How to Pay Your Natera Bill and Understand Your Payment Options

What Natera.com payments are and where they go

Natera is a genetic testing and diagnostics company that bills patients directly for prenatal screening, carrier screening, cancer monitoring, and other lab tests. When you see a charge from Natera on your bill or credit card, it is payment for a test your doctor ordered, usually during pregnancy or as part of cancer treatment follow-up. The payment goes to Natera, not to your doctor's office or hospital — even though your doctor ordered the test.

Natera bills you in one of three ways: your insurance may cover part or all of the cost, you may receive a bill after insurance processes it, or you may be asked to pay upfront before the test is performed. Understanding which situation applies to you matters because it changes when you pay, how much you owe, and what payment methods are available.

Key Takeaways

• Natera bills separately from your doctor or hospital, so you will receive a distinct invoice with Natera's name on it.
• You can pay by phone, online through your Natera patient account, by mail, or sometimes through a payment plan if you cannot pay in full.
• If your insurance denied the test or you have a high deductible, ask Natera about financial hardship programs before paying the full amount.
• Unpaid Natera bills can be sent to collections, which damages your credit score, so contacting them about payment options is better than ignoring the bill.

How to pay a Natera bill online or by phone

The fastest way to pay is through your Natera patient account at natera.com. Log in with your date of birth and the account number from your bill, then select the invoice you want to pay. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or bank account (ACH transfer). Online payment usually posts within one to two business days.

If you do not have an online account or prefer to speak with someone, call Natera's billing department at the phone number on your bill. A representative can take payment over the phone by card or bank account and can also discuss payment plans or financial hardship options. Phone lines are typically available Monday through Friday during business hours.

You can also mail a check or money order to the address listed on your bill. Include your account number on the check and mail it to the address shown. Mailed payments take longer to process — usually five to ten business days — so if you are close to a collection deadline, pay online or by phone instead.

Payment plans and financial hardship programs

If you cannot pay the full amount at once, Natera offers payment plans that let you split the bill into monthly installments. The number of months available and whether interest is charged depends on the total amount owed and Natera's current policies. Call the billing number on your invoice to ask about a plan; representatives can often set one up over the phone and start your first payment immediately.

Natera also has a financial hardship program for patients who meet income requirements. This program may reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket cost if your household income is below a certain threshold. You will need to provide proof of income — usually a recent tax return, pay stub, or benefit statement — and complete a form. Ask about this program when you call about your bill; it is separate from payment plans and may take one to two weeks to process.

What happens if you do not pay

If your bill remains unpaid for 60 to 90 days, Natera will typically send it to a collections agency. Once an account is in collections, the debt appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score by 50 to 100 points or more. A collections account stays on your report for seven years, even after you pay it.

Before your account reaches collections, Natera will send you reminder notices and may call you. If you receive these notices, contact Natera immediately — even if you cannot pay the full amount. Explaining your situation and setting up a payment plan stops the collections process. If your account has already been sent to collections, you can still negotiate with the collections agency or contact Natera to see if they will take the account back.

Insurance denial and what to do next

Sometimes your insurance company denies coverage for a Natera test because they consider it experimental, not medically necessary, or outside your plan's coverage. When this happens, Natera will bill you for the full cost. Do not assume the denial is final — you have the right to appeal.

Ask your doctor's office to file an appeal with your insurance company on your behalf. Include medical records showing why the test was necessary. If the appeal is denied again, ask Natera if they will reduce the bill or place you in their financial hardship program while you decide whether to pay or dispute the charge further. Some patients also contact their state's insurance commissioner's office if they believe the denial was unfair, though this process takes time and does not stop the bill from being due in the meantime.

Understanding your Natera bill

Your Natera bill shows the test name, the amount your insurance was billed, what insurance paid (if anything), and what you owe. The "patient responsibility" line is what you are expected to pay. This amount includes your deductible, coinsurance, or the full cost if insurance denied the claim.

If the amount seems wrong, compare it to your insurance explanation of benefits (EOB), which your insurance company sends separately. The EOB shows what your plan covered and why. If the Natera bill does not match the EOB, call Natera's billing department with both documents in front of you — they can often correct billing errors on the spot or explain the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if my insurance covers the test after I already paid?

Yes. If you paid out of pocket and your insurance later covers the test, contact Natera with a copy of your insurance explanation of benefits showing the payment. Natera will review the claim and issue a refund if the insurance payment should have been applied to your account. Refunds typically take two to four weeks to process.

What if I never received a bill from Natera?

Log into your Natera patient account at natera.com to check for unpaid invoices. If you do not have an account, call the number on any paperwork from your doctor's office related to the test. Natera can look up your account by name and date of birth. If a bill was sent to an old address, ask them to update your contact information and resend the invoice.

Does Natera accept Medicare or Medicaid?

Natera accepts Medicare and Medicaid, but coverage varies by state and plan. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan's deductible and coinsurance. Call the billing number on your bill to confirm what your plan covers before paying anything.

Can I dispute a Natera charge on my credit card?

You can file a dispute with your credit card company, but this does not erase the debt — it only delays payment while the dispute is investigated. Natera will likely provide documentation that the test was performed and billed correctly, and your card company will side with them. It is faster to contact Natera directly about payment options or billing errors.

What if the test was ordered by my doctor but I did not consent to it?

Contact Natera and your doctor's office immediately. If you did not consent to the test, you may not be responsible for the bill. Natera can cancel the test and void the charge if it was ordered without your knowledge. Your doctor's office should also have a record of whether you signed a consent form.