Document disputed bills thoroughly

When a bill is disputed by a patient, listening to the patient is critical. Consistently gather and document all necessary information about each such bill, and ask thorough, complete questions. You also may need to speak with employees, providers, and insurance companies. No one knows your practice as well as you, so you are the best at determining at what point the inquiry becomes more serious and formal.

The most typical examples of critical situations are the following:

• The patient feels that the provider did not spend enough time to justify the charge
• The practice did not file the claim correctly, resulting in a patient balance
• A workers' compensation charge is denied and transferred to the patient

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.