Plus, in me they had a happy patient to whom they didn't have to send
a single billing statement nor make a single collections call.
From patient to provider
This happened about 10 years ago, a few years before I became the
business manager at Hoffman Estates Surgery Center in suburban
Chicago. Now I'm the one handing patients the phone (or giving them
the website) so they can apply for healthcare credit. Whether they
apply by phone or online, I tell them it only takes 2 minutes or 3 clicks
to get approved.
Yes, it's hard discussing finances with patients, but here's how I
explain our financing option to those who otherwise might have to
forgo surgery because they can't afford their deductibles:
"Today we're able to offer you a credit card with deferred — and
hopefully no — interest that will give you 6 months to pay for your
deductible with convenient, low monthly payments."
You just gave the patient an easy way out of forking over $1,000 —
and took away his reason to cancel.
Not everybody is approved, of course, but it's estimated that about
60% are, even those with low or poor credit scores. If a patient is
declined, well, at least you tried to offer him a less-expensive option
than a traditional credit card.
Locking in the patient portion
I'll never forget that helpless feeling I had in the oral surgeon's office
when the cost of surgery was going to prevent my son from getting
the procedure he needed. Who wants to be told that they can't have
their procedure because they don't have enough money on the spot?
But insurance has put so many of our patients in just that position.
It has also put surgical centers in a tough spot. On the one hand, you
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