Setting up payments as a new physician’s practice in Texas

If you are a health care provider, starting a new practice is the culmination of years of medical training, volunteering, research and planning. You do this all so that you can give care to your patients. While you think about the care and wellbeing of your patients, there are practical day-to-day realities to running a practice in Texas. You must remain financially viable, and to do that, you need a patient billing system.

Ideas for billing practices

According to the Texas Medical Association, there are several steps to consider when crafting a payment policy that is reasonable for both your patients and your staff, who will communicate and enforce your payment policy. It is incredibly important to detail your payment policy in writing. Your patients should both acknowledge receipt of the policy and sign their agreement to follow that policy.

Payment notification and options

You should also ask your staff to review the insurance and patient responsibility before each appointment. Rarely, is it tenable to shock patients with surprise bills in their time of need. Times are difficult for many financially. Giving patients the respect of knowing what they will be responsible for can give them a chance to consider their options, and it can help keep patients coming back to you.

Patients normally pay at the same time as an appointment, but that is not a requirement. If they are unable to pay upfront, you should provide a payment plan. This will ensure that your patient can receive care, and you can stay in business.

Consider asking for assistance

Collecting payments from patients may not be what drew you into the health care field or your respective specialty, but payments will help you maintain your practice and help more people. Building a payment plan and policy can be complicated, but you do not have to craft it alone.

A Donna or Arlington attorney skilled in both contract and health care law can help you make agreements and even assist you with collection options, should that become necessary. Health care is collaborative. When forming your business, or looking to update your payment practices, consider making your business collaborative and consult an attorney who will advocate for your practice, like you advocate for your patients.