Ask Caryl: Enhancing ASC Revenue With Pre-Procedure Collections
Q: What can we do to give our collections a boost?
Caryl Serbin: Increasing or maintaining revenue is always a key issue for surgery centers. We regularly receive questions from surgery centers about collection procedures.
Here is a tip on how to enhance your revenue through pre-procedure collections: begin collections before the date of surgery.
Patient financial counseling is an important part of the collection process.
After deductibles/copays are established through verification, contact the patient and advise of their up-front financial responsibility. Explain the methods of payment accepted by your center. Obtain verbal commitment from patient to pay their financial responsibility and the intended method of payment.
Flag the patient's account about the amount owned on the day of surgery and method of payment.
On the date of the procedure, collect monies owed or secure a signed commitment to pay.
Remember: Collecting patient financial responsibility prior to the procedure is far easier than trying to collect post-procedure.
Have an ASC revenue cycle question? Ask Caryl by emailing caryl@serbinmedicalbilling.com or fill out the form on this page.
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