Billing

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I've been lurking and looking through the archives for a few months now.

I've had many questions, since I'm brand new to this job, but never had the

courage to actually post until now.

I work for a very small practice with one PT who usually only works 4 days a

week, just to give you an idea on how small a practice it is. I do all the

office work from A-Z, from scheduling to billing, or at least I'm fighting

my way through it, as it's been very trying at times, to say the least...;-)

My boss came to me a couple of weeks ago asking me to come up with a better

way to handle patients who haven't been paying on their accounts. We have

some that have been outstanding for quite a while, and now I am starting to

write letters to these people. She has never taken anybody to collection,

but said that would be a possibility in the future.

My question is this, are there some sort of guidelines to follow as far as

billing goes? I mean, after the first bill is sent out and nothing happens,

is there a certain procedure to follow, like sending a letter offering a

payment plan first, in the next letter*threatening* to charge interest, then

*threatening* with a collection agency? If so, are there form letters that I

could download somewhere?

I'm sorry if this question seems ignorant, but I am basically brand new to

this job and don't know who else I could ask.

I appreciate any and all help offered, off- or onlist.

Thanks,

Marita Mc

Secretary

Austin Professional Offices