"BY THE WAY, DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THAT COMPANY THAT MANAGES PAYMENT PLANS THROUGH A CREDIT CARD SYSTEM WHERE THE PATIENT HAS TO ATTACH A CREDIT CARD AND AGREE TO A MONTHLY PAYMENT."
Interestingly, In the charge screen in ACPM, there's a drop down for Card on File, but when I called ACPM to look into activating that option, they were surprised I asked because apparently no one uses that functionality; ultimately they said it's just a box and doesn't do anything.
Going back to the note types in ACPM that I mentioned before, I've created a note for this purpose. We offer to put a copy of a patient's HSA card or credit card of their choice on file, it goes on a paper form, and I flag the account with a note. They are kept in a non-electronic file in a secured cabinet so that, in the unlikely event of a breach, no one's financial information is compromised. I offer to work out a payment plan with the patient in advance in writing, which I can have the patient review with me and initial and then set up reminders to myself in AC on specific dates to call the patient and remind them I'm processing a payment for them and once it goes through, I send them a credit card receipt with an updated statement.
This method seems to work well, because I can ask the patient on which specific dates they want me to process the payments. So far, I've not had any payments bounce and when I do call the patient to remind them, they can always have me wait if things are tight that week. But at least we have an open channel of communication and a process they can feel comfortable with. Most patients would rather deal with me than with an outside company that might stick them with finance charges for paying over the phone.
Perhaps this type of methodology could be useful to your receptionists on patient's with a substantial balance? Just a thought.
