Q:

Dr. M.

Do utilize the services of a collection agency and if, which one?  Also, for patients that have 
disappeared, at what point do you hire a collection agency and what is the success rate?  I 
have a friend who has collection background and has done the letter writing and hit the 
credit report, etc, but there doesn't seem to be anything else to be done to get me paid, 
outside of small claims court. 
Any suggestions?

A:

Thanks for your e-mail and sorry for the delay in answering.

As far as collections it is a hit and miss. After 23 years of practice I still am bewildered how 
many irresponsible people are out there. Patients taking insurance checks .. not paying their 
bills etc. If they are deadbeats they will always be deadbeats and all the threats and lawsuits 
will usually be met with the same thing .. still no payments. So it boils down to a numbers 
game and trial and error. There are some companies .. Transworld is one .. that sells you a 
checkbook of transmittal letters in advance. In other words .. you purchase a set number 
billing procedures in advance over a year or two basis. When you have a patient that needs 
some urging to pay you fill out their form and send it to them. They in turn send letters to 
your patient attempting to have an outside collection service stimulate them. If the letters do 
not work they ask if you wish to go to the next stronger level which is using their attorney 
firm. If you agree .. they will go all the way to court or garnish wages etc. but you must 
pay 50% of what they get. I do no have Transworld in my database here but you can 
probably look them up on the internet or better yet call your state chiropractic association 
and ask if they recommend a company or two .. usually they will have a venue during 
convention time.

Have a Great Day

Dr. M