DNA Patients. Now what?
This is a topic that comes up frequently when I meet Private Consultant Surgeons. Indeed, the point was touched upon last year in a blog regarding asking self-funding patients to pay in advance....
It’s good to talk
One of the most fatal ways to restrict the growth and profitability of a private medical practice or indeed any business is a failure to communicate. The domino effect of poor communication can be...
Thinking time – plan for the next day. And DON’T react!
I called one of my friends early one evening last week. His phone went straight to voice mail. Curiously he didn't call me back within half an hour or so per normal. He called me this morning...
Self funders – what are the most common reasons for non payment?
Most MHM clients have reported issues with self-funders when we get involved. It is also the source of many calls made to MHM. With the self-funding market increasing, it is important to understand...
Show me the money!
Anybody ever watched the movie “Jerry Maguire” and the immortal quote – show me the money! Clearly a guy I recently bumped into at a medical conference hadn’t. He was the Practice Manager for a...
A £37.50 invoice and you won’t get paid for it anyway
This blog could easily have been called 'YOU WON'T UPLIFT A FEE BY DOING THAT" Recently a private consultant - the colleague of a current client in fact - called me with a problem. Sadly it...
Why are you spending that money?
At a recent presentation, I was asked about the costs and use of accounting software. Bearing in mind the presentation was to consultants who had not yet established a private practice, numerous...
How do you identify a patient excess?
Many private consultant surgeons do not appreciate remittances sent to them are important. They are not just for tax reasons. They are not just to keep the accountant happy. There is time critical...
Been on hold long?
Working for consultant surgeons is fun. However, since one particular private medical insurance company decided to outsource their help desk or their "advisors" late last year, there has been a...
Are you making it hard to raise an invoice and get paid?
If you get the basics right many problems with getting paid aren't allowed to happen. As a result, accidents aren't allowed to happen. The basics are as follows: Patient’s full name Their full...
Do you check your clinic list?
An MHM client held one of his twice-weekly outpatient clinics recently. Nine patients; so there should be NINE invoices. Except there are only EIGHT? A quick look at the list indicates one of the...
The Simple Way to loose £1,800 every four months
I spent some time yesterday looking at the invoicing of a consultant surgeon. I noticed that the invoices for initial consultations going out to one particular insurance company were being charged...