The best solution for reducing patient accounts receivables is to prevent it in the first place. You won't be able to fix all the stuff that is currently in receivables but the situation will get better over time.
I echo Leslie and others thoughts about the way it used to be and how we could let a lot "slide."
No more. High deductibles and lowered reimbursements along with ever increasing expenses mean either collect it efficiently or go broke. There will also be a few exceptions where the receptionist asks me to "override".
Collect copays when the patient checks in.
Also, we have started preauthorizing $150 on a credit card (placing a hold, not charging) for every visit up front for patients who are expected to owe anything. When the EOB comes in the patient's responsibility is charged to the card and they get a receipt by email. If their responsibility exceeds $150 the patient also gets a statement by the US mail for the amount over $150. THis is all done automatically by our practice management program (not Amazing Charts). We have a 1 page handout explaining this process to patients that we handout up front.
