Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: My podiatrist never wants to write off any patient bills, but I am afraid he's expending more effort than it's worth trying to collect. What's your best advice for determining a write-off?New York SubscriberAnswer: Of course, you should resort to a write-off when all other collection methods, including discounts, payment plans, etc.,have failed. If you are encountering the following situations, a write-off may be justified:1. The cost of collecting a balance is more than what the patient owes. For example: A patient's balance due is $3 after all insurance payments. The administrative cost to bill and collect is at least $15 per statement.2. The provider has used all available methods to try to collect, including submitting the account to a collection agency.3. The patient files for bankruptcy. This does not always mean a write-off, however. The court could establish a payment plan based on available assets. If you do [...]