title: The collector inspector. Self-pay trends necessitate more effective RFPs.
abstract: A rise in the self-pay patient population requires healthcare providers to place increasing significance on the collection agencies they contract with. To best examine competing agencies and choose effective candidates, providers should develop a well-designed format for the request for proposal. Specific areas of interest should include the vendor's business philosophy, measurements of performance, and staff qualifications.
authors.affiliation: Gustafson & Associates, Inc., Deerton, Mich., USA. solutions@gustassoc.com
authors.forename: Bobette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gustafson
mesh_terms: D003164:Competitive Bidding; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000639:trends*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection; D011361:Professional Competence; D014481:United States