The following are opinions from other DC¼s concerning the fee 
arrangement with patients. You can find my e-mail message .. cash 
check .. charge on the webpage under Previous Postings

2/21/01

HI Dr. M



It has been my experience as a front desk CA that the biggest 
problem in

collections is the DC.  The Dr should expect his staff to collect all 
fees

at time of service as with any other service/product that is 
provided.  If a

patient needs to discuss fees it should be with the CA.  Of course, 
it goes

without saying that the CA needs to know the value of the 
adjustment and

have a strong sense of the need for exchange.



The most effective way that I have found to keep total outstanding 
accounts

below 1/4 of a percent of total services is this phrase......... "Mrs. 
Game,

your balance today is $........., would you like to take care of that by

cash, chq or visa?"  It also helps to be prepared for any problems 
that

might arise.   IE:  Patient:  "I won't get paid until Friday"    CA:

"Its not a problem Mrs. Game.  What I need you to do, because i'm 
not

allowed to carry balances, is to provide me with a postdated 
cheque for

Friday or Monday if you need time to get to the bank.  That way if 
the

accountant does a spot check I wont get in trouble."  Makes the 
patient feel

that you are trying to find a way to help them out and prevents a 
potential

collection problem.



I hope you find this to be of help

Millie Hatcher, CHA ‚ Canada (mhatcher6@home.com)

Hi Dr. Joel,

Always a great topic.  Here in California, I work with a lot of 
doctors who 
are not aware that California has very strick laws about "creative" 
payment 
plans.  I remember the days, 15-20 years ago when we just stated 
our very 
reasonable costs, and if a patient was not able to pay for each visit 
at the 
time of the visit, they would make a payment agreement.  Similar to 
buying a 
car or home on credit.  What we have discovered is that it is best for 
them 
to look carefully at their budget, along with any partner who is 
involved in 
the money, and let us know exactly how much they can pay each 
month, and 
what specific day payment will be received.  They know that the 
balance is 
expected to be paid in full over time.  They value the care, and are 
more 
than happy to keep to an amount that works for them.  We have not 
charged 
interest on these accounts, as long as they keep to the payment plan.

Please caution doctors to check with their State Association and 
State 
Departments of Insurance and Corportations before starting any kind 
of 
"pre-paid" plans.  The laws are very specific here in California. 
Unfortunately many doctors are offering illegal plan, because they 
are being 
told by doctors that they can.  At some point there is going to be a 
big 
crack down and some of them will be before the State Board.

And as always Sherry Hodge has great scripts, DCSSS@aol.com. or 
www.sherryhodge.com.

I always tell my doctors that when insurance is a thing of the past, 
that if 
they offer quality care at affordable prices, the patients will 
continue to 
return when insurance is history.

Food for thought.  Lisa Bilodeau (lisa_bilodeau@hotmail.com)