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Strategies for Improving Patient Collections

Writer's picture: gaflexteamgaflexteam

Updated: Nov 30, 2022


As patient cost-sharing obligations continue to increase, attention to organizational systems and processes for patient collections has become increasingly important. Critical Access Hospitals can implement some simple proactive steps to ensure the timely collection of patients' financial obligations and to increase revenue.


Below are Simple Ways to Improve Patient Collections

Organizational Set-Up

Set up your organization to maximize collections


  • Accept multiple payment methods, including cash, credit cards, checks 

  • Allow patients to pay online 

  • Make practice payment policy visible to patients 

  • Invest in an insurance verification system

  • Develop and implement a collections process 

  • Educate your staff on effective collection techniques


Before the Visit

Find out what your patients (will) owe and let them know


  • Obtain updated patient information, including insurance information

  • Provide patients with an estimate of out-of-pocket costs, including copays and deductibles

  • Inform patients of their payment obligation during scheduling and again at the time of the visit


During the Visit

Collect at the time of the visit


  • Collect all co-pays, deductibles, and past-due amounts at the time of the visit


After the Visit

Make the billing process simple, flexible and patient-centered


  • Send patients a simple bill with easy-to-find information

  • Provide them with multiple options for paying the bill, including offering payment plans

  • Follow up with calls to patients with outstanding bills after two bill reminders have been sent

  • Assess whether outsourcing may make your billing and collection process more efficient


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FLEX Technical Assistance Team

Center for Public Health Practice and Research

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia

(912) 478-2581

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