8/3/2019 Tips &Amp; Tricks Recovering Unpaid Bills-74

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/tips-tricks-recovering-unpaid-bills-74 1/1

 Tips & Tricks: Recovering unpaid bills

74   I  February 2012

Unpaid hospital bills increasesthe woes of the hospitalsalong with patients. Thereare certain categories of 

patients who may be admitted as anemergency or have been dischargedor abandoned in terminal stages orhave expired or who, after incurringa hefty bill, have developed dishonest

intentions. Such category constitutesup to 10 per cent of hospital clientele.

Further, the CE Act 2010 mandates thatall emergency cases have to be renderedfirst aid treatment, irrespective of thepatient’s paying capacity.

In view of the above problem faced inrealisation of unpaid bills, each hospitalmust develop a well-defined policy anda step wise ethical approach based onsound strategy to address this issue. A

properly implemented policy and soundstrategy not only minimises bad debts

and avoids unnecessary litigation but alsoensures healthy patients and bottom linefor the hospital. Here are some tips toensure the same.

(doc_ssood@yahoo.com)

Every hospital takes action to increase hospital’s

revenue and rein in costs. Unpaid bills and dues from

patients constitute major part of potential bad debts

and accounts receivable. Timely recovery of these

bills and management of debts is important for the

 financial health of all hospitals.

Prior to admission:Hospitals should providecomplete information topatients regarding the fees

and prominently display the scheduleof charges. Even otherwise, this isa requirement in terms of IndianMedical Council Regulations, 2002.

11Tips&Tricks

On admission: Onadmission assess patient’spaying capacity and verify insurance coverage, if 

any. Collect certain sum as advancepayment from the patient andreplenish it periodically. It is bestto obtain undertaking from thepatient/attendants to the effect thatthey would clear all bills. NABHstandards also state that ‘the patients

are explained about the expected costson admission. In case of packages itshould clearly state the terms andconditions and also the exceptionsif any.’ From the legal perspective,do not refuse emergency treatment toany patient.

22Tips&Tricks

During hospitalisation:Develop a mechanism

 whereby the patient isdaily updated about his

condition, expected duration of stay and interim bill position accurately andpromptly. Ensure that patient paysseparate bill at each costing unit of hospital like pharmacy, diagnostic tests;prior to receiving drugs or disposablesor undergoing lab tests. However,

 when it appears that the payment may not be forthcoming, discretion may be exercised to minimise expensesthat may be avoidable, without clearly endangering life.

33Tips&Tricks

 When patient or attendants are genuinely unable to pay: Refer

such patients to charity or NGOs. Finally, hospitals shouldbe prepared to write off up to 10 percent of bills as bad debt and servehumanity. Hospitals could assign apercentage of budgets as carryingand delinquency cost as a necessary evil based on experience, locality andmajor patient profile.

44Tips&Tricks

It is a different matterthat the hospital may notalways choose to take thelegal approach for reasonsof practicality. From a

practical point of view, the billingprocess should be made simple andabove measures shall minimise baddebts. Eventually, patience, ethics andnegotiationskills pay.

77Tips&Tricks

On discharge: Ensurethat the final bill handedover to the patient is easy,simple, flawless, itemised

and transparent.

66Tips&Tricks

recover

dues

Gp Capt (Dr) Sanjeev SoodHospital and HealthSystems Administrator,

Air Force Hospital,Chandigarh

 When patient or attendants refuse to pay: Give some time limit andflexible options to patient

to pay through installments, creditcard or post-dated cheques as anexception. It is better to have accountsreceivable than bad debt in hospitalbooks. If they still fail, issue a legalnotice demanding payment of billirrespective of the fact that the patienthas filed a complaint in the consumercourt alleging deficiency in services.

55Tips&Tricks

Waysthe

to