It is standard in my area that payment is due at time of service. We check with the insurance company the day before or on the day of the appointment, see what the patient's responsibility is that day, and the patient pays prior to being seen. We almost never have to send any bills to office patients (only in unusual circumstances). No one runs up a bill. Patient's know ahead of time what is expected, and they do not assume a debt to us that they cannot afford. Payment plans are used occasionally when needed, but they must be adhered to in order to continue to be seen. Payment plans, like payments, should be worked out before the patient is seen. Having a standard policy in writing would be helpful for that, and the amounts and payment dates could be written in blanks. For hospital patients we try to get the bill to the patient as quick as possible and we do provide discounts for prompt payment.
