I have always had conditions displayed in reception that payment for treatment is to be paid on day of service, or pick up of orthotics.
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I have recently been asked by a couple of patients if they are able to pay in instalments for orthotics?
Is this something that other podiatrists offer?
I have played a bit hard and said No. However I do take credit card so I see this is an option for those who dont have the cash upfront
I just dont want to have to waste time chasing people around for payments and being at a loss for those that fail to come through.:wacko:
Any comments??
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I think it would be bad idea to take payment by installments.
If you set up something like a direct debit system and the patient defaults on their payments how will you chase up the outstanding money? Legally, how water tight could you make any documents you get the patient to sign? and how much would it cost in lawyers fees to get such a document and chase up anyone who needs chasing up? It'd be easier to pass on the debt to a collection agency but then... who wants to deal with those buckets of cess?
I am sure that the majority of patients would probably honour the payments, but there will always be the few that could spoil it and take advantage of the system, or who honestly run out of money and then can't pay.
Don't mean to sound too negative... But IMHO I don't think it is really worth the headache.
Regards,
Sam -
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I do know much about this, but I would have thought that letting someone pay in installments is legally extending them credit. If that is the case, then there is a lot of legislation in place regarding credit contracts, etc, that I would assume you would have to be in compliance with.
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Hi
Very relivant thread in the current financial climate.
I would agree with craig on the financial basis. The second point is do we look at this from a business view point or do we look from a clinical viewpoint.
If we look at clinical view point to allow patients to pay in installments That could help from a financial basis and increase our appeal to patients who would have thought they couldn't afford our services.
From a business view point that extended credit could be provided by a secondary company who would charge a premium for this. second option is the provider charges a premium for this as the payment is being spread and other companys would charge extra for this service. If we use a secondary company to extend credit terms then we as the clinic aren't responsible if defaults occur and also its the company's responsiblity to adhere to the laws governing this area .
Dave -
Maybe the laws are different from one country to the next. However, if you, as a podiatrist, told a patient that they could pay for the second half of a large ticket item, such as custom foot orthoses, 3-4 weeks after the first half was paid, with no interest charge, why would your governmental authoriities worry about you trying to ease the financial burden on your patients?
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I have a lot of pensioners around my area and they just can't afford orthotic costs up front. I'd rather they get them straight away because they need them and let them pay them off, rather than save up for them. I've allowed installment payments in quite a few cases. I usually get them to pay enough up front that it would cover any lab fees in case they didn't follow through. I've yet to have anyone not pay up though. Most are pretty grateful for having a way to work it out. I think it generates great goodwill. It can't all be about the money. Our job is worth so much more when you know what you do makes a difference rather than just getting paid.
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Making a difference is nice. It does not pay the overheads of running a clinic. If I want to do voluntary work then I can do that outside of my biz.
I can not go into any shops, get my car serviced, my hair done, (not that I do that) or go to a restaurant, or my dentist and not PAY.
Why is it people think that the years worth of training we do is not worth getting paid accordingly?
Over many years we have had a couple of clients we know very well pay them off. Those 2 or 3 who have been "hard up" and we tried to help, were a P.I.T.A.
I agree with Kevin, Dr Weed advised down here in Tasmania way back in the 80's, always get a deposit up fronts for at least you out of pocket expenses. The greater the deposit the better the client feels when they come in and only have to pay a small portion towards the end. (no reserach just many years of experience)
Cheers -
Approach Patient requirements case by case - these are people you are helping, usually in many more ways than just with their foot pain.
Yes business is business, but as we all know, the strict adherence to "All Patients must follow the same protocols..." is not realistic.
I often allow patients in need, to discuss and agree to various terms; as to "extending credit", I suggest we can all set our own terms of payment rather than enter into a formal credit arrangement.
Occassionally I just give a patient in need what they require and absorb the cost. I'm sure MOST people do exactly the same thing, just in various forms.
Bottom line - help patients as you can whilst minimising risk by covering your costs first, but be open to helping in other ways too.
:morning: -
I dont see the problem with paying my installments. This will only be for a very small percentage of your clients.
If they have paid the deposit, keep possesion of the orthotics as security until full payment is made.
I also agree with Paul sometimes its just better to absorb some of the cost -
This is an interesting scenario- I have yet to be asked for such, but am always on the lookout for problems encountered by others. There are many things in business that I was not aware of until I was the one doing all the number crunching.
I also ask for payment to cover lab costs, then the remaining half on issue. Its nice to know that others share the burden of cost in a similar way.
There are the odd few who want to pay everything up front, and I love those ones. -
Maybe you can offer a reduced rate if patient can pay 'up front'...
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Apart from Cosmetic Surgeons and Dentists - who else offers time payment? Your optometrist or the bloke who does an unexpected expensive service on your car?
Robyn Hood:pigs:Last edited: Sep 6, 2009 -
I always ask for a deposit which covers the lab etc and then the rest of the payment when the orthotics are fitted. I have had a few patients who have left me high and dry but they are the ones who could well afford to pay but just forgot. I have had one lady who needed orthotics but couldnt afford them so she offered to pay off her bill by cleaning my house and surgery up to the value of the orthotics. I had another guy a gardener who landscaped my garden in return for his sons orthotic and verrucae treatment!!! I also offer gift tokens which are very popular, normally bought by a daughter for moms birthday or christmas present and covers from one to any amount of treatments usually 6 in one year. I think its easy to treat each request if you know your patients but a dangerous route if you let the world know you are an easy touch. Hope this helps.
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Orthotics are custom made for the patient only and cannot be resold to another individual. Because of this, there is a $100.00 deposit due at the time of casting and the remaining balance is due at the time they are picked up. If insurance is involved, they will get their deposit refunded to them once the entire account is paid in full. We call on insurance benefits prior to casting and the patient is required to sign a financial information form indicating that insurance benefits are not a guarentee of payment and they are ultimately responsible. The patientis also given a copy of this signed form. We do not waiver on this process... anymore. By experience , when we have given exception to the policy we have been burned.
If a patient does not want to pay for their orthotics, we don't do it. We write a prescritpion for them to take elsewhere. The doctor hates when this occures , because obviously he wants the orthotics made a specific way . When sending out to a lab or DME provider there is no guarentee what they are going to get. However, he is good at explaining this to the patient. So the patients willingness to pay for the devices is greater. -
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