Wiki Billing Copays for Palliative Care

[SSingler]

Our practice wants to adopt a new procedure of collecting copays for palliative visits in the home by calling patients the day of the appointment. I understand that payments are due at the time of service however I have some reservations about this. Does anyone have experience with this? Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

[andersona1229]

I know that some providers require patients to pay before any service is rendered. I've only seen that with high-dollar procedures and surgeries; for example, the GI doctor who was going to perform an endoscopy on me required the full balance upfront. If they didn't have it 3 days beforehand, the endoscopy was going to be canceled. More providers have adopted a similar process because they want to ensure they're being paid for their services. What they're asking you to do isn't entirely unprecedented. Are you all not getting reimbursed regularly?

 

[SSingler]

We have been getting paid. However, I believe the leadership team wants to cut down costs of mailing billing statements. We are a nonprofit and trying to minimize expenses. I know services need to be paid at the time of services. However when a palliative pt decides to transition to our hospice service the day of the appt I do not feel comfortable calling and asking for money.

 

[csperoni]

This is a business decision. There is nothing wrong or illegal or even questionable about requesting copayments on the date of the service. I realize having financial discussions or payment requests with significantly ill patients can be uncomfortable, but it is 100% allowable, acceptable and compliant. Perhaps calling the patients that morning, before the clinician visit would be a better option? Like a "I'm calling to confirm your home visit this afternoon...... While I have you on the phone, can we take care of your $$ copayment to streamline everything?"