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