MORE INSURED
According to statistics compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), approximately 13 million Americans, formerly uninsured, have obtained health insurance coverage since passage of the Affordable Care Act. Currently, there are still an estimated 28 million Americans who remain uninsured. A survey conducted by KFF cited cost of premiums as the number one reason the uninsured are still unable to obtain coverage. Others who may be eligible for financial assistance or subsidized coverage do not realize those options are available or do not think they will qualify.
INCREASE IN HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLANS
Although many more Americans have health insurance coverage today, high deductibles and co-pays leave patients with large self-pay balances that are often unexpected due to sudden illnesses or accidents. According to the American Collectors’ Association (ACA International), the number of consumers in the United States who have high deductible health plans has increased as much as 75% since 2010. The trend is continuing and even more employers are expected to offer high deductible health plans in 2018. The result is that, although more patients have health insurance coverage, hospitals are encountering an increasing number of patients who are unable to pay their deductibles and co-pays. Add that to the still existing uninsured patient population, and revenue cycle leaders find themselves with large numbers of self-pay accounts.
HOLLIS COBB SOLUTIONS
Hollis Cobb Associates works with our healthcare clients to customize collection programs that address each hospital’s unique needs and the circumstances of their patient populations. We have adjusted to the new world of high deductibles and additional insurance plans by offering services such as:
Insurance Special Projects –
o Obtaining pre-authorizations and primary care physician referrals
o Verifying coverage and benefits
o Collecting patient liability sooner in the revenue cycle
o Effectively Managing Denials
o Following up on time-consuming payer requests
o Filing backlogged claims
Settlement Campaigns –
o Ongoing settlements offered to patients with maximum determined by client
o Short term call/settlement campaigns promoted seasonally such as during tax season
Payment Plan Monitoring –
o Setting patients with high deductibles on a reasonable payment plan and monitoring payments
o Monitoring payment plans established at the hospital
Counseling Patients –
o Helping patients identify payment resources
o Assisting patients in determining if they might qualify for financial assistance
Early Out Services –
o Clients place accounts with Hollis Cobb within 30 days of the patient’s discharge
o Our customer service representatives work the accounts as an extension of the client’s business office
o Hospital staff is freed up to focus on other core competencies
o Hollis Cobb consistently returns more revenue to clients than they were able to collect internally.
The next two years will certainly bring more change in the healthcare revenue cycle arena. Leaders at Hollis Cobb are prepared to meet the challenges ahead as they continue to look for ways to help healthcare providers successfully manage their accounts receivables while they continue to focus on providing the best possible care to their patients.
