Get physicians on board - Patient collections

Problem: Although they're not shy about asking insurance companies to settle an outstanding balance, private practice physicians, especially in rural communities, often are torn when it comes to collecting from patients.

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Solution: Make sure your docs understand how much of their practice's revenue comes from patient responsibilities. For example, a cardiology practice can expect over-the-counter collections to account for 15 to 18 percent of revenue, according to John W. McDaniel, president and CEO of Peak Performance Physicians, LLC, a New Orleans-based consultancy.