Many doctors are poor business people because they agree to work for nothing. How many of you would tolerate people eating a dinner at your restaurant, and then purposely leaving without paying? My staff will not work for free, and neither will I. If you want to give charity, just do it. But failing to collect on your past due accounts is not fair to your other patients. I have plenty that lack funds but pay their bills. Why shouldn't they get a discount? Should you just give a discount to those overdue by writing it off?
If patients call me, I'm glad to set them up with a payment plan. I even allow small amounts, but they have to keep up with the services they are using. I give a discount to self-pay patients. Sometimes when people get into a debt they cannot pay, I will write off a large portion if they will cover some of it. Other people do not pay, and never had any intention of paying. We see more of this as deductibles have gone 'through the roof' under Obamacare. You have to feel for the patients, who are bearing a higher cost of healthcare under the "Affordable" Care Act. However, you also have to respect yourself.
My plumber makes 200 per hour and charges 100 per hour for his apprentices on the site. He does not give me a break, offers no cash pay discounts, and does not work with insurances. He's busy beyond belief, and people pay their bills. Patient also pay $150 per month for the ever present smart phones, pay more than $100 per month for cable television, pay $200 per month extra in fuel to drive monster trucks around, and pay $300 -$600 per month in cigarettes. So why should you be the last to get paid? Because you are easiest not to pay.
Legally, you cannot refuse to see a patient because of their bill. This would be abandonment according to my counsel. Your only choice is to discharge them or eat the balance.
