Learn how and when to use Cash Pay.
What is Cash Pay?
Cash Pay is when you pay a provider directly at the time of your visit instead of billing insurance. You can choose to cash pay at any time. This can include using a cash card or paying out of pocket. Here is the Guide on how to submit claims.
When to Use Cash Pay
Cash Pay is often used for simple, upfront services where pricing is known or can be estimated ahead of time. Cash pay might be a good choice when:
- The provider does not accept insurance / is out-of-network with your plan
- It is more cost effective to cash pay a procedure
- You’re using a Yuzu Cash Card for eligible services
- Your plan care navigators recommend Cash Pay (see your insurance card for care navigator/coordinator contact details)
How to Use Cash Pay
How to Find Your Cash Pay Card
- Your Cash Pay Card will be sent to you by your plan (often, by your care navigator) through your most common method of communication.
What to Expect When Presenting Cash Pay
- The provider might ask for payment at time of service. This is entirely up to the provider. Some providers are comfortable billing as cash pay and you will get a bill via mail or via provider portal.
- Services and pricing should be estimated prior to the services being rendered. It is always best practice to get a Good Faith Estimate or second best a receipt that has the services rendered for documentation.
Obtaining a Receipt
It is best practice to get a receipt that includes the following:
- Provider name and contact details
- Patient name
- Date of service
- Total amount charged and paid
- A brief explanation of services rendered and/or CPT codes
If the provider can’t include everything, that’s okay — just get as much detail as they’re able to provide. This is only a requirement for anything over $500, but should be best practice for all charges, if possible.
Getting a payment receipt that reflects the services rendered helps ensure your records accurately reflect the care you received. This is especially important for cash pay, since services are often estimated at the time of payment and may not automatically update after your visit. It can also help hold the provider accountable for payment in full.
If at any point you need clarification or help, please contact your plan’s care navigators for assistance! Their contact information is represented on your insurance card and can also be found
Cash Pay FAQs
Can I use cash cards with an HSA-eligible plan?
If you are enrolled in an HSA-eligible health plan, the plan’s deductible must be met before using a cash card for medical services.
This helps ensure your plan remains HSA-eligible and helps prevent HSA funds from becoming taxable or penalized. Using a cash card before meeting your deductible may create compliance or tax issues if the expense is later reimbursed or treated as plan-paid care.
Can I use my HSA for cash-pay services and still get reimbursed?
In most cases, no. You should generally not use your HSA to pay for a cash-pay medical expense if that expense will later be reimbursed by insurance or another benefit.
If you pay for a medical expense using your HSA and then receive a reimbursement for that same expense, IRS rules require you to return the reimbursed amount back into your HSA. This must be done as a correction (called a mistaken distribution) by the tax filing deadline to avoid taxes and penalties.
If the reimbursed amount is not returned to your HSA on time, the original HSA withdrawal may be treated as taxable income and could be subject to penalties.