title: Dealing with self-pay patients--compassionately.
abstract: Efforts to collect money should start at the beginning--in preregistration and registration. Hospitals should be firm, but compassionate, about communicating payment responsibilities to self-pay patients. Involving all revenue cycle employees in improving the collection process will gain valuable input and ensure their buy-in.
authors.affiliation: Wellspring Partners LTD, Chicago, USA. gmountford@wp-ltd.com
authors.forename: Gordon J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Mountford
authors.forename: J Cathy
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000379:methods; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006801:Humans; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014861:Washington