What UMCSN Bill Pay is and how to use it
UMCSN Bill Pay is the online payment system run by University of Michigan Health (UMH), which operates University of Michigan Hospitals and clinics across Michigan. You use it to pay hospital bills, emergency department charges, surgery costs, and outpatient visit fees directly from your computer or phone. The system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers.
To pay online, you log into your patient portal account or visit the UMH billing website and enter your account number (found on your bill). You then choose your payment method, enter the amount you want to pay, and confirm. The payment posts within one to three business days. If you do not have online access or prefer not to use it, you can mail a check or money order to the address on your bill, or call the billing department to pay by phone.
UMCSN stands for University of Michigan Comprehensive Services Network. Bills from UMCSN facilities arrive with that name or "University of Michigan Health" on the envelope. The payment process is the same whether your care came from a hospital, urgent care clinic, or specialist office within the system.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay UMCSN bills online through the patient portal, by mailing a check to the address on your bill, or by calling the billing department to pay over the phone.
- Online payments post within one to three business days, so plan ahead if you have a payment deadline.
- You will need your account number (printed on your bill) to set up an online payment.
- If you cannot pay the full amount, contact the billing department to ask about payment plans before your account goes to collections.
Setting up online access to pay your bill
Before you can pay online, you need a patient portal account with University of Michigan Health. If you received care at a UMH facility, you may already have one. Go to the UMH patient portal login page and enter your email address. If an account exists under that email, you can reset your password. If no account exists, you will be prompted to create one using your name, date of birth, and the phone number or email on file with the hospital.
Once you are logged in, look for a "Billing" or "Pay My Bill" section in the portal menu. Click it and you will see a list of any outstanding balances. Select the bill you want to pay, enter the amount (you can pay part of the bill or the whole thing), choose your payment method, and submit. The system will show you a confirmation number. Save or print this number in case you need to reference the payment later.
If you have trouble logging in or cannot find the billing section, call University of Michigan Health Patient Financial Services at the number on your bill. They can help you access your account or process a payment over the phone instead.
Payment methods and what each one costs
UMCSN Bill Pay accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers (ACH). There is no charge to pay by bank transfer or debit card. If you pay with a credit card, some credit card companies may charge you a cash advance fee or treat the payment as a purchase — check your card's terms. The hospital itself does not add a fee for credit card payments.
Mailing a check or money order is also free. Write your account number on the check, include the payment stub from your bill if you have it, and mail it to the address printed on your statement. Allow five to seven business days for the payment to arrive and post to your account.
Paying by phone is free as well. Call the number on your bill and a representative will take your payment information over the phone. They will give you a confirmation number on the spot.
What happens if you miss a payment deadline
If your bill is not paid by the due date shown on your statement, the hospital will send you a past-due notice. At this point, the balance is still with the hospital's billing department. You can still pay online, by mail, or by phone without penalty. The hospital may charge interest or a late fee depending on your account type — check your bill or call to ask what applies to your balance.
If you do not pay after the past-due notice, the account may be sent to a collection agency. Once that happens, the debt collector, not the hospital, owns the right to collect from you. Collection accounts damage your credit score and can result in wage garnishment or bank account levies if the collector sues and wins a judgment. Contact the billing department as soon as you know you cannot pay the full amount — they often have payment plans or financial hardship programs that can keep your account out of collections.
If your bill has already gone to collections, you can still negotiate with the collection agency. Many will accept a lump-sum settlement for less than the full amount, or set up a payment plan. Get any agreement in writing before you pay.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay in full
If you owe more than you can pay right away, contact University of Michigan Health Patient Financial Services before your account goes past due. Explain your situation and ask about payment plan options. Many hospitals offer plans that let you pay in installments over three, six, or twelve months with no interest.
To set up a plan, you will need to provide information about your income and expenses so the hospital can determine what monthly payment you can afford. Once approved, you will receive a new payment schedule. As long as you make each payment on time, your account will not be reported to collections or sent to a debt collector.
Some hospitals also have financial hardship programs that reduce or forgive bills for patients below a certain income level. Ask the billing department whether you might be may be able to access. You will need to provide proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements) and proof of household size.
How to find your account number and bill details
Your account number appears in the upper right corner of your bill statement, usually next to "Account Number" or "Patient Account Number." It is a string of numbers specific to that visit or service. If you have multiple bills from different dates, each one will have its own account number.
Your bill also shows the date it was issued, the due date, the total amount owed, and a breakdown of charges by service (emergency department, surgery, lab work, and so on). If you do not understand a charge, call the billing department and ask them to explain it. You have the right to an itemized bill that lists every service and its cost.
If you have lost your paper bill, log into the patient portal and download a copy from the Billing section. You can also call the billing department and ask them to email or mail a new copy.
Disputing a charge on your UMCSN bill
If you believe a charge is wrong — for example, you were billed twice for the same service, or you were charged for a service you did not receive — contact the billing department in writing. Include your account number, the date of service, the charge amount, and an explanation of why you think it is incorrect. Keep a copy for your records.
The hospital has a set time (usually 30 to 60 days) to investigate your dispute. During that time, the charge may remain on your bill, but you should not be sent to collections for disputing it in good faith. Once the investigation is complete, the hospital will send you a written response explaining whether the charge was corrected, adjusted, or upheld.
If you disagree with the outcome, you can file a complaint with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services or ask your state representative for help. Keep all written correspondence from the hospital as evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my UMCSN bill with insurance?
No. You pay your bill directly to the hospital. Your insurance company pays their portion to the hospital separately. If your insurance has not paid yet, the bill will show what you owe after insurance. If you think insurance should have covered more, contact your insurance company's customer service line and ask them to review the claim.
What if I do not have a patient portal account?
You can still pay by mail or phone. Write your account number on a check and mail it to the address on your bill, or call the billing department number on your statement to pay over the phone. A representative can also help you set up a patient portal account if you want online access in the future.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my bill?
Online payments post within one to three business days. If you are close to a due date or collection deadline, do not wait until the last day to pay online. Mail or phone payments are safer if you have only a few days left.
Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to pay each month?
Some hospitals offer automatic payment setup through their patient portal. Log in and look for a "Recurring Payment" or "Auto Pay" option in the Billing section. If you do not see one, call the billing department and ask whether they can set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account.
What if I think I was overcharged because of an error in my medical record?
Contact both the billing department and the medical records department. Billing can investigate whether the charge matches what was documented. Medical records can correct errors in your chart if they exist. Ask for written confirmation of any changes made.