Practical Information — Billing and Insurance
West Virginia University Hospitals operates from revenues collected from patients, insurance companies, and other agencies. It receives no tax support. As a patient, you may request itemized billing and will receive monthly statements of your account with the hospital.
It is important for you to understand that your hospital bill does not include charges for physicians' care. You will receive two separate bills -- one from WVU Hospitals and one from University Health Associates (UHA) for physicians' services.
Your Hospital Bill
Your hospital bill will include charges for:
- the cost of your room
- medications
- laboratory services
- X-rays
- medical supplies
- other services
If you have questions about your hospital bill, you may check with the Cashier's Office on Level 1, or call 598-4032 or 1-800-368-6362. Patients who have not completed their insurance information while at the hospital will be responsible for paying their bill within 30 days after receiving their first statement.
As a courtesy, the hospital will file a claim with your insurance company, based on the insurance information you provide. However, payment for services is your responsibility, and we encourage you to see that your insurance company makes timely payments on your behalf.
Our counselors and customer service staff are familiar with many programs that provide financial assistance and will help you apply for assistance. To be considered for any assistance, you will have to complete a financial statement.
Physicians’ Charges
Charges for physicians' care will be mailed to you by UHA. Billing by UHA includes fees for the doctors directly responsible for your care, as well as those who interpret tests, read X-rays, and perform other services.
Be sure you understand how your insurance policy covers your physicians' bills. The coverage of these bills is different from coverage for hospital charges. If you have questions, check your UHA bill for an address and telephone number or call 293-7401 or 800-541-4009.
For Your Convenience
To help make your hospital stay a little easier, many services are available on site. From the gift shop to the barber shop, we offer a variety of amenities for patients, family members, and visitors
Banking Machines
Automated teller machines (ATMs) are located outside the cafeteria entrance near the vending machines on Level 4 and on Level 4 of the Physician Office Center. An ATM is also located by the dental clinic in Health Sciences North.
Barber Shop
The Barber Shop on the first floor of the Health Sciences Building offers haircuts, styling, shaves, and other services for patients and visitors from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The barber will provide services to patients in their rooms if needed. For an appointment, call 293-2569.
Cafeteria
The Cafeteria, located on Level 4, is open the following hours:
Monday through Friday
6:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
2 a.m. - 4 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday
6:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
2 a.m. - 4 a.m.
An espresso bar is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the hospital's West Lobby. A vending machines area located near the Cafeteria is always open.
Change
Change can be obtained from the Cashier's office on level 1 or from the cashiers in the cafeteria.
Chapel
Chaplains
The hospital chapel, located in the east lobby area, is open 24 hours a day. An ecumenical meditation and prayer service is held each Sunday morning. Ask the nurse or unit clerk for the time.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop on Level 1 is operated by the Friends of West Virginia University Hospitals. The shop offers cards, stamps, flowers, magazines, snacks, personal care products, and gift items.
For those unable to visit the Gift Shop, volunteers wheel a shopping cart to patient rooms every day. Gift Shop hours are:
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Health Education
Education is a key part of the WVU Hospitals mission. We will provide you with educational materials to help you during and after your stay with us. Ask any of your caregivers for more information.
Mail Service
Mail for patients is delivered each day. Your mailing address is:
West Virginia University Hospitals
c/o Patient's first and last name and room number
Medical Center Drive
Morgantown, WV 26506-8200
Newspapers
The Dominion Post is delivered daily with breakfast trays, at no additional cost to the patient. Local, regional, and national newspapers are available in the Gift Shop on Level 1. Newspapers also are available in dispensers on Level 4 by the front elevators.
Pharmacy
Medical Center Pharmacy is on the first floor of the Physician Office Center, and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed football Saturdays). Open to the public, the pharmacy provides prescription services, accepts most insurance prescription plans, and carries a selection of over-the-counter medications and supplies. The pharmacy phone number is 304-598-4848.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the hospital. There is a designated smoking area at the rear of Level 4.
Telephones
Patient telephones are available in each room. Patients and visitors may call outside WVU Hospitals at any time. To reach a number in the hospital, press 7 and the last four digits. For a local Morgantown number, first press 9 and then the seven-digit number. To make long-distance calls from patient rooms, you must call collect or use a credit card. Press 9 + 0 + the area code (if needed) + the seven-digit number. An operator will ask for billing information. Long distance calls may not be charged to patient rooms.
Public pay telephones are located on each floor near the waiting rooms, and there is a room of telephones on Level 4 near the cafeteria.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available free of charge to patients who need this type of service. To make arrangements for TDD equipment, call Customer Support at 598-4357.
Television
A 19-inch color television is provided for each patient bed, with all controls and speakers built into the siderails. Nursing can adjust your TV to get closed-caption viewing for the hearing impaired.
Wireless Internet
Computers with wireless capability can connect with the Internet from patient rooms, lobbies and waiting areas, the Ruby Cafeteria and Rosenbaum Family House. This service is free for WVU Hospitals patients and visitors. To connect:
- Turn on your laptop. (Windows XP)
- Open the Internet browser. FriendsConnect supports Internet Explorer.
- Your computer should detect and link to FriendsConnect automatically. If a list of wireless networks appears, choose “FriendsConnect.”
The FriendsConnect access page will appear first. Please read and accept the user agreement before proceeding. The hospital’s system has an Internet filter, so not all web sites will be available. If you have any difficulty with your Internet connection, please call 304-983-9378 Choose Option 1 for Internet Support (This number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
To prevent interference with medical devices, personal computer use is not permitted in the intensive care and step-down units, or in other areas where it may be a hazard. Check with a nurse before logging on if you are unsure. Please do not use any electrical device in the hospital if it has any damage to the casing, wiring or plug.
Important Phone Numbers
| Admissions Office | 598-4146 |
| Barber Shop | 293-2569 |
| Care Management | 598-4183 |
| Chaplain | 598-4185 |
| Emergency Department | 598-4171 |
| Ethics Committee | 293-7618 |
| Family House | 598-6094 |
| Family Medicine | 598-6900/800-932-6362 |
| Financial Services | 598-4085 |
| Flowers | 598-4133 |
| Gift Shop | 598-4133 |
| HealthSouth Rehab Hospital | 598-1100 or 800-388-2451 |
| Nutrition and Environmental Services (Dietary and Housekeeping) | 598-4105 |
| Pain Service | 598-6216 |
| Patient Accounts (Hospital bills) | 598-4032 or 800-368-6382 |
| Patient Advocate | 598-4167 |
| Patient Information | 598-4400 |
| Pharmacy, inpatient | 598-4148 |
| Pharmacy, outpatient | 598-4848 |
| Physical therapy, inpatient | 598-4118 |
| Physical therapy, outpatient | 599-2515 |
| Pre-admission Unit | 598-4885 |
| Pre-certification Office | 598-4340 |
| Ronald McDonald House | 598-0050 |
| Ruby Day Surgery Center | 598-6200 |
| Security | 598-4444 |
| Social Services | 598-4183 |
| Subacute Care Unit (Skilled Nursing) | 598-4101 |
| Surgery Information | 598-4138 |
| University Health Associates Billing | 293-7401 or 800-541-4009 |
| Volunteer Services | 598-4134 |
| WVU HealthLine | 598-6100 or 800-982-8242 |