The stories are everywhere: Health systems using collection agencies and the courts to receive payment for care provided to patients.
Are you prepared? Possibly not. You’re working on multiple fronts – helping a complex health system succeed and serving patients as well as you can, including those having trouble with bills. But getting ready is worthy of your time. It’ll take some detective work. A hospital’s collection activities and financial assistance policies span multiple departments and may include outside agents – even those, like collections agencies, your organization no longer uses or has a relationship with. In addition, the information requested is often complex, so it is important to understand that compiling it may take some time.
Take a close look. Even those of you at the most well-intentioned and mission-driven organizations are likely to find things you didn’t know or expect to see.
It will be uncomfortable. Regardless, you should be prepared to explain it and either defend or change it.
Here are five steps you can take today to ensure you understand how your financial assistance and collections could be perceived by others.
