RE: Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy

[Guest guest]

I haven't looked on your link to see my state. But I have been charging a $10 rebilling fee for over 2 yr. I started at the beginning of a year, and put out a new financial policy saying it, and every one had to resign. It's also on every bill that goes out. They get 2 bills without a rebilling fee, but on the third they get $10 added. A percentage was too cumbersome. If I get to the 4th and no payment, then another rebilling fee, and a letter saying if you don't pay in 10d or contact us for a payment plan, you will go to collections. This year has been hard, many more people going to collections than ever before. Breaks my heart. Often they pay at the last minute or they call after going to collections, and want to be seen again. In that case, I won't see until they pay what they owe, plus pay in full for that day's visit.

Cote' MD Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy

A google search suggests...

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22rebilling+fee%22 & rls=com.microsoft:en-us & ie=UTF-8 & oe=UTF-8 & startIndex= & startPage=1 & rlz=1I7ADFA_en

Most clinics charge a $5-$10 rebilling fee.

A few are as low as $3.

Some have a mixture of a % of the outstanding plus a fee or just a % of the bill down to a lowest fee of $3 for rebilling.

================================

As far as anyone knows - are there other state by state quirks on not being able to charge a flate rate re-billing fee?

I know there are some state guidelines and laws about charging a % Rate on outstanding balances -- plus it's just too confusing for me to calculate that % every month - although it sounds like many of you easily do that calculation or your PM software does it automatically.

Also, I believe to recover the cost of sending someone to collections - that has to be mentioned in the financial policy, too.

But the re-bill fee seems straight forward...maybe.

Here is something from a few years ago - not sure if still up to date.

http://www.physicianspractice.com/display/article/1462168/1627330

Rebilling Fees

July 1, 2004

Question: Are we allowed to charge delinquent patients rebilling fees or interest? If so, can you cite the law that makes this clear?

Answer: The Truth-in-Lending laws, or Regulation Z, allow for rebilling and interest charges.Here's a link to the regulation: www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/rules/6500-1600.html#6500226.5.

=========================

Here is a link to each state's legal statutes on what % can be charged -- large variation based on state.

http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/state-codes.html

To find your states Usury Laws in regards to how much interest you can charge...

http://www.legalcorner.net/articletemplate1.asp?name=usury_loan_agreement_0003

For Colorado...

COLORADO. Pursuant to Title Six of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the maximum legal rate of interest for consumer and personal loans made by individuals is set at 12% per year. For commercial loans (non-consumer loans), the maximum rate that may be charged is 45%. In Colorado, the courts will generally hold that a usurious loan is illegal and unenforceable.

Another example showing state rules and info on the state statute that explains the laws...

http://law.jrank.org/pages/11800/Interest-Rates.html

COLORADO

8% (§5-12-101); maximum rate that may be contracted for is 45% (§5-12-103); interest on consumer loan may not exceed 12% unless made by supervised lender (§5-2-201)

Criminal penalty for knowingly exceeding 45%, Class 6 felony (§18-15-104)

8% if none specified in contract; if contract rate is variable, then at rate on day of judgment (§5-12-102[4])

Savings and loans (§11-41-115); mortgages (§5-13-101); business and agricultural loans (§5-13-102); small business loans (§5-13-103)

=======================================

Standard for Colorado is 8% compounded annually -- but apparently you can go up to 45%(!) if it is stipulated.

5-12-101. Legal rate of interest.

If there is no agreement or provision of law for a different rate, the interest on money shall be at the rate of eight percent per annum, compounded annually.

Source: L. 71: R & RE, p. 852, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 73-12-101. L. 75: Entire section amended, p. 257, § 1, effective July 1. L. 79: Entire section amended, p. 315, § 1, effective June 20.

5-12-103. Greater rate may be stipulated.

(1) The parties to any bond, bill, promissory note, or other instrument of writing may stipulate therein for the payment of a greater or higher rate of interest than eight percent per annum, but not exceeding forty-five percent per annum, and any such stipulation may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction in the state, except as otherwise provided in articles 1 to 6 of this title. The rate of interest shall be deemed to be excessive of the limit under this section only if it could have been determined at the time of the stipulation by mathematical computation that such rate would exceed an annual rate of forty-five percent when the rate of interest was calculated on the unpaid balances of the debt on the assumption that the debt is to be paid according to its terms and will not be paid before the end of the agreed term.

====================================

I'll post my new financial policy when I get it revamped.

Locke, MD

[Guest guest]

When the economy tanked a few years ago, I had less than $5000 in unpaid bills.  In the 2 years since that amount has skyrocketed to almost $95000.  Most of this is charges incurred taking unassigned call at the hospital and having to do deliveries in OB for woman who present without insurance.  A lot of these people end up being illegal immigrants, we have a big problem with this here, who tend to give bogus contact information when admitted for whom the collection agency can’t manage to work the debts because of the vague contact information collected by the hospital.  At least $70% of my unpaid charges are from this source.  The rest represent people who had changes in their co-pays/deductibles that weren’t caught by my front office at the time of service.  I have started checking unpaid balances on patients the night before their visit and that way I can job the staff’s memory so they will remember to ask about the unpaid balances when they present to the office. Beth Sullivan, DORidgeway Family PracticeCommerce, GA  30529 From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of magnetdoctor@...Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 9:48 PMTo: Subject: Re: Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy I haven't looked on your link to see my state. But I have been charging a $10 rebilling fee for over 2 yr. I started at the beginning of a year, and put out a new financial policy saying it, and every one had to resign. It's also on every bill that goes out. They get 2 bills without a rebilling fee, but on the third they get $10 added. A percentage was too cumbersome. If I get to the 4th and no payment, then another rebilling fee, and a letter saying if you don't pay in 10d or contact us for a payment plan, you will go to collections. This year has been hard, many more people going to collections than ever before. Breaks my heart. Often they pay at the last minute or they call after going to collections, and want to be seen again. In that case, I won't see until they pay what they owe, plus pay in full for that day's visit. Cote' MD Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy A google search suggests... http://www.google.com/search?q=%22rebilling+fee%22 & rls=com.microsoft:en-us & ie=UTF-8 & oe=UTF-8 & startIndex= & startPage=1 & rlz=1I7ADFA_enMost clinics charge a $5-$10 rebilling fee.A few are as low as $3.Some have a mixture of a % of the outstanding plus a fee or just a % of the bill down to a lowest fee of $3 for rebilling. ================================ As far as anyone knows - are there other state by state quirks on not being able to charge a flate rate re-billing fee? I know there are some state guidelines and laws about charging a % Rate on outstanding balances -- plus it's just too confusing for me to calculate that % every month - although it sounds like many of you easily do that calculation or your PM software does it automatically. Also, I believe to recover the cost of sending someone to collections - that has to be mentioned in the financial policy, too. But the re-bill fee seems straight forward...maybe. Here is something from a few years ago - not sure if still up to date. http://www.physicianspractice.com/display/article/1462168/1627330 Rebilling Fees July 1, 2004 Question: Are we allowed to charge delinquent patients rebilling fees or interest? If so, can you cite the law that makes this clear?Answer: The Truth-in-Lending laws, or Regulation Z, allow for rebilling and interest charges.Here's a link to the regulation: www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/rules/6500-1600.html#6500226.5.=========================Here is a link to each state's legal statutes on what % can be charged -- large variation based on state. http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/state-codes.html To find your states Usury Laws in regards to how much interest you can charge... http://www.legalcorner.net/articletemplate1.asp?name=usury_loan_agreement_0003 For Colorado...COLORADO. Pursuant to Title Six of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the maximum legal rate of interest for consumer and personal loans made by individuals is set at 12% per year. For commercial loans (non-consumer loans), the maximum rate that may be charged is 45%. In Colorado, the courts will generally hold that a usurious loan is illegal and unenforceable. Another example showing state rules and info on the state statute that explains the laws... http://law.jrank.org/pages/11800/Interest-Rates.html COLORADO 8% (§5-12-101); maximum rate that may be contracted for is 45% (§5-12-103); interest on consumer loan may not exceed 12% unless made by supervised lender (§5-2-201) Criminal penalty for knowingly exceeding 45%, Class 6 felony (§18-15-104) 8% if none specified in contract; if contract rate is variable, then at rate on day of judgment (§5-12-102[4]) Savings and loans (§11-41-115); mortgages (§5-13-101); business and agricultural loans (§5-13-102); small business loans (§5-13-103) =======================================Standard for Colorado is 8% compounded annually -- but apparently you can go up to 45%(!) if it is stipulated. 5-12-101. Legal rate of interest. If there is no agreement or provision of law for a different rate, the interest on money shall be at the rate of eight percent per annum, compounded annually. Source: L. 71: R & RE, p. 852, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 73-12-101. L. 75: Entire section amended, p. 257, § 1, effective July 1. L. 79: Entire section amended, p. 315, § 1, effective June 20. 5-12-103. Greater rate may be stipulated. (1) The parties to any bond, bill, promissory note, or other instrument of writing may stipulate therein for the payment of a greater or higher rate of interest than eight percent per annum, but not exceeding forty-five percent per annum, and any such stipulation may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction in the state, except as otherwise provided in articles 1 to 6 of this title. The rate of interest shall be deemed to be excessive of the limit under this section only if it could have been determined at the time of the stipulation by mathematical computation that such rate would exceed an annual rate of forty-five percent when the rate of interest was calculated on the unpaid balances of the debt on the assumption that the debt is to be paid according to its terms and will not be paid before the end of the agreed term.==================================== I'll post my new financial policy when I get it revamped. Locke, MD

[Guest guest]

Beth,

You might look at "Phreesia", which you can see at www.phreesia.com. It's a patient check-in system that verifies the patient's insurance at the time they check in, presents their balance to them, and then accepts their credit card. No more mystery.

Deanna

When the economy tanked a few years ago, I had less than $5000 in unpaid bills. In the 2 years since that amount has skyrocketed to almost $95000. Most of this is charges incurred taking unassigned call at the hospital and having to do deliveries in OB for woman who present without insurance. A lot of these people end up being illegal immigrants, we have a big problem with this here, who tend to give bogus contact information when admitted for whom the collection agency can’t manage to work the debts because of the vague contact information collected by the hospital. At least $70% of my unpaid charges are from this source. The rest represent people who had changes in their co-pays/deductibles that weren’t caught by my front office at the time of service. I have started checking unpaid balances on patients the night before their visit and that way I can job the staff’s memory so they will remember to ask about the unpaid balances when they present to the office.

Beth Sullivan, DO

Ridgeway Family Practice

Commerce, GA 30529

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of magnetdoctor@...Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 9:48 PMTo: Subject: Re: Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy

I haven't looked on your link to see my state. But I have been charging a $10 rebilling fee for over 2 yr. I started at the beginning of a year, and put out a new financial policy saying it, and every one had to resign. It's also on every bill that goes out. They get 2 bills without a rebilling fee, but on the third they get $10 added. A percentage was too cumbersome. If I get to the 4th and no payment, then another rebilling fee, and a letter saying if you don't pay in 10d or contact us for a payment plan, you will go to collections. This year has been hard, many more people going to collections than ever before. Breaks my heart. Often they pay at the last minute or they call after going to collections, and want to be seen again. In that case, I won't see until they pay what they owe, plus pay in full for that day's visit.

Cote' MD Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy

A google search suggests...

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22rebilling+fee%22 & rls=com.microsoft:en-us & ie=UTF-8 & oe=UTF-8 & startIndex= & startPage=1 & rlz=1I7ADFA_en

Most clinics charge a $5-$10 rebilling fee.

A few are as low as $3.

Some have a mixture of a % of the outstanding plus a fee or just a % of the bill down to a lowest fee of $3 for rebilling.

================================

As far as anyone knows - are there other state by state quirks on not being able to charge a flate rate re-billing fee?

I know there are some state guidelines and laws about charging a % Rate on outstanding balances -- plus it's just too confusing for me to calculate that % every month - although it sounds like many of you easily do that calculation or your PM software does it automatically.

Also, I believe to recover the cost of sending someone to collections - that has to be mentioned in the financial policy, too.

But the re-bill fee seems straight forward...maybe.

Here is something from a few years ago - not sure if still up to date.

http://www.physicianspractice.com/display/article/1462168/1627330

Rebilling Fees

July 1, 2004

Question: Are we allowed to charge delinquent patients rebilling fees or interest? If so, can you cite the law that makes this clear?

Answer: The Truth-in-Lending laws, or Regulation Z, allow for rebilling and interest charges.Here's a link to the regulation: www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/rules/6500-1600.html#6500226.5.

=========================

Here is a link to each state's legal statutes on what % can be charged -- large variation based on state.

http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/state-codes.html

To find your states Usury Laws in regards to how much interest you can charge...

http://www.legalcorner.net/articletemplate1.asp?name=usury_loan_agreement_0003

For Colorado...

COLORADO. Pursuant to Title Six of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the maximum legal rate of interest for consumer and personal loans made by individuals is set at 12% per year. For commercial loans (non-consumer loans), the maximum rate that may be charged is 45%. In Colorado, the courts will generally hold that a usurious loan is illegal and unenforceable.

Another example showing state rules and info on the state statute that explains the laws...

http://law.jrank.org/pages/11800/Interest-Rates.html

COLORADO

8% (§5-12-101); maximum rate that may be contracted for is 45% (§5-12-103); interest on consumer loan may not exceed 12% unless made by supervised lender (§5-2-201)

Criminal penalty for knowingly exceeding 45%, Class 6 felony (§18-15-104)

8% if none specified in contract; if contract rate is variable, then at rate on day of judgment (§5-12-102[4])

Savings and loans (§11-41-115); mortgages (§5-13-101); business and agricultural loans (§5-13-102); small business loans (§5-13-103)

=======================================

Standard for Colorado is 8% compounded annually -- but apparently you can go up to 45%(!) if it is stipulated.

5-12-101. Legal rate of interest.

If there is no agreement or provision of law for a different rate, the interest on money shall be at the rate of eight percent per annum, compounded annually.

Source: L. 71: R & RE, p. 852, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 73-12-101. L. 75: Entire section amended, p. 257, § 1, effective July 1. L. 79: Entire section amended, p. 315, § 1, effective June 20.

5-12-103. Greater rate may be stipulated.

(1) The parties to any bond, bill, promissory note, or other instrument of writing may stipulate therein for the payment of a greater or higher rate of interest than eight percent per annum, but not exceeding forty-five percent per annum, and any such stipulation may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction in the state, except as otherwise provided in articles 1 to 6 of this title. The rate of interest shall be deemed to be excessive of the limit under this section only if it could have been determined at the time of the stipulation by mathematical computation that such rate would exceed an annual rate of forty-five percent when the rate of interest was calculated on the unpaid balances of the debt on the assumption that the debt is to be paid according to its terms and will not be paid before the end of the agreed term.

====================================

I'll post my new financial policy when I get it revamped.

Locke, MD

[Guest guest]

The majority of the unpaid charges are from hospital charges or Medicare patients where you have to perform the services and then pray you get paid Beth Sullivan, DORidgeway Family PracticeCommerce, GA  30529 From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of tolpeople@...Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2010 9:37 AMTo: Subject: Re: Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy Beth, You might look at " Phreesia " , which you can see at www.phreesia.com. It's a patient check-in system that verifies the patient's insurance at the time they check in, presents their balance to them, and then accepts their credit card. No more mystery. Deanna When the economy tanked a few years ago, I had less than $5000 in unpaid bills. In the 2 years since that amount has skyrocketed to almost $95000. Most of this is charges incurred taking unassigned call at the hospital and having to do deliveries in OB for woman who present without insurance. A lot of these people end up being illegal immigrants, we have a big problem with this here, who tend to give bogus contact information when admitted for whom the collection agency can’t manage to work the debts because of the vague contact information collected by the hospital. At least $70% of my unpaid charges are from this source. The rest represent people who had changes in their co-pays/deductibles that weren’t caught by my front office at the time of service. I have started checking unpaid balances on patients the night before their visit and that way I can job the staff’s memory so they will remember to ask about the unpaid balances when they present to the office.Beth Sullivan, DORidgeway Family PracticeCommerce, GA 30529From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of magnetdoctor@...Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 9:48 PMTo: Subject: Re: Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy I haven't looked on your link to see my state. But I have been charging a $10 rebilling fee for over 2 yr. I started at the beginning of a year, and put out a new financial policy saying it, and every one had to resign. It's also on every bill that goes out. They get 2 bills without a rebilling fee, but on the third they get $10 added. A percentage was too cumbersome. If I get to the 4th and no payment, then another rebilling fee, and a letter saying if you don't pay in 10d or contact us for a payment plan, you will go to collections. This year has been hard, many more people going to collections than ever before. Breaks my heart. Often they pay at the last minute or they call after going to collections, and want to be seen again. In that case, I won't see until they pay what they owe, plus pay in full for that day's visit. Cote' MD Rebilling Fee & Financial Policy A google search suggests... http://www.google.com/search?q=%22rebilling+fee%22 & rls=com.microsoft:en-us & ie=UTF-8 & oe=UTF-8 & startIndex= & startPage=1 & rlz=1I7ADFA_enMost clinics charge a $5-$10 rebilling fee.A few are as low as $3.Some have a mixture of a % of the outstanding plus a fee or just a % of the bill down to a lowest fee of $3 for rebilling.================================As far as anyone knows - are there other state by state quirks on not being able to charge a flate rate re-billing fee?I know there are some state guidelines and laws about charging a % Rate on outstanding balances -- plus it's just too confusing for me to calculate that % every month - although it sounds like many of you easily do that calculation or your PM software does it automatically.Also, I believe to recover the cost of sending someone to collections - that has to be mentioned in the financial policy, too.But the re-bill fee seems straight forward...maybe.Here is something from a few years ago - not sure if still up to date.http://www.physicianspractice.com/display/article/1462168/1627330Rebilling Fees July 1, 2004 Question: Are we allowed to charge delinquent patients rebilling fees or interest? If so, can you cite the law that makes this clear?Answer: The Truth-in-Lending laws, or Regulation Z, allow for rebilling and interest charges.Here's a link to the regulation: www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/rules/6500-1600.html#6500226.5.=========================Here is a link to each state's legal statutes on what % can be charged -- large variation based on state.http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/state-codes.htmlTo find your states Usury Laws in regards to how much interest you can charge...http://www.legalcorner.net/articletemplate1.asp?name=usury_loan_agreement_0003For Colorado...COLORADO. Pursuant to Title Six of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the maximum legal rate of interest for consumer and personal loans made by individuals is set at 12% per year. For commercial loans (non-consumer loans), the maximum rate that may be charged is 45%. In Colorado, the courts will generally hold that a usurious loan is illegal and unenforceable. Another example showing state rules and info on the state statute that explains the laws...http://law.jrank.org/pages/11800/Interest-Rates.htmlCOLORADO 8% (§5-12-101); maximum rate that may be contracted for is 45% (§5-12-103); interest on consumer loan may not exceed 12% unless made by supervised lender (§5-2-201) Criminal penalty for knowingly exceeding 45%, Class 6 felony (§18-15-104) 8% if none specified in contract; if contract rate is variable, then at rate on day of judgment (§5-12-102[4]) Savings and loans (§11-41-115); mortgages (§5-13-101); business and agricultural loans (§5-13-102); small business loans (§5-13-103) =======================================Standard for Colorado is 8% compounded annually -- but apparently you can go up to 45%(!) if it is stipulated.5-12-101. Legal rate of interest. If there is no agreement or provision of law for a different rate, the interest on money shall be at the rate of eight percent per annum, compounded annually.Source: L. 71: R & RE, p. 852, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 73-12-101. L. 75: Entire section amended, p. 257, § 1, effective July 1. L. 79: Entire section amended, p. 315, § 1, effective June 20.5-12-103. Greater rate may be stipulated. (1) The parties to any bond, bill, promissory note, or other instrument of writing may stipulate therein for the payment of a greater or higher rate of interest than eight percent per annum, but not exceeding forty-five percent per annum, and any such stipulation may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction in the state, except as otherwise provided in articles 1 to 6 of this title. The rate of interest shall be deemed to be excessive of the limit under this section only if it could have been determined at the time of the stipulation by mathematical computation that such rate would exceed an annual rate of forty-five percent when the rate of interest was calculated on the unpaid balances of the debt on the assumption that the debt is to be paid according to its terms and will not be paid before the end of the agreed term.====================================I'll post my new financial policy when I get it revamped. Locke, MD