Insurance and Payments

A doctor talks with a patient; icons show insurance, checklist, payment, wallet, document review, and file organization, representing aspects of healthcare.

“Very transparent regarding insurance, costs, and information. Dr. Hoy is clearly an experienced and thorough podiatrist. Very efficient visit with a dedicated team of professionals. Very high-quality care with incredible access. Highly recommend!”
— Annaliese M.

Seattle Foot & Ankle Center is a point-of-service medical practice. Payment responsibility is addressed as part of the check-in process and is required before being seen.

Because treatment depends on the diagnosis, we do not quote procedure costs or schedule procedure-only visits before an evaluation. Dr. Hoy first determines the cause of your foot or ankle condition and then discusses the most appropriate treatment options, including alternatives, expected costs, and insurance coverage. Once a diagnosis and treatment plan have been established, our office can provide additional information about your financial responsibility and scheduling. Some treatments may be performed during the initial visit, while others—including surgery and certain procedures—may require a separate appointment.

New patient? Learn what to expect at your first visit on our Appointment Scheduling and Orientation Page

Before your visit, we verify insurance eligibility and benefits whenever possible. At check-in, all known patient responsibility is collected, including copays, prior balances, private-pay fees, and charges when insurance cannot be verified.

Seattle Foot & Ankle Center now uses a secure Card-on-File program for deductibles and coinsurance. Your insurance claim is processed first, and only your final patient responsibility is charged afterward. Patients who choose not to participate in the Card-on-File program will continue to make payment at the time of service.

For uninsured visits, non-covered services, copays, and prior balances, payment is exact and due at the time of service.

This policy applies to all patients and helps provide transparent billing, reduce unexpected balances, and keep your visit focused on medical care.

In pain? Don’t wait. Early treatment leads to faster recovery. Urgent appointments available. Schedule now or call: 206-682-8741.

Choosing the right specialist early can save time, reduce unnecessary treatment, and often lower your overall healthcare costs—especially if you have diabetes, vascular disease, or a chronic foot or ankle condition.

Our goal is simple: to provide the most effective and cost-conscious treatment available. We start with the simplest solutions first—no unnecessary procedures, no hidden fees.

As an independent private practice, Seattle Foot & Ankle Center provides transparent billing and does not charge hospital-based facility fees that may apply in larger healthcare systems such as UW Medicine, Swedish Medical Center, Pacific Medical Centers, or Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Dr. Hoy maintains hospital privileges only at Swedish Medical Center for surgery and inpatient care when necessary.


Insurance Plans Accepted

Please confirm with your insurance company that Jinwah John Hoy, DPM (NPI #1104820653) is in-network and whether a referral is required.

Not sure if your plan is accepted? We verify benefits before your visit and explain expected out-of-pocket costs whenever possible.

We accept most major insurance plans, including:

  • Cigna
  • Aetna
  • Regence
  • Premera
  • Meritain
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • First Choice
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Lifewise
  • Providence
  • Ambetter (Core Plan only; not Cascade Care)
  • Medicare

IMPORTANT:

Insurance participation can vary by product, network tier, and employer group.

Patients are responsible for confirming directly with their insurance company that Dr. Hoy is in-network with their specific plan before scheduling. If insurance eligibility cannot be confirmed before your visit, payment may be required at check-in.

Medicaid Policy

  • Accepted only as secondary or tertiary insurance (for example, alongside Medicare).
  • We do not accept Medicaid as primary insurance.
  • We do not accept Medicaid managed care plans such as UnitedHealthcare Community Care, Coordinated Care, Community Health Plan of Washington, Molina Healthcare, or Wellpoint.
  • Patients enrolled in these plans are not permitted to pay privately for services.

Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I)

We accept existing L&I claims by referral only.

Requirements:

  • Referral from your primary treating provider (urgent care, primary care physician, or chiropractor).
  • Active claim number.
  • Referral faxed to: (206) 686-2184.

If you do not yet have a claim number, please visit an urgent care center to start your claim. We do not initiate L&I claims.

Please note:

  • A secondary insurance or alternative payment method is required.
  • L&I does not cover certain necessary foot and ankle treatments.

Billing Procedures

Because this is a point-of-service practice, payment is due at each visit based on your insurance benefits, known patient responsibility, or private-pay arrangements.

After you schedule your appointment and submit paperwork, we verify:

If your plan includes a known patient responsibility amount, we collect it at the time of service and bill your insurance for the remainder.

Payment is due at each visit.


Deductibles & Coinsurance

Common for working-age adults and some seniors.
Seattle Foot & Ankle Center now uses a secure Card-on-File program for deductibles and coinsurance. Your insurance claim is processed first, and only your final patient responsibility is charged afterward. Patients who choose not to participate in the Card-on-File program will continue to make payment at the time of service.

Copays

Common for many Medicare and commercial plans.
Collected at the time of service.

Private Pay

If you are uninsured, choosing not to use insurance, or receiving a service not covered by insurance, payment in full is due at the time of service.


Fees

Fees are based on the complexity of your visit, diagnosis, and any treatment provided.

Please note:

• Some services (such as nail or callus care) may not be covered by insurance.
• If non-covered services are provided, payment is collected at the time of service.


Accepted Forms of Payment

  • 3% processing fee on credit cards:
  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • American Express (3.5% processing fee)
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Apple Pay
  • Debit cards, checks, and cash (no processing fee)

New Patient FAQs | Seattle Foot & Ankle Center

Insurance, Billing & Payments

What insurance plans do you accept?

We accept most major insurance plans, including:
Cigna
Aetna
Premera
Regence
UnitedHealthcare
Medicare
Kaiser Permanente
Please confirm directly with your insurance provider that Jinwah John Hoy, DPM is in-network and whether a referral is required.

Do you accept Medicaid?

Medicaid is accepted only as secondary or tertiary insurance (for example, alongside Medicare).
We do not accept:
Medicaid as primary insurance
Medicaid managed care plans
Patients enrolled in these plans are not permitted to pay privately for services.

Will I need a referral?

Some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care provider.
Please check with your insurance company before scheduling to avoid delays.

Do you treat common foot conditions for Seattle patients with insurance?

Yes. We regularly treat Seattle-area patients for conditions such as:
Plantar fasciitis
Bunions and hammertoes
Sports injuries
Diabetic foot concerns
Nail and skin conditions
Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan. We verify benefits before your visit and explain any out-of-pocket costs.

How much will my visit cost?

Costs depend on your diagnosis, the complexity of your condition, and the treatment recommended.
Because treatment is determined after evaluation, we cannot quote exact procedure costs in advance. Dr. Hoy first performs a full assessment, establishes a diagnosis, and reviews the most appropriate treatment options—including expected costs, insurance coverage, and alternatives.
Some treatments may begin the same day if medically appropriate.

Do you provide pricing for procedures such as orthotics, shockwave therapy, injections, or ingrown toenail surgery?

Treatment costs depend on the diagnosis and whether that treatment is medically appropriate.
For that reason, Seattle Foot & Ankle Center does not quote procedural pricing before an evaluation. Dr. Hoy performs an examination first, then discusses the best treatment options and any associated costs.
We understand many patients want to plan ahead for treatment costs. The exact treatment and cost depend on the diagnosis and what Dr. Hoy finds during your evaluation. Once he examines the problem, he’ll review the appropriate treatment options and any associated costs before moving forward.

Are treatment procedures performed during the first visit?

In many urgent cases, yes.
Some conditions can be treated the same day, including:
Infected ingrown toenails
Painful calluses or nail conditions
Certain injections for heel pain
Other conditions, such as bunions or complex deformities, may require a scheduled procedure.

When is payment due?

Payment is due at the time of service.
This may include:
Copays
Non-covered services
Seattle Foot & Ankle Center now uses a secure Card-on-File program for deductibles and coinsurance. Your insurance claim is processed first, and only your final patient responsibility is charged afterward. Patients who choose not to participate in the Card-on-File program will continue to make payment at the time of service.

Why do you collect payment at the time of service?

Seattle Foot & Ankle Center is a point-of-service practice. This means insurance benefits are reviewed in advance whenever possible, and known patient responsibility is collected at the visit rather than billed later. This helps reduce billing surprises and improves cost transparency for patients.

How do deductibles and coinsurance work?

Seattle Foot & Ankle Center now uses a secure Card-on-File program for deductibles and coinsurance. Your insurance claim is processed first, and only your final patient responsibility is charged afterward. Patients who choose not to participate in the Card-on-File program will continue to make payment at the time of service.

What are copays?

Copays are fixed amounts required by your insurance plan and are collected at the time of your visit.

Can I pay privately if I don’t have insurance?

Yes. If you are uninsured or choose not to use insurance, payment is due in full at the time of your visit.

Do you accept workers’ compensation (L&I) cases?

Yes, for existing claims only and by referral.
Requirements include:
Active claim number
Referral from your provider
Referral submitted prior to your visit
We do not initiate L&I claims.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept:
Visa, MasterCard, Discover
American Express (processing fee applies)
Apple Pay and Google Pay
Debit cards, checks, and cash

Why choose a private practice for foot and ankle care?

As an independent practice, we offer:
Transparent pricing
No facility fees
Efficient, focused care
Improved communication with your specialist


Still have questions?

Our team is happy to help. Call (206) 682-8741 or email admin@seattlefeet.com for assistance.

We look forward to caring for you and helping you get back on your feet.


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