C H A P T E R 8 8 Collecting Fees. Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson...

C H A P T E RC H A P T E R

88 Collecting Fees

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.

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Paying for Medical Services11

U N I TU N I T


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Factors Used in Determining Fees

The physician considers: Time spent with the patient The complexity of the diagnosis The treatment Fees of similar specialists in the area Cost of running and staffing the office


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Information Obtained from Every New Patient

Patient data sheet Demographic information Referral information Insurance information Insurance cards copied Additional coverage


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When to Discuss Payment Planning

The Truth in Lending Act specifies that when there is an agreement between the physician and the patient to accept payment in more than four installments, the physician is required to provide disclosure of finance charges.


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Credit Arrangements

Developing a payment plan Helps ease patient’s mind Patient can concentrate on getting well

The Truth in Lending Act


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Reasons for Accepting Credit Cards

Credit cards make it convenient for the patient.

Carrying cash can place the patient at risk if the cash is lost or stolen.

Credit card payments can be accepted over the phone.


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Unit Summary

What information is required from all new patients?

When would you use the federal Truth in Lending Act in the medical office?


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Bookkeeping Procedures22

U N I TU N I T


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Transferring Charges

Transferring information from one record to another is called posting.

Charges are transferred from the billing slip to the daily log and to the patient ledger.


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Itemized Statements

A detailed listing that includes: Date of service Description of the service Charge for the service Payments or adjustments Balance on the account


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Exceptions to UsualBilling Procedures

When the patient is applying for insurance, physical exams may be billed to the insurance company.

Bills may be sent to the estate of deceased patients.

(continued)


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Exceptions to Usual Billing Procedures

Legal consultations may be billed to the physician.

No further statements or attempts to collect a debt can occur after you receive official notice of bankruptcy.


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Pegboard/Write-It-Once System

Entries are made simultaneously on the ledger, daysheet, and charge slip.


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Unit Summary

How would you describe an itemized statement?

What are three exceptions to the usual billing procedures in the medical office?


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Billing and Collections33U N I TU N I T


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Advantages of Computerized Billing

Software can perform the following: Post charges Provide a variety of statistical information

regarding patients, diagnoses, charges, and payments

Provide monthly and year-to-date billing information


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Locating Accounts in a Computer System

Patients can be located by: Entering the account number Performing an alpha search using the first

few letters of the last name


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Account History

This feature automatically shows the balance on the account and the number of days the account has been due.

The account history can be printed and given to the patient.


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Reasons to WithholdBilling Statements

Patients who would not receive a bill include:

Government-assisted patients (Medi-Cal or Medicare)

Patients seen for workers compensation Families of patients who have recently died


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Aging of Accounts

Accounts begin to age the day the service is posted.

Accounts are divided into groups based on the length of time that has passed since the last payment.

Accounts with payments within the last 30 days are considered current.


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Statute of Limitations

States set guidelines that establish the number of years during which legal collection procedures may be filed against a patient.


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Unit Summary

What is an alpha search? How would you describe an account

history?


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Keys to Career Success

The successful medical assistant realizes the importance of the business aspects of the medical office.

Billing in the office, whether done by hand or by a computerized system, generates the revenue necessary to keep the office open.


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Hot Links to Career Success

www.medicalbillingandcoding.net Medical Billing and Coding information

http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.net/

C H A P T E R 8 8 Collecting Fees. Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson...

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Transcript of C H A P T E R 8 8 Collecting Fees. Copyright © 2008 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson...