Consultants offer collections advice
By Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
Updated Fri June 20, 2014
It's no secret that providers have historically shied away from going after beneficiaries who are slow to pay, but in an environment where every dollar counts that's changing, say consultants. Here, they offer a few basic—and practically free—tips to help providers get what they are owed.
Be upfront
Let the beneficiary know before they walk out the door how much he or she is going to have to pay, says consultant Kelly Wolfe.
“The providers I see have a good return rate if they just let them know right away they are going to have that balance,” said Wolfe, CEO of Regency Billing and Consulting.
Keep it simple
Healthcare providers are notorious for sending overly-complicated statements, says consultant Bruce Brothis. That means they include elements like the billed amount, contractual amount, insurance adjustments and any other debits and credits.
“If you give that to an 89-year-old oxygen patient they are going to say, 'What is this?'” said Brothis, president of Allegient Billing & Consulting. “We've started sending out very simple invoices, one per transaction. They say this is what you got on this date, and here's what you owe.”
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