Negotiating payments cost-effectively
Make sure your billing department has a clear strategic plan in place for negotiating payments. Having payment option guidelines and rules established is necessary. Make sure your criteria is easy to understand and implement. Remember each situation is different and should be handled individually.
When you finally reach the patient/customer’s you want to make sure you are ready to evaluate their situation fairly to reach an arrangement that they could afford while maximizing the payment amount and shortening the terms of the arrangement. The goal is to work within their means and determine the difference between wanting to pay and ability to pay.