Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement - 2012 Issue 22
Reader Question: State Laws Dictate Collections Rules
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Article Overview
This article addresses a practical office-management question for physician practices that bill patients for cost-sharing amounts and manage overdue accounts. It discusses the general role of state laws, payer or carrier requirements, and internal office policies in deciding how delinquent balances may be handled, including when outside collections are involved. The piece is aimed at billing staff, coders, and practice managers who need a high-level understanding of debt-collection workflows and compliance considerations.
Why This Topic Matters
Patient balance collection practices can vary by state and by payer, and offices need clear policies to manage overdue accounts consistently. Understanding the general issues involved can help practices avoid conflicts between internal workflows, outside collection agencies, and reporting processes.
What You Will Learn
- How physician offices may approach delinquent patient balances at a high level.
- Why state laws and payer or carrier requirements matter in collections workflows.
- Why internal office policies are important for handling partial payments and overdue accounts.
- How outside collection agencies fit into the account-handling process.
Who Should Read This
- Physician office billing staff
- Medical coders
- Practice managers
- Revenue cycle staff
- Office administrators
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