Insurance and Billing

Clear answers about what we accept, how billing works, and what to expect financially. We accept most major insurance plans and offer self-pay options with transparent pricing.

Schedule a Consultation Call (301) 215-0127
EliteCare Surgical Specialists
Billing statement

Straightforward Billing, Without the Surprises

When Dr. Zahiri founded EliteCare, billing confusion was one of the specific problems he set out to solve. Patients should not have to chase down answers, decode statements, or wait weeks for a callback to understand a charge.

Our approach is direct. We verify your benefits before your appointment so you know what to expect. We give you a clear estimate before any procedure is scheduled. And our billing team is staffed by real people, based in our Rockville office, who can answer your questions and resolve issues without bouncing you between departments.

Our approach to Fair Medical Billing

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Insurance Plans We Accept

We participate with most major insurance carriers and government programs. The list below is current as of our most recent update, but plans and networks change. If you do not see your plan, call us before assuming we are out of network. We can verify your coverage in most cases within 24 hours.

Aetna

  • Aetna
  • Aetna Better Health
  • Aetna Medicare

BlueCross BlueShield / CareFirst

  • BlueCross BlueShield
  • CareFirst Administrators
  • CareFirst BlueChoice
  • CareFirst Community Health Plan
  • CareFirst Medicare Advantage

Cigna

  • Cigna
  • Cigna Medicare

Medicare and Federal Programs

  • Medicare
  • ChampVA
  • TriCare East
  • TriCare Prime

UnitedHealthcare

  • UHC Dual Complete
  • UHC NexusACO
  • UHC Charter Plus
  • UHC Charter Balanced
  • UHC Core / Core Essential
  • Golden Rule
  • UHC Navigate
  • UHC Select HMO / Select+

MedStar

  • MedStar Family Choice

Maryland Medicaid & State Programs

  • Maryland HealthChoice (Medicaid)
  • Wellpoint
  • Maryland Physicians Care
  • Priority Partners
  • US Family Health Plan (USFHP)
  • Employer Health Programs (EHP)

Washington, DC Programs

  • Washington DC Medicaid

Johns Hopkins HealthCare

  • Participating Core Agreement
  • EHP Payor Addendum
  • USFHP Payor Addendum
  • Priority Partners Payor Addendum

If your plan is not listed, please call us. Many out-of-network arrangements can still be worked out, and we will give you an honest answer about what your coverage looks like before you commit to anything.

Call to Verify Your Coverage

What to Expect on Insurance Billing

After your consultation and any procedures, here is how the billing process works on our end.

01

Benefits verification

Before your first appointment, we confirm your insurance coverage and any copayment for the visit. We refer you to your care plan to determine whether a referral to see us is needed. You will know what your visit is expected to cost before you arrive.

02

Surgical estimates

When a procedure is scheduled, we generate a written estimate of your out-of-pocket responsibility for the surgeon’s fees based on your plan benefits. We will also refer you to your plan provider to obtain estimates for out-of-pocket anesthesia and facility fees, which will be billed separately.

03

Claim submission

We submit claims directly to your carrier on your behalf. You do not need to file anything yourself unless you are using out-of-network benefits. You will be provided with access to all statements and billing information along the way to keep you fully informed of charges and benefits

04

Payment of patient responsibility

Once your carrier processes the claim, you will receive a statement from us for any remaining balance (deductible, coinsurance, or copay). We accept payment by credit card, debit card, HSA/FSA card, certified check, or cash.

Self-Pay and Cash Pricing

For patients without insurance, with high deductibles, or pursuing procedures that insurance does not cover, we offer transparent self-pay pricing. We provide a written estimate during your consultation and stand by that price.

For a written self-pay estimate tailored to your specific procedure, contact our billing team. We will walk you through what is included, what is billed separately, and confirm pricing in writing before any procedure is scheduled.

Call (240) 720-7443 for an Estimate

HSA, FSA, and Payment Methods

We accept most common payment methods for both insurance and self-pay patients:

  • Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
  • Debit cards
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards
  • Certified check
  • Cash

For self-pay patients, payment is typically due in advance of the procedure. Our billing team will walk you through the timing and provide a written confirmation of payment.

When Insurance Covers Body Contouring

This is one of the most common questions we receive, and it deserves a clear answer.

Generally Not Covered

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy tucks are generally considered cosmetic procedures and are not covered by insurance. Self-pay pricing is available for patients pursuing this procedure.

May Be Covered

Panniculectomy

Panniculectomy can be covered when there is documented medical necessity, including recurrent skin infections, dermatitis, functional limitations, and failed conservative treatment. Most carriers also require documentation of weight stability, clinical photographs, and physical exam findings.

We help patients navigate this process. If you are pursuing a panniculectomy and want to determine whether your situation qualifies for coverage, we can walk you through the documentation requirements during your consultation. For more details on this specific topic, see our Tummy Tuck and Panniculectomy page.

Billing Questions

For billing inquiries, please contact our billing team directly.

Caroline Hill
Billing Representative

Direct: (240) 720-7443
Toll-Free: (866) 403-8476 ext. 3700
Fax: (301) 263-7187

Our billing team is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Most questions are resolved during the same call.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance and Billing

We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield/CareFirst, Cigna, Medicare, TriCare, UnitedHealthcare, MedStar Family Choice, and Maryland Medicaid programs. The full list is above. If you do not see your plan, call us at (301) 215-0127, and we will verify your coverage.

A referral is not required for most appointments, but if your insurance plan requires one, please bring it to your first visit. Some plans require referrals for specialist visits, and we will refer you to your health plan to determine whether one is required.

Yes. We will confirm your insurance coverage and any copayment for the visit. We refer you to your care plan to determine whether a referral to see us is needed. You will know what your visit is expected to cost before you arrive.

We provide a written estimate of your out-of-pocket cost for the surgeon when your procedure is scheduled. The hospital and anesthesiologist bill separately for their services. We determine those expenses for self-pay patients before surgery and refer insured patients to their carrier plan for accurate estimates of those costs. For insured patients, we submit the claim to your carrier after surgery.

Our self-pay pricing includes the surgical, facility, and anesthesia fees when scheduling surgery at one of our ambulatory centers. Everything is laid out in writing before you commit to anything.

Yes. We accept HSA and FSA cards for both insurance copays and self-pay procedures. Most surgical procedures qualify as eligible expenses, but you should confirm with your plan administrator before using these funds.

At EliteCare, we are committed to providing exceptional care to as many patients as possible. To help make treatment more accessible, we offer flexible payment plans to ease the financial burden of care.

It depends on your specific plan and your documented medical history. Carriers typically require documented symptoms (recurrent infections, dermatitis, functional limitations), evidence that non-surgical treatments have been tried, clinical photographs, and weight stability for 3 to 6 months. We can help you determine whether your situation qualifies during your consultation.

Yes. We provide written estimates for all procedures, whether you are using insurance or paying out of pocket. Call us at (301) 215-0127 or contact our billing team directly to request an estimate.

We work with patients to understand the reason for any denial and pursue an appeal when appropriate. Most denials we see stem from coding issues or missing documentation, and they are usually resolvable. Contact our billing team, and we will walk you through the next steps.

Caroline Hill, our billing representative, handles all billing inquiries directly. You can reach her at (240) 720-7443 or toll-free at (866) 403-8476 ext. 3700.