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1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 1
Medical Billing Made Easy™
Presents
Let’s Collect Deductibles Let’s Collect Deductibles in 2012: in 2012:
Tips for Improving Tips for Improving Self Pay CollectionsSelf Pay Collections
Beginning now…
www.Kareo.com
Today’s ProgramToday’s Program
Introduction Presentation:
Sara Larch, MSHA, FACMPE Kareo Special Offer:
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 3
Sponsored by
Scott Cramer, Senior Sales Executive, Kareo Questions
How to Participate TodayHow to Participate Today
• Arrow = Open/close your panel
• Questions = Submit text questions
Sponsored by
Follow-up email with video link within 24 hours
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 2
Medical Billing Made Easy™
Presents
Let’s Collect Deductibles Let’s Collect Deductibles in 2012: in 2012:
Tips for Improving Tips for Improving Self Pay Collections Self Pay Collections
Sara M. Larch, MSHA, FACMPE
www.businessofmedicine.com
Let’s Collect Deductibles Let’s Collect Deductibles in 2012: in 2012:
Tips for Improving Tips for Improving Self Pay CollectionsSelf Pay CollectionsSelf Pay CollectionsSelf Pay Collections
January 19, 2012Sara M. Larch, MSHA, FACMPEPrincipal, Business of Medicine
Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives
What the medical practice’s staff need to know Overview of patient collections Importance of patient communications Best practices in self pay collections at time of
service
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 7
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Managing cash flow in 2012 Q1 (Jan-Mar) Medical group education
Copyright 2012 Larch www.businessofmedicine.com
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 3
What Your Staff Need to KnowWhat Your Staff Need to Know
Schedule meeting this week Time = $$ It is not just about the staff Must include physicians,
non-physician providers, nursing
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 8
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p y p , gpersonnel – everyone that works in your practice
Overview of Patient CollectionsOverview of Patient Collections
Why is this important? More self pay accounts in 2012 More self pay = deductibles (Patients selecting
high deductible plans) More deductibles due More patients are underinsured
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 9
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o e pat e ts a e u de su ed This creates more risk in your collection
performance Focus: manage deductibles and increase
revenue collected at time of service Do we know enough about our own patient
collections?
Patient has no insurance - confirmed
Patient states they have no insurance – do not want to use it for this encounter
Self pay after insurance
Patient charity care vs. patient bad debt
Patients aged 18-23 status often unclear
Largest balances include auto accidents & workers comp not billed to
What Is in Your “Patient Collections” What Is in Your “Patient Collections” Category or Account Type?Category or Account Type?
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 10
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p y Self pay – payment plan Self pay – bad address Self pay – pending
Medicaid Self pay – financial
hardship Mixture of indigent and
situational financial hardships
pappropriate party
Patients sitting in self pay that have insurance When you add insurance to
existing patient’s account, must review account to see if there are dates of service within effective dates
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 4
What Percentage of What Percentage of Your Total Annual Revenue?Your Total Annual Revenue?
Patient Responsibility as % of Total Annual Revenue:
2007: 12%2011: 20%
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 11
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2011: 20%2012: 30% (forecast)
Source: “The ‘Retailish’ Future of Patient Collections” www.celent.com
Copyright 2012 Larch www.businessofmedicine.com
Industry Experts Say…Industry Experts Say…
20% of total AR – patient receivables (per HFMA Self Pay/Point of Collection Survey, 12/09).
% of Americans under age 65 out of pocket expenses for family exceeds $2,000/year =
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 12
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37% in 1996, 43% in 2003 1 in 5 families with employer based insurance
had deductibles greater than $5,000 in 2008. Collecting payments at registration leads to 80-
100% recovery – post service less than 40%.Source: www.ntelagent.com and Kaiser Family Foundation survey on health benefits unless noted otherwise.
Industry Experts Say… (Cont’d.)Industry Experts Say… (Cont’d.)
Practices can expect to only collect 50-70% after s/he is treated.(per McKinsey and Company)
65% of all patient bad debt is the result of insured patients, not uninsured
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 13
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p , Bad debt – 50% showed capacity to pay; 17%
could be evaluated for MA or charity careSource: www.ntelagent.com and Kaiser Family Foundation survey on health benefits unless noted otherwise.
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 5
My Own “Self Pay” Journey Started in My Own “Self Pay” Journey Started in 20032003
Total A/R
Unadjudicated A/R (new)
Disputed Claims (Denied/Appeals)
Self-Pay Patient Financial Charity
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 14
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After Able to Hardship Care Insurance Pay (Partial Pay) Potential: 100% 100% 15-30% 0%
Borders are not currently known.
$14m or
20% of AR
Journey Continues in 03: HJourney Continues in 03: How Much Self ow Much Self Pay Do We Have? How Collectible Is It?Pay Do We Have? How Collectible Is It?
Annual Self Pay Charges $33m (annualized on Jul-Sep 03)- Transfers to Insurance $25.2m
+ Transfers from Insurance $27.2mNet Self Pay Charges $35m
CollectibilitySelf Pay After InsuranceCopays co insurance deductibles 100%
Based on FY03Q1Transfers by 2-03
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 15
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Copays, co insurance, deductibles 100% Elective services 100% Balances from commercial/no contract payors 50% Non-covered services 15-50% Insurance information invalid 15%
Self Pay - No Insurance Charity Care 0 Financial Hardship 15-30% Able to Pay 100%
Journey: How Many Self Pay Accounts Journey: How Many Self Pay Accounts and In What Dollar Ranges?and In What Dollar Ranges?
Account Dollar Ranges
# of Accounts
% of Total
Self Pay AR $'s
% of Total
>10,000 110 0% $1,236,510 9%
5,000-9,999 216 1% $1,646,136 12%
2,000-4,999 786 3% $3,152,646 23%
1,000-1,999 1,320 5% $2,321,880 17%
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 16
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1,000 1,999 1,320 5% $2,321,880 17%
500-999 2,155 7% $1,629,181 12%
250-499 3,249 11% $1,536,777 11%
100-249 6,506 22% $1,379,272 10%
50-99 3,996 14% $339,660 2%
10-49 10,880 37% $451,523 3%
Grand Total 29,218 $13,693,585
Look at this data in chart format
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 6
How different would this chart look if you collected more at time of service?
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 17
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Which dollars could get more attention if time of service was at ‘best practice’?
Questions: Can You Answer These for Questions: Can You Answer These for YourYour Practice?Practice? What does it cost to send a patient a
statement? What percent of patients pay at time of
service? How much does your medical practice collect
annually at the time of service?
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 18
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annually at the time of service? How much could you collect annually at the
time of service? When will a patient receive a statement if they
don’t pay their copay or deductible? What percent of patients pay their self pay
balance when they’re billed after the visit?More…
Questions: Can You Answer These for Questions: Can You Answer These for YourYour Practice? (Cont’d.)Practice? (Cont’d.) What are the legal or contractual risks of not
making a good faith attempt to collect copays, coinsurance, and deductibles?
How much do you send to your collection agency? After how much time? What is their
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 19
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agency? After how much time? What is their recovery rate?
When is it smart to outsource some/all patient collections after time of service?
Few groups can answer these questions – need more focus on payment at time of service (PATOS)
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 7
How to Motivate Patients to PayHow to Motivate Patients to Pay
Define potential consequences if
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 20
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Make it easy for patients to pay what they owe
consequences if they don’t pay
Patient CommunicationsPatient Communications“How to motivate patients to pay what they owe”“How to motivate patients to pay what they owe”
Pre-Visit: Patients want an appointment Most likely to pay prior balances
Time of Service: Patients don’t want to worry about paying doctor – worry about the clinical care
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 21
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Make copay and deductibles required prior to visit or reschedule visit
More…
Patient CommunicationsPatient Communications“How to motivate patients to pay what they owe”“How to motivate patients to pay what they owe”
Post-Visit: Patients happy to be well and not worried about paying doctor (worry about electric bill, buying groceries, etc.) until they need another appointment. Have to pay prior balances for another (non-
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 22
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emergent) appointment Report patients’ nonpayment to their insurance
company
1/18/2012
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Patient Communication Tips & ToolsPatient Communication Tips & Tools
Patient Financial Policy Make it easy for patients to pay Communicate to patient over and over again “…as we outlined in our financial policy…” “..during your appointment phone call..”
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 23
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Patient CommunicationsPatient CommunicationsUsing the sign in sheet to remind patients Using the sign in sheet to remind patients that payment is expected.that payment is expected.
Daily Sign-in Sheet
Welcome to our Practice! Payment for Services is due in full today. Today’s Date: _______________________
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 24
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Please sign below: Payment Method Insurance/Home Address
Patient Name Arrival Time
Cash Check Credit Card
Has your patient information changed? (check “Y” or “N”)
Patient Financial PolicyPatient Financial Policy
Provide patients with a policy that includes: Explanation of payment related
terms: co insurance, copayments, deductibles Explanation of when the patient will
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 25
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Explanation of when the patient will be expected to pay List all the ways that patients can pay Give this document to all new patients
and annually to established/return patients and make available on practice’s website/patient portal
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 9
Patient Policy at Time of ServicePatient Policy at Time of Service
Our office participates with a variety of insurance plans.
It is your responsibility to: Bring your insurance card at every visit. Be prepared to pay your copay at each visit. Payment can be
made by cash, check or credit card.
In the past:
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 26
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For medical care not covered under your insurance, payment in full is due at the time of visit.
If you have insurance that we do not participate in, our office is happy to file the claim upon request; however, payment in full is expected at time of service.
Financial assistance is available if you are unable to pay for necessary medical care. It is your responsibility to inform us prior to the visit.
Patient Policy at Time of ServicePatient Policy at Time of ServiceNow (with consequences):Our office participates with a variety of insurance plans.
It is your responsibility to: Bring your insurance card at every visit. Be prepared to pay at each visit. We will be collecting all copays,
deductibles, and coinsurance due. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit or debit card.
For medical care not covered under your insurance payment in full
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 27
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For medical care not covered under your insurance, payment in full is due at the time of visit before you will be seen by your provider.
If you have insurance that we do not participate in, our office is happy to file the claim upon request; however, payment in full is expected at time of service before you will be seen by your provider.
If you do not have insurance, payment in full is expected at the time of service before you will be seen by your provider. Financial assistance is available if you are unable to pay for necessary medical care. It is your responsibility to inform us prior to the visit.
Will Payment Plans Be Part of Your Policy?Will Payment Plans Be Part of Your Policy?Amount Amount Due Per Month Due Per Month –– Payment Payment ScheduleSchedule
Account Balance Standard Negotiated Time Allowance Supervisor Approval
Operative Range Preferred3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months
Minimum Acceptable
Calculated Months
$5 00 $24 99 F ll OK 0
Patients that are unable to pay their account balance in full at the time of service as a result of limited or no insurance coverage, and are not considered indigent, will be offered the opportunity to pay the balance in full within 90 days or in accordance with the payment plan below. This policy is not applicable to co-payments, which must be collected at time of service.
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 28
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$5.00 - $24.99 Full OK 0$25.00 - $50.00 Full $25.00 2$51.00 - $150.00 $50.00 $37.50 $30.00 $25.00 $25.00 6
$151.00 - $250.00 $83.33 $62.50 $50.00 $41.67 $35.00 7
$251.00 - $500.00 $166.67 $125.00 $100.00 $83.33 $60.00 8
$501.00 - $750.00 $250.00 $187.50 $150.00 $125.00 $90.00 8
$751.00 - $1,000.00 $333.33 $250.00 $200.00 $166.67 $125.00 8
$1,001.00 - $1,500.00 $500.00 $375.00 $300.00 $250.00 $175.00 8
$1,501.00 - $2,000.00 $666.67 $500.00 $400.00 $333.33 $200.00 10
$2,001.00 - $2,500.00 $833.33 $625.00 $500.00 $416.67 $250.00 10
>$2,500.00 Referral to Practice Manager 12
1/18/2012
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Make It Easy for Patients to Pay:Make It Easy for Patients to Pay:
On the phone, before they arrive or after a visit
In the medical practice Online via the website/patient
portal
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 29
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p No paper or stamps and available
24 hrs/day Make it easy to pay All credit cards & debit cards Reduces costs of sending multiple
statements & posting check payments
Can You Really Collect More @TOS? Can You Really Collect More @TOS? Primary Care Case StudyPrimary Care Case Study Busy urban primary care office Payer mix included high percentage of Medicaid
and Medicare, moderate commercial/managed care, and high self pay
Reasons for self pay were very diverse
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 30
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Reasons for self pay were very diverse Collecting money at front desk was chaotic Very little collection at time of service Negative operating bottom line
Primary Care: New PolicyPrimary Care: New Policy Every patient pays at every visit. No more free
encounters. If you are not insured for today’s visit: We do not participate with your insurance company Medicaid pending (bring copy of application) Service you are receiving is not covered by your
insurance policy You do not have the required referral or authorization
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 31
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You do not have the required referral or authorization for today’s visit Etc., etc.
You must pay $75 to see one of our providers. If you do not have the money (cash, check,
credit card), go to an ATM and return to our office where you will be worked into the schedule.
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 11
Implementation of New PolicyImplementation of New Policy Communication to patients New policy via flyer in office for 30 days (handed to
each person as they checked in) with effective date. Informed patients when they made appointments and
during appointment reminders. First day, 4 (out of 112) people came without
their money, 3 went to the ATM and came back,
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 32
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another rescheduled appointment for following day and returned with the money.
RESULTS: First Month: Practice was breaking even for the first
time! Zero patient complaints! End of First Year: Physicians were happy with the
financial performance and recruiting more physicians to join them
Best Practices in Self Pay @ TOSBest Practices in Self Pay @ TOS
Front End Strategies Financial Policy Excellent registration quality pre-visit Correct insurance information and verified with payor Screen for Medicaid/Medicare eligibility
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 33
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Financial clearance: must have ‘cleared’ the patient and confirmed financial status
Calculate patient estimate
More…
Best Practices in Self Pay @ TOSBest Practices in Self Pay @ TOS
Front End Strategies (Cont’d.) @ TOS Scan insurance cards to capture current copay and
deductible amounts Collecting pre-payments for procedures, surgeries, etc. If not contracted with insurance company, financial
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 34
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counselors negotiate with patient or plan, and collect 75% to 100% upfront
If patients are HDHP, consider collecting 75% of estimated visit costs
Billing fees $10 statement fee if copay not paid $15 late fee if not paid in 30 days
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 12
If Patients Don’t Pay, If Patients Don’t Pay, What Is the Next ‘Best’ Strategy?What Is the Next ‘Best’ Strategy?
Date ____________Dear Patient,
We remind you that it is our policy to collect payment at the time of service. For your convenience,
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 35
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please use this addressed and stamped envelope to return your payment to us within three days. This will help us control rising costs by eliminating the need to mail you a bill.
Please remember to be prepared to pay your copay, deductible and prior balance the next time you visit. Thank you,
Cardiology practice results: 22% increase in copays in 2 weeks
Self Pay ReportsSelf Pay Reports
Do you have the reports you need to manage your patient collections?
Can your PMS identify/flag patients in HDHP’s? Recommended Reports: Daily Cash Collection Report
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 36
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Daily graph completed by collectors showing cash collected at time of service by collector and by practice location. Monthly report on PATOS (cash, bad debt, agency…)
Best Practices: Reduce Self Pay Best Practices: Reduce Self Pay Collection CostsCollection Costs Patient collections are labor intensive and
expensive Deductibles are the most difficult Invoices, letters, phone calls to individual patients rather
than insurance companies$17 50/ t (7 th i )
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 37
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$17.50/account (7 x more than insurance) Source: Tony Reisz, CEO, Ontario Series of front end and back end best practices:
• Proper front end patient segmentation is vital• Leverage technologies (dialers)• Align staff compensation with self pay goals• Allow patients to pay online or IVR (interactive voice
recognition)
1/18/2012
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Best Practices: Self Pay A/RBest Practices: Self Pay A/R
Copays: average AR Days is 16 days Deductibles: 4 x longer than copays to collect
Source: www. Physicianspractice.com 50% overall patient responsibility goes
uncollected
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 38
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Source: Stampiglia, Tom. “Maintaining Profitability in the Era of Consumer-Directed Health Care.” Group Practice Journal. May 2009.
Vendors can offer accelerated collection strategies
Self Pay A/R: Let’s Agree on a Few Self Pay A/R: Let’s Agree on a Few ThingsThings
1. The older an account gets, the harder it is to collect2. There is a difference between a casual delinquency and a high-risk
debt3. Consistent and effective follow-up can be challenging & expensive4. Most practices would prefer to never have to use a collection agency
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 39
Sponsored by Source: Transworld Systems/GreenFlag Accelerator
Have You Optimized Your Patient A/R?Have You Optimized Your Patient A/R?
Most practices have a two step approach to collections:
Day 30 Day 60 Day 90 Day 120 Day 150
Statement ($1.10)
Statement ($1.10)
Statement ($1.10)
Letter #1 ($1.10)
Phone Calls ($2.96)
Statement ($1.10)
Letter #2 ($1.10)
Phone Calls ($2.96)
Statement ($1.10)
Letter #3 ($1.10)
Phone Calls ($2.96)
In-House Efforts
CollectionsDay 180 (approx)
Intensive telephone contact and/or legal action at a cost of 25 50% of recovered amounts
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 40
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Challenges with a Traditional, Two Step Approach: Patients know they owe, but don’t care Patients are less likely to respond as attempts continue
Intensive telephone contact and/or legal action at a cost of 25-50% of recovered amounts.
Total Cost: $17.68
Source: Transworld Systems and GreenFlag Accelerator
1/18/2012
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Managing Your Cash Flow in Q1Managing Your Cash Flow in Q1
Increase patient communication about payment expectations
Set PATOS goals Reduce no pay encounters Based on prior year
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 41
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Based on potential collections Consistent with policies
Measure performance Self pay collections A/R
How Will You Set Your Daily PATOS How Will You Set Your Daily PATOS Goal?Goal?Is a 20% Increase Over Prior Year the Right Is a 20% Increase Over Prior Year the Right Target?Target?
Office Locations
2011
PATOS
Avg Daily
PATOS
Daily Goal
2012
P i L i 1 $195 000 $774
2011 Visits
Visit
Average
Daily
Goal
26 460 $7
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 42
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Practice Location 1 $195,000 $774
Practice Location 2 $661,500 $2,625
Practice Location 3 $541,000 $2,147
Total $1,397,500 $5,546
26,460 $7
13,230 $50
26,460 $20
66,150 $21
Note: Can do this by office location or by collector.
PATOS: PATOS: What Could You Potentially Collect?What Could You Potentially Collect?
MD 1 MD 2 MD 3 MD 4
30 25 20 30 105
Total 7,560 6,300 5,040 7,560 26,460
15% MA 1,134 945 756 1,134 3,969 $0
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 43
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PATOS: Payment at time of service
85% Have to pay 6,426 5,355 4,284 6,426 22,491
15% Medicare 964 803 643 964 3,374 $111,330 1/3 @100
15% High ded 964 803 643 964 3,374 $278,326 2/3 @125
10% No Ins 643 536 428 643 2,249 $168,683 $75
5% Non covered 321 268 214 321 1,125 $56,228 $50
55% Copays 3,534 2,945 2,356 3,534 12,370 $247,401 $20
$861,968
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Manage Your Cash Flow:Manage Your Cash Flow:Impact of PATOS PoliciesImpact of PATOS Policies
PATOS Policy Decisions: Deductibles from Medicare patients: $111,330
From High Deductible insured patients: $278,326
From patients with no insurance: $168,683
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 44
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From patients with no insurance: $168,683
Collecting for non-covered services: $56,228
Collecting 100% of copays: $247,401
Managing Your Cash Flow:Managing Your Cash Flow:How Could We Impact This Chart ASAP?How Could We Impact This Chart ASAP?
Account Dollar Ranges
# of Accounts
% of Total
Self Pay AR $'s
% of Total
>10,000 110 0% $1,236,510 9%
5,000-9,999 216 1% $1,646,136 12%
2,000-4,999 786 3% $3,152,646 23%
1 000 1 999 1 320 5% $2 321 880 17%
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 45
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1,000-1,999 1,320 5% $2,321,880 17%
500-999 2,155 7% $1,629,181 12%
250-499 3,249 11% $1,536,777 11%
100-249 6,506 22% $1,379,272 10%
50-99 3,996 14% $339,660 2%
10-49 10,880 37% $451,523 3%
Grand Total 29,218 $13,693,585
73%of Accts in AR
Do it right the first time
What Your Practice Needs To KnowWhat Your Practice Needs To Know
Schedule meeting this week Time = $$ It is not just about the staff Must include physicians, non
physician providers, nursing
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 46
Sponsored by
p ys c a p o de s, u s gpersonnel – everyone that works in your practice
1/18/2012
www.Kareo.com 16
Practice Training Practice Training ObjectivesObjectives
Understand and be able to explain the practice’s: Patient collection policies What each service (CPT) costs the
practice Be able to identify expected copay,
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 47
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y p p y,deductible and/or patient’s prior balance
Ask patients for payment in firm, tactful manner
Follow group’s cash collection policies
Medical Group TrainingMedical Group Training
Behavior Modeling Technique Tips and Technique Overcome Common Obstacles Create scripts Role Play
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 48
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Medical Group Training:Medical Group Training:High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) Become knowledgeable about the
major health plans in your area and whether they include high deductibles Research your payer contracts about
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 49
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collecting high deductibles
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Create Tools That Can Be Referenced Create Tools That Can Be Referenced Online: 2012 Medicare Deductible and Online: 2012 Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts Coinsurance Amounts
Part A: (pays for inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care) For each benefit period Medicare pays all covered costs except the Medicare Part A deductible (2012 = $1,156) during the first 60 days and coinsurance amounts for hospital stays
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 50
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y p ythat last beyond 60 days and no more than 150 days.
◦ For each benefit period you pay:• A total of $1,156 for a hospital stay of 1-60 days.• $289 per day for days 61-90 of a hospital stay.• $578 per day for days 91-150 of a hospital stay (Lifetime Reserve
Days).• All costs for each day beyond 150 days
More…
Create Tools That Can Be Referenced Create Tools That Can Be Referenced Online: 2012 Medicare Deductible and Online: 2012 Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts Coinsurance Amounts Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance
• $144.50 per day for days 21 through 100 each benefit period.Part B: (covers Medicare eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment)
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 51
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• $140.00 per year. (Note: You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for services after you meet the $140.00 deductible.)
Additional information about Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance rates for 2012 is available in the October 27, 2011 Fact Sheet titled, “ Medicare Premiums and Deductibles for 2012” at www.cms.gov website.
Sample CashSample Cash--atat--TimeTime--of Service of Service ScriptsScriptsAsking for payment: “The amount due for today’s visit is $10.00 and you can pay that today by cash, check, credit or debit card.”
[This straightforward statement makes it difficult for the patient to respond any other way than how they will pay!]
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“The fee for today’s services is $200. As we explained, we do not participate with your insurance. You can handle payment by cash, check, credit or debit card.”
[State the full amount of the visit and acknowledge the fact that you know the patient was informed previously that their insurance was not accepted.”
Modified from: “The Physician Billing Process: 12 Potholes to Avoid in the Road to Getting Paid” by Walker Keegan, Woodcock, and Larch, published by MGMA, 2009
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Phrases To Use When Overcoming Phrases To Use When Overcoming ObstaclesObstaclesPatient can’t pay (for various reasons): Don’t say: “I want you to…”; “We require…”; “Our policy states…” Do say: “May I suggest payment by credit card, or do you have an ATM?”
“There is a convenient ATM machine around the corner.” “Okay, let’s see, today is Tuesday. How much time will you need
on the $200?”
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[the patient will probably respond by saying next week, when I get my paycheck, end of the month.” “Here is an envelope for you to mail your payment within three
days.”
NOTE: if collecting payment prior to the visit and the patient refuses to pay: “You can pay today with check or credit card, or we can reschedule your
visit.”More…
Phrases To Use When Overcoming Phrases To Use When Overcoming Obstacles (Cont’d.)Obstacles (Cont’d.)Patient: Bill me “I wish we could, but we need you to pay today.” “Your payment is due at time of visit. This was explained in
your insurance information, and we are required to collect the copay, your deductible and your coinsurance each time you see the doctor.”
© 2012 S. Larch | www.businessofmedicine.com 54
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Modified from: “The Physician Billing Process: 12 Potholes to Avoid in the Road to Getting Paid” by Walker Keegan, Woodcock, and Larch, published by MGMA, 2009
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If not, why not? Incentive plans – rewards or promotions based
on ability to reach collection targets Targets based on potential collections For front end collectors
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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives
What the medical practice’s staff need to know Overview of patient collections Importance of patient communications Best practices in self pay collections at time of
service
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Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources
“The Physician Billing Process: 12 Potholes to Avoid in the Road to Getting Paid” by Walker Keegan, Woodcock, Larch, published by MGMA 2009. To purchase, go to www.mgma.com
Additional free articles/tools available at
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Business of Medicine, www.businessofmedicine.com. More advanced materials available in the Store.
Free e-newsletter by Sara Larch available at www.businessofmedicine.com.
Contact MeContact Me
Sara M. Larch, MSHA, FACMPEPrincipal, Business of Medicine
Email: [email protected]: www.businessofmedicine.com
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