BETHPAGE LACTATION POLICIES


SCHEDULING POLICY

At Bethpage Lactation, we believe in making your breastfeeding journey as convenient as possible. We operate on a self-scheduling system facilitated by Acuity Scheduling, a trusted third-party service. This provides you with the flexibility to choose appointment times that suit your schedule. To secure your appointment, we require a valid credit card on file. Upon booking through Acuity Scheduling, you will receive an initial confirmation email. Additionally, you will receive follow-up email reminders 48 and 24 hours in advance, with text reminders sent out 1 hour before your appointment.

CANCELLATION/NO-SHOW POLICY AND FEES

We kindly request that you avoid canceling your appointment once it is booked, as this time slot is reserved exclusively for you, and others may be in need. However, if you must reschedule or cancel, we appreciate a minimum of 24 hours' notice. You can easily manage your appointment through the appointment confirmation email or by texting (516) 331-1226.

*Kindly be advised that any cancellations made within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment will result in a $50 fee. For lactation consultations, a $150 fee will be charged for no-shows, regardless of your insurance coverage. Additionally, a $75 fee will apply for CFT no-shows. Please note that your credit card on file will be charged accordingly for any applicable fees.* 

If you or anyone in your household falls ill with symptoms such as flu, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, please notify us promptly so that we can establish a plan to ensure everyone's safety. In such cases, Bethpage Lactation will not impose a cancellation fee if you communicate your illness in a timely manner. We will either reschedule or refer you to another lactation consultant. In the event of my personal illness or a family emergency, we will make every effort to reschedule your appointment or provide an alternative consultant.

CREDIT CARD ON FILE POLICY

At Bethpage Lactation, we require a valid credit card to be securely stored on file. This policy serves several important purposes:

Here's how the policy operates:

When scheduling, you will be prompted to provide your credit card information, which will be electronically encrypted in our secure billing system. Only the last four digits will be visible to our staff.

Your card on file will serve as authorization for any charges not covered by your insurance, encompassing co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance, patient responsibilities, non-insured services, home visit convenience fees, travel fees, and no-show fees.

Please note that due to the variability of Health Insurance Plans and unreliable cost estimates, we cannot guarantee the exact costs. Once the claim is processed and we receive the Explanation of Benefits (EOB), YOUR CREDIT CARD WILL BE CHARGED ACCORDINGLY.

Please bear in mind that this policy does not infringe upon your right to dispute any charges on your credit card. If you believe an erroneous charge has been made, contact our office promptly, and we will rectify any mistakes.

By booking your appointment, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agreed to the Bethpage Lactation Credit Card on File and Cancellation Policies. You retain the right to opt for an alternative payment method at any time. Until further notice, you authorize Bethpage Lactation to charge your credit card for any patient-responsible balances on your account. Rest assured, we will always inform you and offer alternative arrangements before charging your card. Our approach aligns with industry standards, similar to procedures followed by hotels and rental car companies, and adheres to credit card contracts, which grant cardholders the ability to dispute charges.

PAYMENT POLICY

I acknowledge that the credit card information I provided when scheduling my appointment will be securely stored within Bethpage Lactation's HIPAA-compliant booking software and will be used for payment for any future visits with Bethpage Lactation.

I understand that I may cancel my appointment up to 24 hours in advance without incurring a cancellation fee. However, if I cancel less than 24 hours before my appointment, a $50 cancellation fee will be applied to the card on file.

I also understand that I may reschedule my appointment 24 hours in advance without incurring a cancellation fee. However, if I subsequently cancel the rescheduled appointment, a $50 cancellation fee will be applied to the card on file.

In cases of a no-show for a scheduled appointment, a $150 fee will be charged, regardless of my insurance carrier.

I acknowledge that Bethpage Lactation does not offer refunds during or after our consultation, regardless of the circumstances.

For United Healthcare and Aetna Clients:

I understand that it is my responsibility to contact United Healthcare or Aetna before my consultation to verify my benefits and coverage entitlements. Bethpage Lactation may also bill United Healthcare or Aetna for my baby's portion of the visit. I accept that I am responsible for any costs not covered by United Healthcare, including copays and deductibles, and will be billed accordingly. 

If the lactating parent is in a covered plan but the baby is not, or visa-versa, there is a $150 assessment fee for the non-covered patient's initial visit and $90 for all follow-up appointments.  I can provide a Superbill for you to submit an out-of-network claim, but I cannot guarantee the outcome or submit an appeal. You can use HSA/FSA to make this payment. You have up to 30 days from your baby's birth date to add them to your insurance.

Credit card charges will have a 3.5% processing fee added.

REFUNDS:

I understand that all services, packages, and supplies provided by Bethpage Lactation are non-refundable, and no returns or exchanges will be accepted.