As more patients switch to high-deductible plans, collections have become more challenging, according to Rose Eickelberger, RN, director of surgical services for two affiliated orthopedics ASCs, Summit Surgery Center and Beacon West Surgery Center, both part of Beacon Orthopedics in Cincinnati, which is operated by Practice Partners in Healthcare.
Indeed, high-deductible policies have become so common among Beacon patients that it affects yearly cycles in volume. Ms. Eickelberger says her two ASCs saw a slight drop in volume at the beginning of the year, then volume picked up as patients came closer to meeting their deductibles for the year. "Patients are putting surgery off longer," she says. "They will tolerate the pain a little longer."
The ASC routinely deals with deductibles as high as $5,000, leaving patients with a significant amount to pay before coverage kicks in. "Patients can get quite angry about it," Ms. Eickelberger says. "So the biggest challenge for us as an ASC right now is getting patient's payment."
Helping patients understand the bill
To meet that challenge, staff is spending more time educating patients about their bill. "The problem is that patients don’t understand their health insurance," she says. "The high deductibles are new for them." Her office calls every patient before surgery to explain the charges and provide an estimated cost, though patients are warned the amount is only an estimate. "We are working off the op notes so we don’t know exactly what procedures are involved," she says.
In addition, the ASC contracts with a patient advocate employed by Beacon Orthopaedics to work with patients on payments. "Our goal is that patients must see a patient advocate before surgery, but we haven't gotten to that point yet," she says. Patients are expected to pay the bill on the day of surgery, but they can be put on a payment schedule if they can prove financial hardship, based on their current income.
Learn more about Beacon Orthopedics.
Thank you to Practice Partners in Healthcare for arranging this interview.
Indeed, high-deductible policies have become so common among Beacon patients that it affects yearly cycles in volume. Ms. Eickelberger says her two ASCs saw a slight drop in volume at the beginning of the year, then volume picked up as patients came closer to meeting their deductibles for the year. "Patients are putting surgery off longer," she says. "They will tolerate the pain a little longer."
The ASC routinely deals with deductibles as high as $5,000, leaving patients with a significant amount to pay before coverage kicks in. "Patients can get quite angry about it," Ms. Eickelberger says. "So the biggest challenge for us as an ASC right now is getting patient's payment."
Helping patients understand the bill
To meet that challenge, staff is spending more time educating patients about their bill. "The problem is that patients don’t understand their health insurance," she says. "The high deductibles are new for them." Her office calls every patient before surgery to explain the charges and provide an estimated cost, though patients are warned the amount is only an estimate. "We are working off the op notes so we don’t know exactly what procedures are involved," she says.
In addition, the ASC contracts with a patient advocate employed by Beacon Orthopaedics to work with patients on payments. "Our goal is that patients must see a patient advocate before surgery, but we haven't gotten to that point yet," she says. Patients are expected to pay the bill on the day of surgery, but they can be put on a payment schedule if they can prove financial hardship, based on their current income.
Learn more about Beacon Orthopedics.
Thank you to Practice Partners in Healthcare for arranging this interview.