Point of Service (POS) Collections Policy

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We ask each patient to pay, from those who pay solely out-of-pocket to those who are insured and need to pay either a deductible, copay, or coinsurance amount. POS collections also include prior balances or payment plan payments and can be paid via cash, money orders, and credit card. Our offices no longer accept patient payments via check.

Insurance premiums and deductibles continue to rise making it more difficult for people to pay their medical bills. The chances of any doctor collecting payment once a patient leaves is slim. Reimbursement rates from insurance companies are also constantly changing from year to year and can take up to 90 days for processing and even longer to reimburse us. Combining this with the uncertainty of patient non-payment, we are left struggling to pay our own bills such as rent, utilities, medical equipment, and staffing. 

By collecting payment at point of service (may also be called time of service (TOS)) we are able to spend less time billing patients and more time treating them. Just like other medical groups and hospitals, we also offer payment plans as a way to help patients cover their costs. Unfortunately, this policy is not liked by all patients, but it ensures that we can stay in business to continue providing you with great healthcare.

As healthcare costs rise, most patients will choose insurance plans that feature high deductibles, copays/coinsurance, or both. However, these costs are always paid on top of your premium. It is important to understand what these are and how they work. 

• Deductible is the amount of money a patient must pay out of pocket before their insurance will pay anything. For example, if your deductible is $7,500, you must pay $7,500 out of pocket for your medical expenses before your health insurance will kick in and begin sharing your costs.
• Copay/Coinsurance is the shared cost between the patient and their insurance company after the deductible has been met. For example, if your coinsurance is 10%, this means you are responsible for 10% of the service out of pocket and the insurance company pays the remaining percentage. 

We ask our patients with insurance plans with annual deductibles to pay a certain amount on the day of their office visit. As of January 1, 2022, this amount is $170 for new patients and $130 for existing patients coming for a follow up visit. This amount may vary based on the service we provide. You can always reach out to one of our offices to find out the actual amount you should expect to pay. These fees that we charge go toward paying down your out of pocket costs associated with the visit while also contributing to paying down your deductible as a whole. Once you can show that you have met your deductible for the year, we only charge your copay/coinsurance amount. 

We have implemented these point of service fees for several reasons:

1. Helps patients  budget medical spending and spread out payments while they are still coming entirely out of pocket. 
2. Knowing we can count on a steady revenue flow helps us operate more smoothly and efficiently. Although we work closely with our patients and the insurance companies,  point of service collections ensure some payment for our services, even when the insurance company is not yet liable. 
3. Every patient has a legally bound contract with their insurance company. By enforcing our policy and collecting the patient's financial obligation, we are doing our part to enforce those terms. 

We understand that rising medical costs and other struggles presented in the last several years from the coronavirus can make health care seem unaffordable for some. We are committed to helping our patients ease this burden however possible. If you ever need assistance in paying your medical bills from our practice, please feel free to reach out to us.