By Jerry Godwin, MBA, CEO, Optometric Medical Solutions
January 14, 2015
As per insurance contract, copays and non-covered charges are to be collected at time of service. You will greatly reduce your patient Account Receivable balance by consistently collecting the appropriate copay and deductible at the point of check-out. Verifying insurance in advance allows staff to collect proper copays and deductibles at checkout.
Checklist of Duties: Check-Out
• Review your fee schedule for consistency among codes charged to carriers (vision or medical) and to ensure that you are collecting full reimbursement due the practice.
• PATOS = Payment At Time Of Service for all patient responsibilities is communicated to patients. Consider a sign or a notice to your patients informing them of this policy.
• What are patient responsibilities: Co-pays, deductible and out of pocket as defined by the verification of benefits. This is a requirement of your participation agreement (and a legal requirement) to collect patient responsibilities.
• Establish a policy for prompt payment of fees for cash patients.
• Patients scheduled (or re-scheduled) according to defined follow-up based on clinical protocols.
• Ensure that you have a recall system in place. All patients should be scheduled for a follow-up or notice to schedule an annual visit.
Jerry Godwin, MBA, is CEO of Optometric Medical Solutions, based in San Antonio, Texas. OMS is a leader in providing comprehensive management services and systems to optometric practices and a “change agent” in helping practices to embracethe medical model.To reach him: jgodwin@optmedsol.com
