Ochsner recently transitioned to a new statement vendor. If you have received an older statement, we apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience as we resume our paper statement process. Also, if you would like to move to paperless billing, learn about text and email statements/reminders below on this webpage.
At Ochsner, we choose to offer paperless billing because its more secure, timely, convenient and eco-friendly.
We know that hospital and physician bills along with health insurance claims can be confusing. Additional information about the billing and financial services at Ochsner is provided in this section of our website to help you better understand our patient billing process and to answer some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.
Ochsner is here to help you understand your medical bills and health insurance claims. Watch an overview of how health insurance works.
When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing. Learn more about your rights and protections.
If you have specific questions about your statement, call Ochsners patient account customer service department Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hey there! Dealing with medical bills can be a real headache, right? If you’ve recently visited Lafayette General (now part of Ochsner Health) and received a bill, I’m here to walk you through the payment process. As someone who’s navigated the healthcare billing maze myself, I know how confusing it can get! In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about Lafayette General bill pay options, so you can handle your medical expenses without breaking a sweat.
What Happened to Lafayette General Health?
Before diving into payment details, let’s address the elephant in the room. If you’re searching for “Lafayette General bill pay” and feeling confused here’s why Lafayette General Health has merged with Ochsner Health. This means that billing systems have changed but don’t worry – your options for paying bills have actually expanded!
Quick Bill Pay Options at a Glance
For those in a hurry, here are your main options for paying Lafayette General (now Ochsner) medical bills:
- Online: Through MyOchsner patient portal
- Quick Pay: For non-patients and guest payments
- By Phone: Call 504-842-4190 or toll-free 800-343-0269
- By Mail: Send check payments to the address on your statement
- In Person: Visit any Ochsner facility billing office
Online Bill Pay Through MyOchsner
The easiest way to pay your Lafayette General bill is through the MyOchsner patient portal. This secure online system lets you manage all aspects of your healthcare, including bill payments.
Benefits of Using MyOchsner for Bill Pay:
- 24/7 access to current and past bills
- View detailed statements with amount due and due dates
- Make secure payments anytime
- Set up paperless billing
- Create estimates for certain procedures
- Verify insurance benefits
How to Get Started with MyOchsner:
- Visit the MyOchsner website or download the mobile app
- Click “Sign Up” if you’re a new user
- Follow the registration process (you’ll need your medical record number)
- Once registered, log in and navigate to the billing section
- Select the bill you want to pay
- Choose your payment method and complete the transaction
I personally prefer using the app because I can pay my bills while waiting in line at the grocery store or sitting on my couch watching TV Super convenient!
Quick Pay Option (No Account Needed)
Don’t want to create an account? No problem! Ochsner offers a “Quick Pay” option for one-time payments.
This is perfect if:
- You’re not a regular patient
- You’re paying a bill for someone else
- You just want to make a quick payment without logging in
To use Quick Pay
- Visit the Ochsner website
- Look for the “Pay a Bill” or “Quick Pay” option
- Enter the required information from your billing statement
- Complete your payment using a credit card
Paperless Billing – Save Trees and Hassle
Tired of paper bills cluttering your counter? Switch to paperless billing! It’s environmentally friendly and makes managing your medical expenses much easier.
How Paperless Billing Works:
- You’ll receive an email notification when a new statement is available
- Log in to MyOchsner to view your detailed statement
- Pay your bill securely online
- Access current and past statements anytime
How to Enroll in Paperless Billing:
- Log in to your MyOchsner account
- Navigate to the billing preferences section
- Select the option for paperless billing
- Confirm your email address
- Save your preferences
I switched to paperless billing last year and haven’t missed a payment since. No more lost bills in stacks of mail!
Paying by Phone
If you prefer talking to a real person or don’t have internet access, paying by phone is a great option.
Simply call Ochsner’s customer service department:
- Local: 504-842-4190
- Toll Free: 800-343-0269
Have your billing statement and credit card ready. The customer service representative will guide you through the payment process.
Payment by Mail
Some folks still prefer the traditional way of paying bills by check. If that’s you, here’s what to do:
- Write a check payable to Ochsner Health
- Include your account number on the check (found on your billing statement)
- Detach the payment slip from your statement
- Place both the payment slip and check in the provided envelope
- Mail it to the address listed on your statement
Pro tip: Mail your payment at least 5-7 days before the due date to ensure it arrives on time!
In-Person Payments
If you prefer paying in person (or need to discuss your bill with someone), you can visit any Ochsner facility billing office. Bring your statement and be prepared to pay by check, credit card, or cash.
Understanding How Payments Are Applied
When you make a payment to Ochsner (formerly Lafayette General), here’s how your money is handled:
- Unless specifically indicated, payments are spread across all outstanding account balances
- The system starts with your oldest balance first
- Each billing statement shows payments that have been received and applied
- Zero balance statements aren’t sent unless specifically requested
Need Help with Payment Plans?
Healthcare bills can be expensive, and sometimes paying the full amount isn’t feasible. If you’re struggling to pay your Lafayette General bill, don’t ignore it! Ochsner offers various financial assistance options:
- Payment Plans: Spread your payments over time
- Financial Assistance Programs: Based on income and other factors
- Insurance Verification: Make sure your insurance is properly applied
- Billing Estimates: Get cost estimates before procedures
To discuss these options, call the customer service number on your billing statement.
Special Situations: Ochsner Home Medical Equipment
If your bill is specifically for home medical equipment, there’s a separate payment portal:
- Use the Ochsner home medical equipment patient portal
- View invoices and make payments
- Set up autopay services
- Track payments
Common Bill Pay Questions & Answers
Q: Can I pay someone else’s bill?
A: Yes! You can use the Quick Pay option without creating an account.
Q: What payment methods are accepted?
A: Credit cards, checks, and cash (for in-person payments). Credit card logos are typically shown at the top of your statement.
Q: How can I get a copy of a past bill?
A: Log in to MyOchsner to view past statements or call customer service.
Q: What if I think there’s a mistake on my bill?
A: Contact customer service immediately to discuss any billing concerns.
Q: Can I get an itemized statement?
A: Yes, you can request an itemized statement through MyOchsner or by calling customer service.
Making the Most of MyOchsner for Billing Management
Beyond simple bill payments, MyOchsner offers several features to help manage your healthcare finances:
Create Your Own Estimates
Using the MyOchsner website or mobile app, you can:
- Create estimates for certain procedures
- Verify benefits quickly and securely
- Plan for upcoming healthcare expenses
This feature helps avoid billing surprises after receiving care.
Guest Estimate Options
Even non-patients can create self-pay or guest estimates for certain services. Though you can’t save these estimates and will need to manually enter insurance information, it’s still helpful for planning purposes.
Final Thoughts on Lafayette General Bill Pay
Since Lafayette General joined Ochsner Health, patients have gained access to more robust billing and payment options. While change can be confusing, the expanded services make handling your medical expenses easier than ever before.
Remember, if you’re having trouble paying your bill, reach out to discuss your options. Healthcare providers would rather work with you on a payment solution than send your account to collections.
Have you tried any of these payment methods? I personally find the MyOchsner app super convenient for managing my family’s healthcare bills. Whatever method you choose, the important thing is finding a system that works for you and keeping those medical bills paid on time!
Additional Resources
If you need more information or assistance with Lafayette General (Ochsner) bill payments:
- Visit ochsner.org/patients-visitors/billing-and-financial-services/pay-your-bill/
- Call customer service: 504-842-4190 or 800-343-0269
- Visit any Ochsner facility billing office for in-person assistance
Taking control of your medical bills is an important part of managing your healthcare journey. With these convenient options, paying your Lafayette General bill has never been easier!
Contact us by mail:
Ochsner Health Patient Financial Services 1514 Jefferson Highway New Orleans, LA 70121
