitals should perform at least 10 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 7 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss |
Hospitals should perform at least 50 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 20 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Esophageal Resection for Cancer |
Hospitals should perform at least 20 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 7 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Lung Resection for Cancer |
Hospitals should perform at least 40 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 15 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Pancreatic Resection for Cancer |
The hospital performs at least 20 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensures that each surgeon performs at least 10 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Rectal Cancer Surgery |
Hospitals should perform at least 16 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 6 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Total Knee Replacement Surgery |
Hospitals should perform at least 50 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 25 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Total Hip Replacement Surgery |
Hospitals should perform at least 50 procedures annually, and as part of their process for privileging surgeons, ensure that each surgeon performs at least 25 procedures annually. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
| Safe Surgery Checklist – Complex Surgery |
Hospitals should go through all the elements of a complete safe surgery checklist on all patients every time a surgery is performed. more |
DECLINED TO RESPOND |
