Medical Debt Collection Tips for Healthcare Providers

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Medical Debt Collection Tips for Healthcare
Providers

• www.oscollections.com.au

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Medical facilities, clinics, hospitals, dentists
and other healthcare providers face increasing
challenges in today's slow economy. These
providers are experiencing substantial losses due
to the rapidly escalating number of delinquent
accounts. Fortunately in Australia we have good
Medicare coverage and many people have private
insurance. Over 47 million Americans have no
health care insurance coverage at all, while
those that do have coverage are often under
insured.
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Prior to accepting a patient and rendering
medical service, medical providers should obtain
as much information about the patient as
possible. At a minimum, the patient's full name,
home and work addresses and telephone numbers,
home, work and cell phone numbers, email
addresses, Medicare number, date of birth, and
the name of a relative should be maintained in
addition to any insurance coverage the patient
may have. This will be helpful in medical debt
collection.
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Oftentimes, payment is not made simply because
the patient is confused as to his/her obligations
regarding deductible amounts, insurance coverage,
etc. Make it a practice to clarify your payment
policies at the outset prior to any services
being rendered, to avoid misunderstandings later
and state clearly what the patient's payment
obligations are.
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As is often the case with any debt for services
rendered, past due medical bills become less
important to the patient after treatment has been
completed and the patient is feeling better.
Other bills, such as credit cards, car payments,
the mortgage, etc. may take precedence over a
past due doctor bill. By creating clear and
consistent policies, such as sending timely
statements every 15-30 days and following up with
telephone calls, you will distinguish patients
who are willing to pay their bills.
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Patients who are communicating with your office
and demonstrate a sincere desire to pay their
bills despite financial hardships they may be
experiencing should be handled differently from
those who ignore your communications or simply
refuse to make any payment arrangements at all.
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If a patient has not paid their medical debt, or
arranged for a payment plan within ninety (90)
days following their treatment, the case should
be referred to a medical collection agency
offering outstanding collections in Australia
sooner rather than later for better recovery
success.
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Contact Us
P.O. Box 373, Sutherland NSW,Australia,1499 Email
- richardmc_at_oscollections.com.au Phone No- 61 2
9545 3115 Website- www.oscollections.com.au