Question

Which of the following tasks are handled by physicians, practice administrators, office managers, or collections managers?

a) Pull credit reports to determine if patients have the ability to pay
b) Assist collection specialists with difficult phone calls
c) Supervise the efforts of the collection specialist
d) Monitor results of collection activities

Answer 1

Practice administrators or office managers oversee collections and monitor results, while collections managers might assist with difficult calls. Physicians generally focus on care and do not pull credit reports, which are also not standard practice due to privacy concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

Within a medical practice, there are distinct roles that handle various financial and administrative aspects. The tasks mentioned involve the collaboration of several roles within the practice:

• Practice administrators or office managers often have the responsibility to supervise the efforts of the collection specialists and monitor results of collection activities. They ensure that the processes adhere to laws and regulations and are effective in recouping owed funds.
• Physicians typically do not pull credit reports or involve directly in collections; their primary focus is on patient care.
• Collections managers may assist collection specialists with difficult phone calls, often stepping in to handle particularly challenging cases or disputes.
• It is not common practice for medical offices to pull credit reports to determine patients' ability to pay due to privacy and regulatory concerns.

Each role contributes to the financial health of the practice, with their specific duties focused on maintaining efficient and compliant operations.