Question

When opening the mail, James the administrative medical assistant notices a form from the bank with a check attached. It is a check from Elliot Benson, a new patient seen in the office the previous week, being returned for insufficient funds.
How might a medical administrative assistant be skillful in collecting payment and resolving this problem?

Answer 1

Time is of essence in collecting NSF checks. Once NSF checks are received, contact must immediately be made to the makers of the check.

James can do an initial collection attempt by calling Mr. Elliot Benson in his contact number and informing him of his returned check due to insufficient funds at the same time giving him the option to pay his medical bills in cash or issue another check and deposit cash to his bank account to cover his issued check.

James can also write Mr. Benson a letter, if no contact number was given, informing him of about the NSF check and giving him payment options. Said letter will be mailed to his address found in the medical records.

If the above methods are unsuccessful, James can propose to the officers that their office register with a company that specializes in collecting bad checks.

If still unsuccessful, there is a legal option. James may employ a collection method using the court system. He can file, in behalf of his company, a small claims suit against Mr. Benson and the court may order Mr. Benson to pay for the medical bill due.