Boosting collections

Hey there folks, my name is Keith Reynolds, I’m the editor of Physicians Practice and this is the P2 Management Minute. Here are two fast moves to boost collections starting before the visit.

1) Verify insurance eligibility before the visit

Run electronic eligibility when you schedule—and again 24 hours before the appointment. Catch lapsed policies, plan changes, and deductible resets before the patient arrives. Save a copy of the eligibility response to the chart; it speeds check-in and strengthens any future appeals. Build this as an automated task so no visit starts blind.

2) Collect patient balances at check-in

Train front desk to confirm copays and deductibles the moment patients arrive. Use clear signage—‘Payment is due at time of service’—and give staff a confident script:

‘I see a [$X] copay and [$Y] toward your deductible today. Would you prefer card or HSA?’

Offer tap-to-pay and portal pre-pay links to reduce friction. Track point-of-service (POS) collections daily and coach for consistency.

Verify twice, collect upfront—that’s faster cash and fewer headaches. For more bite-size practice tips and tricks make sure you visit PhysiciansPractice.com.

Thanks for watching I’ll see you tomorrow on the P2 Management Minute!

About the P2 Management Minute

The P2 Management Minute is a fast-paced video micro-series from Physicians Practice that distills proven management strategies into bite-size, one-minute episodes for busy medical practice administrators and lead physicians. Each installment spotlights high-impact tactics—drawn from real-world best practices and expert insights—that administrators can apply the same day to boost efficiency, strengthen patient satisfaction, or elevate staff engagement. No theory, no fluff; just concise, actionable guidance that respects tight schedules and delivers measurable results between appointments.

Record your own!

Interested in stepping in front of the camera to share a quick tip of your own, or have a suggestion for a topic we should spotlight in an upcoming P² Management Minute? We’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a proven strategy for streamlining workflows, a clever morale-booster, or a hard-won lesson on patient engagement, your insight could help peers across the country elevate their practices in just 60 seconds. Drop Keith a note at kreynolds@mjhlifesciences.com with your idea—or, better yet, a brief outline or smartphone video sample—and we’ll walk you through the simple submission process. Let’s collaborate to make every minute count for the medical community.

Keith A. Reynolds is the editor of Physicians Practice and wants to know what practice issues are keeping you up at night. You can let him know at kreynolds@mjhlifesciences.com.