Medical Billing Forum
Starting a Medical Billing Business => Starting Your Own Medical Billing Business => : arose127 August 16, 2016, 02:44:46 PM
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I have a prospective client that I used to work for as an employee previously. When I worked for him as an employee, I also did his cash posting and am aware that he has a history of not paying his bills. He also has a history of hiring billing companies and then firing or running out on them without paying. Is it unheard of to ask a client to pay his contract fee up front? I charge a flat fee per month and do 6 month contracts so I would be asking him to pay the full 6 months up front as protection for myself. Or is there another option I can have in place? I am just really worried about working with him on a month to month payment basis as history shows he doesn't always pay.
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Forgive me but I think you answered your own question... don't do it.. You already spelled out all reasons NOT to take on this client.. I'd listen to your first instinct.
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I agree with Linda. But another option we have used with 'difficult payers' is to have a credit card on file that we charge every month ten days after their invoice is sent. However, that isn't fool proof and the guy you are describing sounds extremely difficult to work with.
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I've seen too many of my clients patients dispute the "credit card on file" thing.. it does not work in fact you could LOSE money... as all they have to do is call their credit card company to stop it.
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Thankfully we have never had anyone dispute our charge, or have the credit card company stop payment. But the client you described sounds much more difficult than ones we have done business with.
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This prospective client sounds like he may not be too ethical, and I would worry that it goes beyond money, and into compliance with his billing and coding also. I would pass on taking him as a client.
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This prospective client sounds like he may not be too ethical, and I would worry that it goes beyond money, and into compliance with his billing and coding also. I would pass on taking him as a client.
Great point Kristin.