For many patients and their families, a hospital visit includes filling out unfamiliar forms and answering financial and insurance questions. The information below and the phone numbers that follow can help with this process.

Insurance

It is very important that you have your insurance information and identification cards (including Medicare and Medicaid cards) with you when you are admitted to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. This enables us to provide proper billing, verify insurance benefits promptly and obtain pre-approval for HMO patients before receiving services.

You will be asked upon admission to pay any insurance copay or deductible not covered by your insurance.

As a courtesy to you, we will file assigned insurance claims.  The benefits paid by your insurance will be applied to your account.  If your insurance company requests additional information from you, please respond as soon as possible. A delay in returning the requested information will also delay payment to your account.

With the exception of some HMOs, Medicare and Medicaid, your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company.  We will help in any way possible to expedite your claim, but you are ultimately responsible for your account.

Once your insurance pays, you will receive a statement showing any current balance. 

Financial Assistance

Financial Counselors are available to help and answer questions regarding your bill, financial arrangements, Chaves County Indigent Fund and Medicaid eligibility.  Call (575) 624-8731.

If you do not have insurance coverage, you must make a deposit prior to your admission (non-emergency) and have satisfactory arrangements made for payment of any balance due.  The hospital accepts cash, check, money order, debit card, electronic funds transfer, MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover.

A Financial Counselor may visit with you to determine if you qualify for various assistance programs, including the Indigent Fund.

Indigent Fund

Chaves County determines eligibility for indigent funds according to the Chaves County Indigent Fund guidelines.  You must apply for indigent funds within 90 days of your hospitalization.  To apply, please ask to see a Financial Counselor. 

If Chaves County approves you for indigent funds, they may pay a portion of your bill.  A Financial Counselor will help you make payment arrangements for the remainder.

We will be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning your financial arrangements. Call our Financial Counselor at (575) 624-8731 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.