I talked about it today with my biller. We were thinking don't give anything for the copay (as I know you meant), because most will just come in and pay it. Why should she get paid for that. But, if you gave $2.50 for a $25.00 copay, then if they pay it doesn't go toward a back balance. We also talked about what if a patient comes in and says I owe $400 for a back balance, why should she get anything.
But, if you go this route (and we likely will), there are too many issues with putting too many stipulations on it. She says, they came in for a visit, and I asked. Who's to say she didn't. Just look at it like it is part of her pay and part of doing business. I have spoken with my other staff and all are in favor and none of them are jealous that they don't have this opportunity. I also thought about her doing all the reminder calls and mentioning the back balnace. At first, I thought that this may turn people off, but it would get her to do the reminder calls twice and just get her totally immersed in back balances. Everyone has a part of their job that don't like. Paying them for it will likely make it bearable, if not something they like.
Trista is always extremely helpful. I like her method. I guess it could be hard also. The reason it is so helpful is that I hate payment plans. They send for two months and then they stop paying. What do you do? Send to collections. Dismiss them? Or they come in and don't pay a $105 visit. So, the three months of $20 did little.
What I was referring to was this company where a patient who was agreeing to a payment plan to stay out of collections or being dismissed after four invoices, would agree to putting their credit card information with this company. That company would collect and take a small cut. This method does three things. First, it reveals that the patient really intends on paying, second, you get the money monthly, every month, and third, if it is over the limit, they have violated the agreement. And, if they stop the auto payment, you know they are basically saying, "I have no intention of paying the balance."
I always tell my staff and remind myself to look at it like it was your own doctor. If I were reminded about my appointment, and they told me that I had a balance, I wouldn't think, "Well the nerve of them asking for their money."
