Here are tips for medical practices for collecting full payment from patients at the time of service, according to a Medical Group Management Association tool:
1. Always begin by asking for the balance in full.
2. Develop a sense of urgency with the patient regarding the need for full payment at the time of service.
3. Politely explain that the medical group does not carry accounts without specific prior arrangements.
4. When establishing a new patient in the practice, get the name and full contact information of the financially responsible party prior to providing a major surgery, medical or ancillary procedure.
5. Obtain, with proper signatures, all credit information.
6. If the patient cannot pay at the time of service, obtain the date on which the account will be paid in full.
7. Instruct patients on how to use the e-commerce system of online payment.
8. Consider implementing a call center, separate from the front desk staff, to handle appointments, so that the front desk staff can focus on collections.
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1. Always begin by asking for the balance in full.
2. Develop a sense of urgency with the patient regarding the need for full payment at the time of service.
3. Politely explain that the medical group does not carry accounts without specific prior arrangements.
4. When establishing a new patient in the practice, get the name and full contact information of the financially responsible party prior to providing a major surgery, medical or ancillary procedure.
5. Obtain, with proper signatures, all credit information.
6. If the patient cannot pay at the time of service, obtain the date on which the account will be paid in full.
7. Instruct patients on how to use the e-commerce system of online payment.
8. Consider implementing a call center, separate from the front desk staff, to handle appointments, so that the front desk staff can focus on collections.
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