Our Policies

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

This Notice of Privacy Practices is provided to you in keeping with guidance in the Privacy Act of 1974. is authorized to collect certain health information from you pursuant to section 904 of the Foreign Service Act, 22 U.S.C. § 4084. This notice describes how Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. may use or disclose your protected health information, with whom that information may be shared, and the safeguards Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. has in place to protect it. This notice also describes your rights to access and amend your protected health information. You have the right to approve or refuse the release of specific information outside of Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. except when the release is required or authorized by law or regulation.

You will usually receive the Notice of Privacy Practices at your first appointment, and you will be asked to provide a signed acknowledgment of receipt of this notice. Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. will abide by the terms of this privacy notice, currently in effect, but reserves the right to change the terms of the notice and to make new notice provisions. If the privacy policies are changed, Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. will publish the revised privacy notice on the Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. website and provide this notice upon request in the clinic. You can obtain a copy of Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. Notice of Privacy Practices here.

FINANCIAL POLICY

This notice of our Financial Policy allows you as a patient to know what we expect of you and what you can expect of you. This policy is designed to prevent you as a patient from being surprised about your financial obligation when they receive care from our practice. You can obtain a copy of Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. Financial Policy here.

PATIENT CARE AGREEMENT

Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. is committed to providing patient centered care and a collaborative approach with the patient’s participation. These expectations outline our Patient Care Agreement, which is intended to provide compassionate care in an environment that promotes comfort, healing and mutual respect between the patient and Care Team. You can obtain a copy of Boston Sports and Biologics, P.C. Patient Care Agreement here.

Surprise Billing

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Billing

In 2020, both Congress and the Massachusetts legislature passed laws related to surprise or out-of-network billing and related requirements for notice and disclosure for patients regarding network status and price transparency. The federal “No Surprises Act”, establishes a comprehensive statutory framework, including a ban on surprise billing, the creation of an independent dispute resolution process, and patient notice and disclosure provisions. Provisions contained in the Massachusetts Patients First Act (Section 25 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020), as detailed in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) bulletin below, similarly impose provider responsibilities for patient notice and disclosure regarding network status and price transparency.

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.

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?

When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out of pocket cost-sharing, like a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. You may have additional costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see an out-of-network provider or visit a health care facility that is out-of-network.

“Out-of-network” means providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your insurance company to provide services. Out-of network providers may be allowed to bill you for the difference between what the insurance plan pays and the full amount the provider charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.”

This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and does not count toward your deductible or annual out-of-pocket maximum. “Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care—like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provide.

You’re never required to give up your protections from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get out-of-network care. You can choose a provider or facility in your insurance plans network. If you do decide to receive out-of-network care with Boston Sports & Biologics we will ask you to sign a waiver.

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.

More information about your rights and protections

For specific information on your state laws, please contact the insurance commissioner for the state in which you received your care.

Visit https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises for more information about your rights under federal law.
Visit https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter111/Section228 for more information on your rights under MA state law.

If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed

The federal phone number for information and complaints is: 1-800-985-3059. Visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers for more information about your rights under federal law.

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance, Consumer Service Unit at 617-521-7794.

Bill of Rights

Massachusetts General Law c. 111, Sec. 70E details the Patients’ Bill of Rights. As a patient, your rights include the right to participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care and to have a patient advocate with you during treatment. If you are having surgery, we encourage you to bring a patient advocate to take notes and assert your patient rights when needed.

Every patient shall have the right:

To be treated in a caring, safe and compassionate way.
To receive timely, complete and accurate information.
To know the name and specialty of those providing care.
To say yes or no to treatment as allowed by law.
To ask questions about what is happening and why.
To have things explained in their preferred language.
To have privacy (within the capacity of the facility) when being examined or when talking to a health care provider.
To be evaluated and treated for pain.
To choose who may be present to provide emotional support.
To review and request medical records, as allowed by law.
To say yes or no to taking part in a research study.
To get timely responses to questions or concerns.
To know how health information is used and shared.

To raise concerns or have any questions about any of this information contact our Practice Manager, Becky Bedard (781) 591-7855.

You can obtain a copy of the law called the Massachusetts Patient Bill of Rights here.