Hcr 230 Week 7

In order to have for patient billing to be successful, there must be firm financial policies and procedures in position so that the policies and procedures can be explained to the patients about his or her payment responsibilities. Staff members and patients should have a complete understanding therefore everyone should anticipate what is involved. Medical office financial policies that are successful must give details of the methods of gathering deductible, co-pays, balances that are past due, preparations for balances that are not paid, services that insurance will not cover, prepayment in individual cases , and a reduction for financially disadvantaged patients. A financial policy explains the form of payments received by the office. The medical staff can mail out a brochure to aid in the education process, which talks about the offices billing processes to patients. As well as verbal communications of policies during registration to inform every patient, the medical office uses signs. While patients know what the medical office expects of him or her, a bill of services or procedures that the office performed should not surprise him or her. If the patient is not appropriately educated, there will be a negative impact on the patients. Once a patient knows the insurance company does not cover a specific procedure, he or she is able to make a decision on whether to decline the procedure or accept the procedure and work an arrangement for payments with the office. Medical offices use strategies, tools, or recommendations to be definite that policies and procedures line up so every patient comprehends. Strategies that collections specialists use when speaking to patients on the phone including the following; being straightforward and honest, and informing patients of the status of their accounts, having a professional attitude, staying in control of the conversation, and treating patients with respect and self dignity. Using signs in the medical offices should be...