Gather information to aid collection process

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Tara Meek of Physicians Credit Bureau offered some advice to help physicians improve their own collection efforts:|ret||ret||tab|

Know the patient|ret||ret||tab|

Learn as much as possible about the patient and make your credit policy clear before the service is given. Physicians should obtain:|ret||ret||tab|

the patient's full name and birth date;|ret||ret||tab|

the full name of person financially responsible for the patient, their address, work and home phone numbers, and a phone number for a relative;|ret||ret||tab|

the patient's Social Security number;|ret||ret||tab|

the patient's employer, job title, supervisor, address and phone number;|ret||ret||tab|

the name and address of the patient's insurance company, and verification of this information at the time of the visit, if possible.|ret||ret||tab|

Predict potential problems|ret||ret||tab|

Indicators of potential collection problems include:|ret||ret||tab|

several jobs in a short period of time;|ret||ret||tab|

frequent moves;|ret||ret||tab|

no phone.|ret||ret||tab|

Procedures|ret||ret||tab|

Tips for successful collections include:|ret||ret||tab|

get payment at the time of treatment; if insured, ask for the portion not covered by insurance;|ret||ret||tab|

send an itemized statement within 30 days of the patient's visit;|ret||ret||tab|

30 days later send another statement;|ret||ret||tab|

14 days later send a friendly reminder;|ret||ret||tab|

10 days later call;|ret||ret||tab|

if there is no response, send a final letter stating that the account is being placed for collection.|ret||ret||tab|

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