Our Physicians and Our Staff

Suzanne Trupin, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Trupin.

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Judy Gallivan, R.D.M.S.

Judy has many years of ultrasonography experience including a special interest in 3-D sonography, the use of the Doppler ultrasound, and the detection of birth defects and pelvic anatomic abnormalities.

Meghan Gagne, P.A.

Meghan has a Bachelor’s in Science Degree in Biology and Psychology. She attended Midwestern University in Downers Grove and received a Master’s in Medical Science. Meghan passed her National Certification for Physician Assistants in August 2003. She has been practicing at WHP since November 2003 as a physician assistant and participates as a sub-medical research investigator in the research department.

Peggy Carlson, B.G.

As a pregnancy options counselor, Peggy provides assessment, counseling, options, and aftercare of problem pregnancy. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois.

Appointments and Hours

Making An Appointment

We encourage our patients to see us by appointment, which helps us use your time and our time as efficiently as possible.

You can make an appointment between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. Monday through Friday by calling 217-356-3736.

Your physician can also refer you to Women’s Health Practice and make an appointment for you.

If unable to keep your appointment, please cancel no later than 48 hours in advance (if possible). This courtesy enhances our ability to serve our patients in an efficient and timely manner. A new appointment can be scheduled for you. We will attempt to honor your appointment time because we believe in the value of your time and recognize the inconvenience of unexpected waiting periods. However, in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, we will encounter unexpected delays due to deliveries, surgeries, and other emergencies that will affect our best scheduling efforts.

Our office policy regarding appointments is:

· Acute problem (such as an episode of acute bleeding, urinary tract infection, yeast infection, sudden high fever, acute pain)—the day you call. If you are uncertain as to the urgency of your problem, we encourage you to speak with a nurse or nurse practitioner.
· New problem that is not acute—normally accommodated within 48 hours.
· Walk-in patients are seen on a limited basis, and initially seen by our nurse
· Obstetrical patients—
If experiencing a problem, the same day.
Laboratory testing, ultrasound, obstetrical check-ups, etc., are scheduled appointments.

Information Packet

Before your appointment, you will receive an information packet, which will include:

· An appointment card to confirm your scheduled date and time.
· Instructions on any necessary preparations, such as fasting for specific laboratory tests, etc.
· “Patient Information Sheet”, which you should complete and mail back before your appointment—if time permits, or bring with you the date of your scheduled appointment.
· “Financial Policy Statement” designed to help you understand the financial aspects of your visit.
· Insurance card, which includes policyholder name, group number, policy number, name and address where to submit claims, phone numbers for benefit verification and/or precertification.
· If being seen for second opinion or consultation, we would request you bring a copy of medical records from referring or previous physician(s).

Telephone Call Policy

Women's Health Practice uses a voice mail system to answer phone calls as soon as possible; however, phone messages are answered and/or returned primarily early morning or late afternoon. On occasion, nursing staff is available when you initially call. Please note WHP experiences highest volume of phone calls on Mondays and Fridays. When leaving a message, please leave your name, date of birth, telephone number where you can be reached between 8 AM-5 PM, and a brief message. This information will enable the physicians and nurses to answer your call more thoroughly.

You can also email us.

Urgent/Emergency Calls After Office Hours

If you need to contact Dr. Suzanne Trupin for urgent/emergent calls after office hours, we prefer, if at all possible, you initially call 217-356-3736. Our answering service will page the physician, who will return your call as soon as possible. If your condition requires immediate attention, go immediately to the Emergency Room at:

* Provena-Covenant Medical Center Emergency Room
1400 West Park Street
Urbana, Illinois 61801
Phone: 217-337-2131

Carle Foundation Hospital
611 West Park
Urbana, Illinois 61801
217-383-3313

* Indicate to the Emergency Room personnel that your health care provider is Dr. Suzanne Trupin, and the Emergency Room will page for your case. Remember: Check with your current insurance to see if you have a preferred hospital.

Financial and Insurance Guide

This guide is provided to help you understand the financial and insurance aspects of your visit to Women’s Health Practice. Billing staff can answer questions or concerns you may have about billing and insurance.

This guide begins with a general information section for all patients, followed by sections related to specific health insurance coverage, such as commercial and managed care).

We encourage all patients to read and try to understand the information in this guide related to the appropriate coverages before their appointments to avoid unplanned financial expenditures.

Click here for a list of insurance plans accepted by Women's Health Practice.

Contacting Patient Accounts

Payment Address:
Women’s Health Practice
2125 South Neil Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820

Correspondence Address:
Women’s Health Practice
ATTN: Executive Business Manager
2125 South Neil Street
Champaign, Illinois

Telephone Number: 217-356-3736

New Patients

Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete necessary forms. When you check-in for your appointment at Women’s Health Practice, you will complete a registration form. It includes demographic and medical information. We will ask you for a picture ID, and proof of health insurance. The proof of insurance should include the name and address of your health insurance company, your policy number and the exact address where claims are to be filed.

Existing Patients

Yearly, we will ask you complete a registration form to update your health insurance and personal demographic information. Accurate patient information is essential for correctly filing claims, generating patient schedules, physician’s letters, and account statements. Therefore, please inform the receptionist when you check in of any changes in your health insurance coverage, mailing address, phone number, or emergency contacts.

Payment Information

Payments due from patients while at Women’s Health Practice are collected at the registration desk. These payments should include:

· Co-payment for managed care patients;
· Fees for elective surgery.
· Deposits from uninsured patients.

At The End Of Your Visit

At the end of your visit, please stop at the reception desk. The timely and accurate filing of your insurance claim depends on your starting this process with your receptionists before you leave. If you are insured by a plan that does not participate with Women’s Health Practice, we will request a minimum of 20% payment of the posted charges at this time, regardless of the amount to be paid by insurance plans. Cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card are accepted. Patients or their guarantors are ultimately responsible for payment of all charges for services rendered, regardless of the amount covered by insurance or other third party payers.

Credit Policy

We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, DiscoverCard, and bank debit cards. Exceptions to this policy may apply to obstetrical patients, surgical patients, and patients who have insurance with those that Women’s Health Practice has preferred provider contracts. As a courtesy to you, insurance claims from your primary insurance are submitted by Women’s Health Practice. If the insurance pays us directly for fees we have collected from you, a refund check will be issued (refund checks are mailed out monthly).

Commercial or Traditional Insurance Plans

There are many commercial or traditional health plans with which Women’s Health Practice does not participate. You may have one of these groups or individual policies. If your insurance plan does not participate, it is difficult to predict what benefits will be paid. You must check with your employer health plan or other appropriate party about benefits prior to your appointment. It is important that you know the benefits of your contract with your health plan. Most health plans have developed their own fee schedule for medical services. This amount is typically called “Usual or Customary” or “UCR”. Our fees reflect the cost of services deemed medically necessary for you based on the examinations and evaluations performed. Unless you are covered by a plan that participates, it is likely that your charges will differ from your health plan’s allowable amount. You are responsible for our charges in full, regardless of your plan’s level of reimbursement—it is very important you understand what your plan will pay. For example:

Women’s Health Practice charge for new patient physical: $110
Commercial insurance approves $90
Commercial insurance pays 80% of approved amount: -$72
Patient amount due: $38

Under insurance carrier definition, Women’s Health Practice is not a hospital. If your insurance policy excludes coverage for outpatient services, your charges may be denied.

Women’s Health Practice initiates your health plan claim, and timely payment for services rendered is expected. You should review your monthly statements to determine the status of any outstanding balances. Communication between you and your health plan is highly encouraged to ensure timely insurance processing and payment. Regardless of your health plan’s response, the account balance is your responsibility to finalize in a timely way.
NOTE: As long as your account has a balance, you will receive an itemized statement from Women’s Health Practice—even if your insurance claim has been filed.

Secondary Insurance Coverage

If you have secondary insurance coverage, you will receive a supplemental claim form to file with your secondary insurance plan. You will need to attach a copy of your primary insurance carrier’s “Explanation of Benefits” with the supplemental claim forms. Your secondary plan may not otherwise be able to determine the amount of its responsibility.

Uninsured Patients

A pre-care deposit ranging from $100 to $500 is required from uninsured patients.

Managed Care

If you are a member of a preferred provider organization (PPO) or health maintenance organization (HMO), please contact your health plan before scheduling an appointment at Women’s Health Practice to determine your plan’s participation and the terms of your contract. Claims will be filed to your PPO plan. If Women’ Health Practice is not part of your PPO network, your out-of-pocket expenses will increase. PPOs usually reimburse at a lower rate when services are received outside the PPO network. Co-payment will be collected at the time of registration or check-in. You are responsible for the initial deductible, co-insurance, co-payments, and any non-covered charges.

At the present time, Women’s Health Practice has contracts with the following managed care plans:

· Blue Cross/Blue Shield
· Cigna
· Medicare
· PersonalCare POS/PPO/HMO
· Tricare/Champus
· Consociate
· Service Employees International Union Local #4
· Preferred Plan
· Integrated Health Plan, Inc.
· Fortified Provider Network, Inc.
· PHCS (Private Health Care Systems)
· BCE Emergis
· Healthlink
· MCS

If you would like your plan to be considered, please contact Women’s Health Practice Administrative Office at 217-356-3736, extension 105.

If you have secondary insurance, you will receive a supplemental claim form from Women’s Health Practice after your primary insurance has paid. Attach a copy (not the original) of the explanation of benefits from your primary insurance to this supplemental claim form, and send it to your supplemental insurance carrier.

You will receive an itemized statement from Women’s Health Practice. You will continue to receive a statement of account until all insurance payments and adjustments have been posted, and the patient responsibility portions have been paid in full.

Billing

If you provide the name, address, and policy number of your health insurance company to Women’s Health Practice, we will file your primary insurance claim for you. It is important to track the charges for the services you received and what your health plan allowed/paid for your services from the beginning of your visit. Organizing this information will help should you need to discuss your account with your health insurance company. In the weeks after your visit, the billing process occurs as follows:

· Women’s Health Practice will submit claims to your primary insurance company.
· You should receive an “Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your primary insurance company four to six weeks after the first claim was filed. The EOB will indicate services billed, amount paid, and who received payment.

· If payment is mailed to Women’s Health Practice, the payment will be posted and reflected on your next monthly statement.
· If payment is sent to you and you have an outstanding balance on your account, endorse it to Women’s Health Practice and mail to: Women’s Health Practice, 2125 South Neil Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820.
· If you have provided us with information about secondary or supplemental health insurance, we will send you a supplemental claim form to file. Attach a copy of your EOB from your primary insurance company to the claim form, and submit to your secondary or supplemental health insurance.

You should receive your first monthly statement from Women’s Health Practice approximately 15-35 days after your first appointment. You will continue to get monthly statements at four-week intervals. Additional charges and payments to your original statement will appear on your monthly statement as posted to your account. You should retain your statements to help you track charges, payments, adjustments, and your balance.

Billing Questions and Answers

What if I receive a check from my insurance company?
If your insurance company issues a check to you for services rendered at Women’s Health Practice and a balance remains on your account, please sign the back of the check and mail along with a copy of the explanation of benefits to Women’s Health Practice.

Where should I mail my payment?
Please mail the top portion of your statement and personal check to Women’s Health Practice. This will ensure your payment is credited in a timely manner.
When writing paid in full (PIF) on a check, please make certain the account balance is the same amount written on the check. If the amounts do not correspond, there will be a delay in posting your payment or we may have to return the check to you and request a check for the correct amount. When mailing a check, please check to determine that it is dated correctly, the written amount matches the dollar amount, and the check is made out to Women’s Health Practice and it is signed.

Insurance Tips

Having an insurance claim rejected is extremely frustrating and infuriating for both you and your physician. However, you do not necessarily have to take no for an answer. Following are a few points to assist you regarding insurance claim submissions:

1. Know Your Policy: All too often, it is a case of not knowing your policy coverage (annual deductible, co-pay, coverage limitations, etc.)

2. Check The Codes: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes reflect the medical treatment received. A common problem involves an incorrect CPT code. Make sure the CPT codes are the same on both the doctor’s bill and rejected claim form.

3. Provide More Detail: If your claim has been denied, ask your physician to provide additional documentation (for example, were you referred to a specialist, additional tests done due to your symptoms).

4. Ask For A Review: If you think a mistake was made by your insurer in processing or if the claim continues to be dismissed, ask for a formal review by a supervisor.

5. File a Complaint: State insurance departments will investigate whether an insurer is using current data and reimbursing fairly. The National Consumer Help Line at 800-942-4242 provides advice on resources and referrals.

Women’s Health Practice Administrative Office (217-356-3736, extension 105) can help answer questions you may have regarding your insurance, submitted claims, explanation of benefits, etc.

Pre-Certification

Certain services may require pre-approval from your health insurance company before being performed. Prior to your visit, review your health plan booklet or call your insurance company to clarify your specific policy benefits and requirements. Your policy may vary from another subscriber insured by the same company. It is important for you to be aware of your plan’s specific pre-certification requirements in order to receive full benefits allowable for services performed.

Pre-certification staff can help you obtain authorization/approval for services performed during your evaluation. However, this is ultimately your responsibility.

Prior authorization or predetermination can be initiated by pre-certification staff for procedures that may be considered experimental or cosmetic by your insurance company. This can take a considerable amount of time (three to eight weeks) as well as medical necessity information to be supplied to your insurance company by Women’s Health Practice.

Before scheduling a second opinion consultation, you should address any second opinion requirements with your insurance company. Your insurance company can tell you if pre-certification is required.

Pre-certification or pre-approval requirements may also be required for certain tests and procedures that may be ordered by Women’s Health Practice physicians. If pre-certification is required, the pre-certification staff will contact your insurance company or primary care physician for approval.

If pre certification is required but not done, your benefits may be reduced or denied and become your responsibility in full.

Glossary

Balance: The amount indicated on the statement owed to Women’s Health Practice.

Health Insurance Claim Form: Health claim form sent to the primary or secondary insurance carrier.

Commercial Health Insurance: Private insurance. A basic, traditional insurance contract.

Co-Payment/Co-Insurance: An amount established by the insurance company as the patient’s responsibility of billed fees.

Credit Balance: This balance appears in your statement with a minus sign (i.e., $100). Women’s’ Health Practice may owe the patient or insurance plan a refund dependent upon review of the account.

Deductible: An amount determined by the insurance company to be paid on an annual basis before benefits are paid.

DOS: Date of Service.

Elective Service: Any service that is not emergency care. With few exceptions, cosmetic procedures are elective services and must be pre-paid by the patient.

EOB/EOMB: Explanation of Benefits/Explanation of Medical Benefits are provided by the patient’s insurance plan detailing how benefits are processed and paid for services rendered.

NAS: Non-Availability Statement. This document is required for inpatient admission and some outpatient procedures.

Non-Covered Services: A service not covered under the limits of the patient’s health insurance contract. These amounts are the patient’s responsibility to pay. Patient should direct questions about coverage to their health plan.

PIF: All charges are paid in full. Statement of account reflects zero balance.

POS: Place of service.

Pre-Care Deposit: When applicable, a dollar amount pre-determined to be paid before your visit.

Pre-Certification: Requirement of your insurance company to determine medical necessity for services rendered. Pre-certification does not guarantee benefits for payment. Benefits are based on policy provisions in force at the time services are rendered. Questions about pre-certification requirements in your contract should be directed to your insurance plan.

Proof of Insurance: A valid insurance card including the address where claims are to be filed.

Self-Pay Patient: A person who has no insurance or does not want the services rendered filed with his/her insurance company. This patient must make a pre-care deposit.

Statement: A record of account status sent to patients monthly to advise of the previous period’s transactions and activity on the account.

Secondary Claim Form: Women’s Health Practice will provide a claim form to patients to file with their secondary insurance carrier with a copy of the EOB/EMOB.

UCR/Usual and Customary: Predetermined allowable limits used by insurance carriers to limit the maximum amount they will pay on a given service as governed by their contract with the patient. Please note that for health plans with which Women’s Health Practice does not participate, we do not accept health insurance predetermined UCR amounts.

Uninsured Patient: A patient without medical insurance. Uninsured patients are required to make a pre-care deposit.

Waiver of Financial Liability Form: A form signed by the patient before certain services are rendered, notifying him/her that Medicare may not cover this service and the patient will be responsible for payment.

Medical Records

Your medical records are strictly confidential. No information will be released to insurance companies, attorneys, physicians, or other persons without your written authorization. We cannot accept authorization over the phone. If you wish to have your medical records released, you may send a letter requesting your records where you would like your records mailed, along with your name, address, and date of birth. We have medical release forms in our office that you may come in and complete. Please allow at least seven to fourteen days for the processing of medical releases.

Accredited as an Ambulatory Surgical Center

Women’s Health Practice has been awarded the certification of accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC). The award means that Women’s Health Practice has met nationally recognized standards for quality care set by the Chicago-based accrediting organization.

”We’re pleased and proud to have achieved accreditation,” said Suzanne Trupin, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.. “We think accreditation is very important and has helped improve the quality of care we provide. We feel that our patients are the ultimate benefactors from our participation in the accreditation program.”

In order to achieve accreditation, Women’s Health Practice underwent an extensive on-site survey of its facilities and services. The survey team, composed of physicians, nurses, and administrators, evaluated all aspects of patients’ care. The survey findings resulted in a favorable decision.

Forms

Patient Information Sheet
After you make your appointment, you should complete this form and mail back before your appointment - if time permits - or bring with you on the date of your scheduled appointment. Note the date and time of your appointment on the top of your Patient Information Sheet.

Referral and Consultation Form
If you need a referral from your doctor or agency, fill out this form, give it to your doctor for completion and signature, then bring with you to your appointment at Women’s Health Practice.

Medical Records Release Form
Click link above to download the Medical Records Release Form pdf file.

Associate Physicians of Women's Health Practice

When Dr. Suzanne Trupin must be out of the office for professional or personal commitments, Board-Certified Obstetricians and Gynecologists provide coverage for Women's Health Practice. Board-Certified physicians have years of experience in both obstetrics and gynecology, are credentialed in various OB/GYN procedures, and obtain privileges at both Provena-Covenant Medical Center and Carle Foundation Hospital.

Elizabeth Trupin Campbell, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., who is Dr. Trupin's sister, practiced at Women's Health Practice from 1986-1999 before relocating with her family. She has strong ties to the Champaign-Urbana area, and enjoys working with Women's Health Practice to provide regular part-time coverage for both longstanding and new patients.

Dr. Campbell graduated with a B.A. from Stanford University in 1978, completed medical school at New York Medical College in 1982, and did a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center from 1982-1986. She is a well-respected guest speaker on a variety of women's health issues, including the management of human papilloma virus, menopause, contraceptive technology, and laser applications in obstetrics and gynecology.

Dr. Campbell, a Board-Certified obstetrician-gynecologist, has received clinical research grants to investigate the efficacy of different contraceptive methods, management of postmenopausal symptoms, management of endometriosis, treatment of vulvocandidiasis, treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease, management of preterm labor, nuclear magnetic resonance studies of genital tissue, effective exercise during pregnancy, and the use of soy products in postmenopausal women. Her research effects have been in collaboration with Oclassen Pharmaceuticals, Searle Pharmaceutical Company, CIBA-Geigy Laboratories, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Nutritional Sciences Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has been awarded "Excellence in Teaching" and "Merit of Practice" awards from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Planned Parenthood Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the American Medical Association. Dr. Campbell has presented and attended meetings sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Her expertise includes breast cancer, depression, fertility, stress reduction, ultrasound medicine, laser application in gynecologic surgery, and exercise in pregnancy. She is published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Allan Lichtman, M.D., graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and did his residency at Women's Hospital, Los Angeles-County-University of Southern California Medical Center (the same residency program as Dr. Trupin). Since 1974, he has been in private practice in California, and provides obstetrical and gynecological care, operative laparoscopy, and operative hysteroscopy. Dr. Lichtman holds an appointment as Clinical Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine. He has been published in medical journals, including Contraception and Obstetrics and Gynecology. His video entitled Circumcision-Modern Concepts provides a concise review on performing relatively pain-free circumcision, and is in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' collection of educational materials.