Help! The Doctor Won't Pay the Bill.
Help! The Doctor Won't Pay the Bill.
"We have an out-of-state dentist that has a few thousand dollars outstanding. I have sent multiple collection letters, made multiple phone calls, to no avail. He keeps sending work into us. What should we do with the work that is sent to us, and how should we go about collecting the monies? Do you suggest collection agency route, and if so any recommendations?" - Amber
The way that we would handle this is first want is your policy about payments? If you don’t have a policy, you need to get one. Our policy is net due 10 days after receipt of statement will incur a monthly late charge of 2 percent on balances due more than 30 days. Balances past due more than 60 days will go on automatic C.O.D. Cost of collections will be paid by customer. We have this on all of our prescriptions so there are no surprises and also so we have a signature. Remember that a policy is good, but you must enforce this policy.
Amber also says in her question that the doctor keeps sending work, this is a good thing. The worst account to have is the one that stops paying and stops sending. If the account is still sending in work, then call and ask if you can send this out COD plus $100 or whatever amount you agree on to get the account current. You can also do the work and then call and let them know that you have so-and-so case ready, if they want to send a check or credit card so that you can send the work back. This does give you a way to get your money.
If you have to use a collection agency, remember use one you can depend on. We used one once and we had to sue the collection agency to get our money. Also, I think that once you do turn the account to a collection agency it is over. So I would suggest tying to work things out. Do a lot of listening and get a plan and try to work things out. It is all about the trickledown effect, the insurance company isn’t paying, and the patient isn’t paying and so on. So be patient (no pun intended) but do what you have to do.
There are cases where nothing is going to work and in that case there are places you can turn for help. If you are a member of NADL, we do have a service that can help you. If you are not a member of NADL, then this would be a good time to join. Your national associations has done your homework for you so you can check with them about how to collect on passed due accounts.
I would like to thank Amber for her questions and, once again, if you have a question for Ms. Marketing please let me know. You can e-mail me at dlanierl@aol.com and I will be glad to help you with questions you may have. If I don’t have the answer, I will find it.
