Đang tải... (xem toàn văn)
Chapter 17 - Patient billing and collections. After completing chapter 17, you will be able to: Discuss the importance of accounts receivable to a medical practice, explain how to accept and account for payment from patients, prepare an invoice, manage a billing cycle efficiently,...
PowerPoint® to accompany Medical Assisting Chapter 17 Second Edition Ramutkowski Booth Pugh Thompson Whicker Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Permission required for reproduction or display Patient Billing and Collections Objectives: 171 Discuss the importance of accounts receivable to a medical practice 172 Explain how to accept and account for payment from patients 173 Prepare an invoice 174 Manage a billing cycle efficiently Patient Billing and Collections Objectives (cont.) 175 Describe standard collection techniques 176 Explain how to perform a credit check 177 Identify credit arrangements 178 Recognize common collection problems Introduction Medical Assistants will take on duties that are administrative in nature Customers have various payment options Third party payers (insurance carriers) Payment plans Some have large outstanding balances A proper understanding and administration of billing as well as payment collection methods is required Basic Accounting Managing accounts receivable (money owed to the business) and accounts payable Converts practice’s account receivable delete into readily available income Standard Payment Procedures Prefer to collect payments from patients at each office visit Determine appropriate fees Relative Value Unit (RVU) Doctor’s skill and time Professional liability expenses Overhead costs This methodology has reduced the growth rate of spending for doctors’ professional services, related services and supplies, and other Medicare B services Processing Charge Slips Charge slips are also called fee slip or transaction slips Numbered consecutively Preprinted with common services and charges Give each patient one when entering the office that includes date and patient’s name Accepting Payment As the patient leaves you will ask for payment Most practices accept: cash check credit cards insurance Pegboard System Each transaction on four different forms Reduces errors and saves time Called “onewrite” system Uses lightweight board with pegs Daily log sheets Patient ledger card Charge slips Deposit slips Determining Payment Responsibility Third party – responsibility to pay by insurance company Minors – Parents or legal custody Professional courtesy – doctor charges for what the insurance will pay or free 10 Managing Billing Cycles Cycle billing is a common billing system that bills each patient only once a month but spreads the work of billing over the month Invoice groups of patients every few days 12 Standard Collection Procedures Statue of limitations – set time limit on when a collection suit on a past due account can legally be filed Open book account –open to charges made occasionally Written contract account – contract with patient to pay over four installations Single entry account account with only one charge 13 Using Collection Techniques Initial telephone calls or letters Do not call patients at work or leave a message on an answering machine Call the patient at home 14 Preparing Statements A statement is an invoice that contains a courteous reminder that payment is due Collection letter 60 days – nice but firm 90 days – stronger wording 120 days send a final letter about payment or giving the account to a collection agency 15 Preparing an Age Analysis The process of classifying and reviewing past due accounts by age from the first date of billing List all patients account balances when the charges originated Use patient ledger cards and color coded tags to indicate the number of days past due Click for Sample Age Analysis 16 Sample Age Analysis Back 17 Laws of Debt Collection Fair Debt Collection Practices Act of 1977 Do not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m Do not make threats or use profane language Do not discuss patient’s debt with anyone else Do not use any form of deception or violence to collect a debt Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 Do not use an automated dialing device for calls to patients 18 Observing Professional Guidelines Appropriate to assess finances charges or late charges on past due accounts if the patient is notified in advance Must adhere to federal and state guidelines that govern these charges The physician should use compassion and discretion when assigning charges in hardship cases 19 Using Outside Collection Agencies Select a collection agency to manage the account Must be careful to avoid collection agencies that use harsh or harassing collection practices Give agency only needed information about nonmedical information 20 Performing a Credit Check Employment Verification Credit Bureau Reports – a company that provides information about the credit worthiness of a person seeking credit 21 Laws Governing Credit Equal Credit Opportunity Act May not deny credit based on patient’s sex, race, religion, national origin, martial status, or age Truth in Lending Act Covers credit agreements that involve more than four payments Must sign, discuss, and retain copies of a disclosure statement 22 Common Collection Problems Hardship cases Patients may be poor, uninsured, or underinsured Patient relocation and address changes Remember not to discuss a debt with anyone except the person responsible for the charge 23 Apply Your Knowledge Answer What is cycle billing ? Cycle billing is a common billing system that bills each patient only once a month but spreads the work of billing over the month 24 Summary Medical Assistant Obtain payments by cash, check, or credit cards at the time medical services are provided You may assign the fee for these services and collect payment 25 End of Chapter 26 ...Patient Billing and Collections Objectives: 17 1 Discuss the importance of accounts receivable to a medical practice 17 2 Explain how to accept and account for payment from patients 17 3 Prepare an invoice... 17 3 Prepare an invoice 17 4 Manage a billing cycle efficiently Patient Billing and Collections Objectives (cont.) 17 5 Describe standard collection techniques 17 6 Explain how to perform a credit check 17 7 Identify credit arrangements... Summary Medical Assistant Obtain payments by cash, check, or credit cards at the time medical services are provided You may assign the fee for these services and collect payment 25 End of Chapter