Delinquent patient accounts can distract health care professionals from their mission of providing the best care and growing the practice. Health care providers are put in a difficult position when patients due not pay them. Small practices are especially burdened, as their do not have a large staff to begin with, and cannot afford to have large outstanding receivables.

However the good news is that medical and dental practices can decrease the number of patient files referred for collection. Here is how:

• Obtain complete contact information, including home/mobile/office phone numbers and email.
• Make certain patients sign a patient financial agreement with you. The agreement should clearly outline your office policies regarding insurance billing, your expectations for payment, and an outline of the consequences for non-payment. Include your office policy on missed appointments and checks returned for insufficient funds. 
• Whenever possible, obtain patient insurance information beforehand, verify coverage details and review in writing with patient. After review, ask patient to sign statement that they understand the terms and conditions of their insurance policy. With the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the mainstreaming of large deductible medical plans, consumers are more confused than ever about what their insurance plans cover, and what their financial responsibility. A good number of patients eventually referred for collection are delinquent simply because they do not understand their insurance policy.
• Offer health care financing and payment plans when possible. Document all payment plans in writing. 
• Institute a regular monthly review of delinquent patient accounts. Have a consistent in-house debt collection process in place. Set your limit on how long you will wait for payment, and then work with a collection agency that understands your practice and will work in partnership with you.

Looking to hire a collection agency but not sure where to start? We can help!