Hi Boondoc,
Thanks for the info again. I hope this doesn't come across as arguing with someone who is giving me advice, it just brings up questions. The very questions that have come up with this process.
Once they go to collection, you are turning the bill over to someone else and you will not be paid the full amount. At this point, you need to discharge them or you will get into a big mess as they continue to present without paying. They are also more likely to sue you after you send them to collections if you keep seeing them.
But, you don't discharge them until you send them to collections. It is at this point that you would send them a letter explaining about how to find another doctor, ER, etc. And, that they have 30 days. The whole idea about the 30 days, less if you wish, more if they have multiple or severe medical problems which may need to be addressed longer, is that you are still responsible for their care. That is more than referring them to a local ER. If they request an appointment or walk in, and they are sick, you must see them or it is abandonment. Again, why give a 30-day notice if you aren't going to see them at all. And, I would argue if they walk in or page you, you would be better off taking care of them, lest they say you refused to see them due to their back balance. After the 30 days, they are officially not my patient, and I do not need to see them. But, as you state, they are more likely to sue you during that period, but you have to see them during that period.
Tell them it is the office policy to send them to a different doctor after they have gone to collections.
So, you can send them to a different doctor, but they have 30 days to find one.
Tell them they have serious medical problems they need to follow ASAP with their new doctor. Give them 30 days and do NOT see them again.
It is my understanding that if the patient has complex issues, it is important to give them more than 30 days. Thirty days is a number that people generally use.
You are accountable on following up on that referral, liable if they do not go, etc.
I agree I am liable on following up on the referral. But, I don't see where I am liable if they don't go. I have plenty of patients in my practice in good standing who don't go to referrals, and other than reminding them, I am not liable for their decision.
You discharge them when they go to collections
So, again, you may have to see them again, unless I am missing something. Again, not trying to completely disagree. It just isn't so straightforward.
I agree that it is a good idea to send the collections letter and discharge letter as Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. But, what if you do not get the return receipt. I guess you could hand deliver it to them the next time they come in and get a signature. I generally don't put my return address on the Certified Mail, as they likely know what it would entail.
