Use tools to collect with high-deductible plans
To collect from patients with high-deductible plans, these tools must be available at the point of service, says Gerilynn Sevenikar, vice president of patient financial services at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego:
automated, accurate tools to verify insurance;
liability estimators to determine the patient’s responsibility;
predictive analytics to guide the financial discussion. "We have direct access to our patients’ payment history," says Sevenikar. "This has served as a strong indicator for future payment patterns."
if the area has a kiosk, the ability to pay should be readily available.
Because Sharp’s registrars know the patient’s income and payment history, they can offer options that make sense for the patient’s situation.
"We find that conversations that appear overly scripted are ineffective in moving forward," says Sevenikar. "We speak on a personal level with the patient."
