See, this is why I asked this question. In my experience, in the four months since we have become a lot more serious about collections, it has been quite frequent. First, I think it is important we look at the three types of discharge.
First, there is the patient who voluntarily leaves the practice due to relocation, insurance changes, not satisfied with care, etc. In those situations, I have not had a patient come back for a visit in 18 years. Now, some have asked to come back and most of these (unless they relocated) are allowed back.
Second, I send a letter of dismissal to a patient because I no longer wish to have him or her in the practice. They have done something like shout at one of my employees or no show multiple times. I give them 30 days from the date of the letter. Again, problematic, because I don't know when they receive it unless I receive a return receipt. None of these have returned, because it is human nature to not want to go to a doctor who has just told you he or she has kicked you out of his or her practice.
Now, the third one. This is the one that applies here. If they receive the collections letter and the dismissal letter, there is a fairly good chance they won't return. But, there seems to be a ten day period or more where they don't seem to have received the letter. Or they just don't care. Or they are brought in by a different parent (happens a lot) in a split family. They call to make an appointment and come in like nothing has happened. And, in these situations, it is hard for the staff to say you can't come in, because it is within the 30 days.
