How to choose a reliable and authentic chiropractic debt collection agency
A patient comes to you and you provide health care. The patient receives treatment, but you don’t receive your payment. In most cases, chiropractors run their offices on their own. This makes it difficult for you to get everything done all by yourself. It’s impossible to track your patients down for money. However, you need the payments to keep your practice running — and that is where a chiropractic debt collection agency comes in.
Payments can get piled up when you don’t receive them on time. This is the time when you may need to contact a chiropractic debt collection agency to help recover the unpaid amount(s).
What to look for when choosing a chiropractic debt collection agency
Here are the things you need to look for when choosing a chiropractic debt collection agency.
An experienced debt collector — Research and look for someone who has experience in chiropractic debt collection. Experienced collection agencies maintain goodwill between you and your client or patient.
Has proper data security measures — A reputable chiropractic debt collection agency will usually have emergency backup systems. You can rely on them for having privacy measures to keep your data safe and secure. The agency should also make sure they use the data for business purposes only.
Certified professionals — The chiropractic debt collection agency should have the required certificates. For example, an authentic certification from ACA International-The Association for Credit and Collection Professionals. When you need help, you can be assured that high-quality collectors will help you out.
Has required legal knowledge — Make sure the collection agency is aware of the legal implications of health care bill collecting. They should comply with TCPA, HIPAA, FDCPA and other regulations. The agency should not commit any unlawful practices to recover the outstanding bill amount.
Has proper license to operate — The debt collector should have a license to operate in your state and where your patients live.
Round-the-clock access — Since you’re busy, find a collection agency that offers flexibility. If the organization provides 24/7 online access and support, you can access your files anytime you want.
Clear fee structure — The chiropractic debt collection agency should be transparent with the exact cost of professional help, hiding nothing.
Along with the above, a debt collection agency needs to match your needs.
Questions to ask when selecting a debt collection agency
While deciding who to work with, it always helps when you get your questions answered.
Here is a list of questions you should ask while interviewing chiropractic debt collection agencies:
Do you have a satisfied clientele? — It will help if they have a satisfied clientele, and it’s ideal if the debt collection agency has previously worked with a chiropractor. The agency needs to understand that your business model might be different from other independent practitioners. Make sure the organization has a satisfied clientele — that means they should address their clients’ issues and be able to solve them.
Do they practice skip tracing? — Skip tracing is a practice that traces debtors if they have unintentionally moved out or avoided financial obligations. It helps instead of sending letters to the patients to their listed addresses. The debt collectors locate the debtors by tracing their cell phone usage, credit history, employer location, etc., to track and pursue them to clear the outstanding payments.
What are the professional fees? — Many collection agencies charge a percentage of the recovered amount, while others charge a higher fee based on the debt amount. Therefore, talk to them clearly and choose an option, or a collection agency, you’re comfortable with.
How will I know about my account statuses? — The debt collection agency you’re hiring should provide you with at least a monthly report of the progress of all the accounts.
How will you approach the debtors to collect the debt? — The way the collector approaches your clients (patients) reflects your character to some extent. After all, you have hired them to collect the unpaid amount on your behalf. It could affect your practice, too. The debt collector should know how to approach your clients in a way that complies with your business model.
Do you report to all major credit bureaus? — If the collectors report to all the major credit bureaus, then the patients might feel the urge to pay back the outstanding amount. So, it is better if your debt collector reports to all the major credit bureaus.
What is unique about your agency? — The debt collection agencies mainly offer similar services. However, one thing that makes them unique is if they have an attorney to make the collection efforts. Another thing is if they provide genuine 24/7 support. They may say that they provide such support but may not have the infrastructure.
Consider all these factors as you make your decision on the best chiropractic debt collection agency for you. Also, check online reviews regarding whether or not they have a satisfied clientele. There may be an issue with a client, but they should address it and solve it as soon as possible.
LYLE SOLOMON, JD, has considerable litigation experience as well as substantial hands-on knowledge and expertise in legal analysis and writing. Since 2003, he has been a member of the State Bar of California. In 1998, he graduated from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, Calif., and now serves as a principal attorney for the Oak View Law Group in California.