Medical Billing Forum

Payments => Patient Billing => : jenfogle May 29, 2008, 04:39:15 PM

: PATIENT CREDITS
: jenfogle May 29, 2008, 04:39:15 PM

What is the rule of thumb for patients with credits on their account? Are you required to refund the patient after a certain amount of time (eg. holding on to credits to apply toward future dos, but the patient is either rarely in or possibly moved on to another practice.)?  Thank you!

: Re: PATIENT CREDITS
: StephD May 30, 2008, 02:35:20 PM

Unless that patient comes in frequently they need to be issued a refund as soon as reasonably possible.  Everywhere I have worked has been pretty compliant with that.  However, some providers are not that honest and just leave the credit on the patient's account.
Stephanie

: Re: PATIENT CREDITS
: Michele May 31, 2008, 11:58:21 PM

Good advise Stephanie.  I usually advise my providers with a credit that they should inform the patient of the credit and ask them if they would like it applied to future amounts owed.  If the patient is not a regular, then a refund should probable be mailed to them with an explanation.  Sometimes a refund can prompt a patient to come back in!  :)

Michele

: Re: PATIENT CREDITS
: jenfogle June 03, 2008, 06:37:08 PM

Thanks for the advice. I agree; they should have the choice of the refund or having the credit applied to a future dos. Happy billing!    ;D