Trend: Insured Patients Footing More of the Bill

If you and your front desk staff still think an insurance benefit card means you have little or nothing to collect, think again. Your receivables will soar as a result of your refusal to keep up with the times.

Here's the short story, according to a story in the NY TIMES, 25% or more of the population in Texas under age 65 have NO insurance - that's the highest rate in the nation by the way. Highly populated states like California and Florida aren't far behind with rates from 20 to 24.9% Minnesota, on the other hand has only 8.8% uninsured, the lowest in the nation. It's the middle class who are increasingly uninsured - the problem has gone beyond the working poor.

This alarming increase means that states are responding by mandating coverage with scaled back benefits, so that insurance is more affordable to more people. There is a large scale national debate going on about what “basic benefits” will cover.

*While that debate goes on, be aware that what was covered by a plan last year, may not be a covered service this year. Make NO assumptions!

What are you doing to improve and enhance your pre-visit verification of eligibility and benefits? Are all online options being used?

*Deductibles are going up and up.

What are you doing? Are you asking for higher surgical scheduling deposits to cover the inevitably huge balances? Have you stepped up your pre-treatment financial counseling?

*What percentage of your current AR is from patients who are either uninsured or who have large balances because of coverage gaps or deductibles?

Define the problem, trend the increase from this time last year. Do something!

Don't use the same systems and the same thinking and hope collections will improve.

If you need help re-engineering your forms or registration processes, go to Services and take a look at the services we offer. We can bring these kinds of useful tips right to your door with a customized consultation. Or, fill out a Prospective Client Information Sheet and fax it in to the attention of Colleen Gallagher, KZA's Client Services Director, and she'll get a proposal to you letting you know exactly what we can do for you.