{"id":38012,"date":"2026-05-05T19:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T19:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/staging\/?p=38012"},"modified":"2026-08-19T19:47:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T19:47:46","slug":"patient-statement-in-medical-billing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/medical-billing\/patient-statement-in-medical-billing\/","title":{"rendered":"Patient Statement in Medical Billing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"38012\" class=\"elementor elementor-38012\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6a26d2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d6a26d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b15e9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9b15e9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Takeaways\n<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b511fe5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b511fe5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A patient statement is the final bill sent to a patient after insurance has been processed.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is different from an Explanation of Benefits (EOB), which is issued by the insurer.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statements that are unclear, delayed, or inaccurate are among the top reasons for non-payment.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electronic patient statements are proven to reduce collection time significantly.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vigilant Billing&#8217;s statement workflow is designed to maximize collections while preserving patient trust.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdd698e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cdd698e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40a7f97 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"40a7f97\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcfcc7f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bcfcc7f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed62227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ed62227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">35%<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-188b0f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"188b0f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">of patient balances go uncollected by most practices\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fd78eb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9fd78eb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-387d0bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"387d0bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">68%\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b5d263 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7b5d263\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">of patients would pay faster with a clearer statement\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa6c130 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fa6c130\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ae0bfb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ae0bfb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2.4\u00d7\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cea8c16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cea8c16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">faster payment when electronic statements are used\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-789dd34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"789dd34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Is a Patient Statement in Medical Billing?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5260345 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5260345\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA patient statement is a formal billing document that is generated and sent to a patient after their health insurance claim has been adjudicated. In simpler terms, it is the bill a patient receives for whatever portion of a medical service was not covered by their insurance provider.\nThe process generally works like this: a service is rendered, a claim is submitted to insurance, and the insurer processes and pays its portion, and then the remaining balance, whether a copay, deductible, or coinsurance amount is billed directly to the patient through a statement.\nIt is worth understanding that a patient statement is not the same as an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). The EOB is a document sent by the insurance company to the patient explaining what was billed, what was covered, and what the patient&#8217;s responsibility is. A patient statement, on the other hand, is sent by the healthcare provider or their billing team as an actual request for payment.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9b9328 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d9b9328\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07b6315 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"07b6315\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Important Distinction:\n<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ef3713 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8ef3713\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An EOB is informational. it comes from the insurer. A patient statement is a bill it comes from the provider. Patients often confuse the two, and that confusion can delay payment.<\/span>\n\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/contact\">https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/contact<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88625c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"88625c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">EOB vs. Patient Statement: Side-by-Side Comparison\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcffb65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"fcffb65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n.emr-ehr-table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  overflow-x:auto;\r\n  font-family:Arial,sans-serif;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  border-collapse:collapse;\r\n  min-width:500px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table th{\r\n  background:#0d9488 !important; \/* updated color *\/\r\n  color:#ffffff;\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table td{\r\n  padding:12px;\r\n  border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:nth-child(even){\r\n  background:#f6f8fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:hover{\r\n  background:#eef3fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media (max-width:768px){\r\n  .emr-ehr-table th,\r\n  .emr-ehr-table td{\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    font-size:14px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"emr-ehr-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Feature<\/th>\r\n<th>Explanation of Benefits (EOB)<\/th>\r\n<th>Patient Statement<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Issued By<\/td>\r\n<td>Insurance Company<\/td>\r\n<td>Healthcare Provider \/ Billing Office<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Purpose<\/td>\r\n<td>To explain what insurance covered<\/td>\r\n<td>To request payment from the patient<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Contains Payment Request?<\/td>\r\n<td>No<\/td>\r\n<td>Yes<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Legally Binding?<\/td>\r\n<td>Informational only<\/td>\r\n<td>Yes<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Delivery Method<\/td>\r\n<td>Mail or patient portal (insurer)<\/td>\r\n<td>Mail, email, text, or portal<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>When Is It Received?<\/td>\r\n<td>After insurance processes the claim<\/td>\r\n<td>After insurance payment is applied<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Actionable for Provider?<\/td>\r\n<td>No<\/td>\r\n<td>Yes<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd72985 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cd72985\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What a Patient Statement Should Contain\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57affaa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"57affaa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A patient statement that is difficult to understand is a statement that is unlikely to be paid. Clarity, completeness, and professional formatting are not optional, they are revenue-critical. The following elements are expected to be found on every properly prepared patient statement.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3b3d15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"e3b3d15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n.emr-ehr-table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  overflow-x:auto;\r\n  font-family:Arial,sans-serif;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  border-collapse:collapse;\r\n  min-width:500px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table th{\r\n  background:#0d9488;\r\n  color:#ffffff;\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table td{\r\n  padding:12px;\r\n  border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:nth-child(even){\r\n  background:#f6f8fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:hover{\r\n  background:#eef3fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media (max-width:768px){\r\n  .emr-ehr-table th,\r\n  .emr-ehr-table td{\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    font-size:14px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"emr-ehr-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>#<\/th>\r\n<th>Element<\/th>\r\n<th>Why It Matters<\/th>\r\n<th>Status if Missing<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>1<\/td>\r\n<td>Patient Name & Account Number<\/td>\r\n<td>Identifies the correct patient and links to their account<\/td>\r\n<td>Non-Compliant<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>2<\/td>\r\n<td>Provider Name, NPI & Address<\/td>\r\n<td>Lets patient know who is billing them<\/td>\r\n<td>Non-Compliant<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>3<\/td>\r\n<td>Date of Service<\/td>\r\n<td>Helps patient recall the visit being billed<\/td>\r\n<td>Confusion Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>4<\/td>\r\n<td>Description of Services<\/td>\r\n<td>Plain-language explanation of what was done<\/td>\r\n<td>Dispute Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>5<\/td>\r\n<td>Total Charges<\/td>\r\n<td>Original billed amount before insurance<\/td>\r\n<td>Confusion Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>6<\/td>\r\n<td>Insurance Payment Applied<\/td>\r\n<td>Shows what was paid by the insurer<\/td>\r\n<td>Dispute Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>7<\/td>\r\n<td>Adjustments<\/td>\r\n<td>Contractual write-offs or discounts applied<\/td>\r\n<td>Confusion Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>8<\/td>\r\n<td>Amount Due from Patient<\/td>\r\n<td>The actual amount owed must be clear and prominent<\/td>\r\n<td>Non-Collectible<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>9<\/td>\r\n<td>Payment Due Date<\/td>\r\n<td>Establishes urgency and reduces delays<\/td>\r\n<td>Delay Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>10<\/td>\r\n<td>Payment Options<\/td>\r\n<td>Online, phone, mail more options = faster payment<\/td>\r\n<td>Revenue Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>11<\/td>\r\n<td>Billing Contact Information<\/td>\r\n<td>Allows patients to ask questions or dispute errors<\/td>\r\n<td>Compliance Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>12<\/td>\r\n<td>Financial Assistance Notice<\/td>\r\n<td>Required for non-profit hospitals under IRS 501(r)<\/td>\r\n<td>Legal Risk<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31c3958 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"31c3958\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Patient Statement Billing Cycle Explained\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96fa5d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"96fa5d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Understanding how a patient statement fits into the broader revenue cycle is important for any practice that wants to optimize collections. The cycle is sequential and any break in the chain is felt in the collections numbers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a5aaf3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"2a5aaf3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n@import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Poppins:wght@400;600;700&display=swap');\r\n\r\n.workflow {\r\n  font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;\r\n  width: 100%;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Each row *\/\r\n.workflow-step {\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  align-items: flex-start;\r\n  gap: 16px;\r\n  padding: 16px;\r\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\r\n  color: #1F2937;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Number circle *\/\r\n.step-number {\r\n  min-width: 45px;\r\n  height: 45px;\r\n  background: #0D9488;\r\n  color: #fff;\r\n  font-weight: 700;\r\n  display: flex;\r\n  align-items: center;\r\n  justify-content: center;\r\n  border-radius: 50%;\r\n  font-size: 16px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Content *\/\r\n.step-content h4 {\r\n  margin: 0;\r\n  font-size: 16px;\r\n  font-weight: 700;\r\n  color: #111;\r\n  color: #1F2937 !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.step-content p {\r\n  margin: 6px 0 0;\r\n  font-size: 14px;\r\n  color: #555;\r\n  line-height: 1.5;\r\n  color: #1F2937 !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Hover effect *\/\r\n.workflow-step:hover {\r\n  background: #f7fbfb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Responsive *\/\r\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n  .workflow-step {\r\n    gap: 12px;\r\n    padding: 12px;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  .step-number {\r\n    min-width: 38px;\r\n    height: 38px;\r\n    font-size: 14px;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  .step-content h4 {\r\n    font-size: 15px;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  .step-content p {\r\n    font-size: 13px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media (max-width: 480px) {\r\n  .workflow-step {\r\n    flex-direction: row;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"workflow\">\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"workflow-step\">\r\n    <div class=\"step-number\">1<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"step-content\">\r\n      <h4>Service Is Rendered<\/h4>\r\n      <p>The patient is seen, a procedure is performed, or a test is conducted. Demographic and insurance information is captured at the point of care.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"workflow-step\">\r\n    <div class=\"step-number\">2<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"step-content\">\r\n      <h4>Claim Is Coded and Submitted<\/h4>\r\n      <p>A coded claim is prepared using ICD-10 diagnosis codes and CPT procedure codes, then submitted to the primary insurance carrier typically within 24\u201348 hours.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"workflow-step\">\r\n    <div class=\"step-number\">3<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"step-content\">\r\n      <h4>Insurance Adjudicates the Claim<\/h4>\r\n      <p>The insurer reviews the claim, applies the patient's benefits, and issues a payment (or denial). An EOB is generated by the insurer.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"workflow-step\">\r\n    <div class=\"step-number\">4<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"step-content\">\r\n      <h4>Secondary Insurance Is Billed<\/h4>\r\n      <p>If the patient carries secondary coverage, the remaining balance is submitted to the secondary insurer before any patient billing occurs.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"workflow-step\">\r\n    <div class=\"step-number\">5<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"step-content\">\r\n      <h4>Patient Statement Is Generated<\/h4>\r\n      <p>Once all insurance payments have been posted, the patient's remaining responsibility is calculated and a statement is prepared for delivery.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"workflow-step\">\r\n    <div class=\"step-number\">6<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"step-content\">\r\n      <h4>Statement Is Sent & Payment Is Collected<\/h4>\r\n      <p>The statement is delivered via mail, email, or patient portal. Follow-up reminders are sent at 30, 60, and 90-day intervals if no payment is received.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"workflow-step\">\r\n    <div class=\"step-number\">7<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"step-content\">\r\n      <h4>Accounts Receivable Follow-Up<\/h4>\r\n      <p>Unpaid balances are escalated through the AR follow-up process. At a defined threshold, accounts may be referred to collections based on the practice's policy.<\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80cf6c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"80cf6c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" src=\"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-1-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-38025\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-1-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-1-3-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-1-3-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-1-3-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d912d9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d912d9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Common Errors Found on Patient Statements<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bfe827 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bfe827\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statement errors are far more prevalent than most practices realize. When a patient receives an incorrect bill, the response is almost always the same they call the billing office, dispute the charge, delay payment, or simply ignore the statement altogether.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following are the most commonly identified errors in patient statements across the industry, as tracked by organizations like the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Hospital Association (AHA).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94fb1b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"94fb1b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n.emr-ehr-table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  overflow-x:auto;\r\n  font-family:'Poppins', Arial, sans-serif;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  border-collapse:collapse;\r\n  min-width:600px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table th{\r\n  background:#0D9488;\r\n  color:#ffffff;\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table td{\r\n  padding:12px;\r\n  border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  color:#1F2937;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:nth-child(even){\r\n  background:#f6f8fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:hover{\r\n  background:#eef3fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Optional: highlight severity *\/\r\n.high { color:#dc2626; font-weight:600; }\r\n.moderate { color:#d97706; font-weight:600; }\r\n.low { color:#16a34a; font-weight:600; }\r\n\r\n\/* Responsive *\/\r\n@media (max-width:768px){\r\n  .emr-ehr-table th,\r\n  .emr-ehr-table td{\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    font-size:13px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"emr-ehr-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Error Type<\/th>\r\n<th>Frequency<\/th>\r\n<th>Impact on Collection<\/th>\r\n<th>Root Cause<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Incorrect patient balance<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"high\">Very High<\/td>\r\n<td>Immediate dispute \/ non-payment<\/td>\r\n<td>Insurance payment posted incorrectly<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Missing insurance payment credit<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"high\">High<\/td>\r\n<td>Overbilling, compliance violation<\/td>\r\n<td>ERA\/EOB not matched to account<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Duplicate charges<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"moderate\">Moderate<\/td>\r\n<td>Patient complaints, refund requests<\/td>\r\n<td>System or data entry error<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Services not rendered<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"moderate\">Moderate<\/td>\r\n<td>Fraud risk, legal exposure<\/td>\r\n<td>Coding from wrong encounter<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Wrong patient \/ wrong account<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"moderate\">Moderate<\/td>\r\n<td>HIPAA violation risk<\/td>\r\n<td>Demographic errors at registration<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Incorrect adjustment written off<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"moderate\">Moderate<\/td>\r\n<td>Revenue leakage<\/td>\r\n<td>Incorrect contractual adjustment posted<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Missing itemized charges<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"low\">Lower<\/td>\r\n<td>Patient confusion, delayed payment<\/td>\r\n<td>System formatting default<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-806d277 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"806d277\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" src=\"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-2-1-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-39918\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-2-1-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-2-1-1-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-2-1-1-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Infographic-2-1-1-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33e10c3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"33e10c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4e2076 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b4e2076\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DID YOU KNOW?\n<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff22c2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff22c2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Billing errors don&#8217;t begin at the statement but they begin at registration.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/contact\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today and learn more about how to avoid future errors in billing.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f6d001 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6f6d001\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Paper Statements vs. Electronic Statements<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f46ab4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f46ab4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most impactful decisions a practice can make for its collections rate is the choice between paper and electronic patient statements. Evidence consistently shows that electronic delivery leads to faster payment, lower operational cost, and higher patient satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0a228e elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"f0a228e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n.emr-ehr-table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  overflow-x:auto;\r\n  font-family:'Poppins', Arial, sans-serif;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  border-collapse:collapse;\r\n  min-width:600px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table th{\r\n  background:#0D9488;\r\n  color:#ffffff;\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table td{\r\n  padding:12px;\r\n  border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  color:#1F2937;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:nth-child(even){\r\n  background:#f6f8fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:hover{\r\n  background:#eef3fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Highlight advantage column *\/\r\n.advantage {\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n  color:#0D9488;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Responsive *\/\r\n@media (max-width:768px){\r\n  .emr-ehr-table th,\r\n  .emr-ehr-table td{\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    font-size:13px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"emr-ehr-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Metric<\/th>\r\n<th>Paper<\/th>\r\n<th>Electronic<\/th>\r\n<th>Advantage<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Average days to payment<\/td>\r\n<td>28\u201345 days<\/td>\r\n<td>10\u201318 days<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"advantage\">Electronic<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Cost per statement<\/td>\r\n<td>$2.50\u2013$5.00<\/td>\r\n<td>$0.10\u2013$0.50<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"advantage\">Electronic<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Patient open rate<\/td>\r\n<td>~55%<\/td>\r\n<td>~78%<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"advantage\">Electronic<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Dispute rate<\/td>\r\n<td>~14%<\/td>\r\n<td>~8%<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"advantage\">Electronic<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Same-day payment option<\/td>\r\n<td>No<\/td>\r\n<td>Yes (via payment link)<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"advantage\">Electronic<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Environmental impact<\/td>\r\n<td>High (paper waste)<\/td>\r\n<td>Minimal<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"advantage\">Electronic<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Preferred by patients 65+<\/td>\r\n<td>Often Yes<\/td>\r\n<td>Variable<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"advantage\">Hybrid recommended<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2891b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2891b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA hybrid approach where paper is offered to patients who prefer it while electronic delivery is the default, is generally recommended by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) as the most effective balance between compliance and collection performance.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f446df elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2f446df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Legal and Regulatory Considerations\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2bf789 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2bf789\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Patient statements are not just billing tools, they are legal documents subject to federal and state regulations. The following regulatory frameworks govern how patient statements are prepared, sent, and managed.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No Surprises Act (2022): Patients must be provided with good-faith cost estimates prior to scheduled services. Statements that significantly exceed these estimates are subject to a patient dispute resolution process.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Patient balances that are turned over to collections must follow FDCPA guidelines. Statements must not contain threatening or misleading language.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HIPAA Privacy Rule: Patient statements contain PHI (Protected Health Information) and must be transmitted and stored in compliance with HIPAA standards.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IRS 501(r) for Non-Profits: Tax-exempt hospitals are required to include written notice of financial assistance availability on all patient statements.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CMS Billing Standards: Medicare and Medicaid billing rules mandate specific content requirements and prohibit certain billing practices on patient-facing statements.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-513cd45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"513cd45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe CMS No Surprises Act resource page offers up-to-date guidance for providers on cost estimates and billing protections. Visit: www.cms.gov\/nosurprises\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c47eba elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2c47eba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Best Practices for Patient Statement Management\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f8ae28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f8ae28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A well-managed patient statement workflow is one of the simplest ways to improve a practice&#8217;s financial performance. The following practices are followed by high-performing billing teams and are embedded in the Vigilant Billing process.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Timing of Statement Delivery<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statements should be sent within 5-7 business days of insurance payment being posted. Every day of delay is a day of lost revenue. Industry benchmarks from MGMA (Medical Group Management Association) suggest that top-performing practices send statements within 48-72 hours of final payment posting. Visit: www.mgma.com<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Plain-Language Formatting<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical billing is already confusing for patients. Statements written in billing jargon or cluttered with unexplained codes create friction that directly reduces payment rates. Every statement should be formatted so that a patient without any healthcare knowledge can understand exactly what they owe and why.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Multiple Payment Methods<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The easier it is to pay, the more likely it is that payment will be received. Statements should include at least three payment methods: online portal, phone, and mail. Text-to-pay features have been shown to increase collection rates among patients under 55, according to InstaMed&#8217;s Annual Patient Payments Report (instamed.com).<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Systematic Follow-Up Schedule<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A single statement is rarely enough. A structured follow-up sequence typically at 30, 60, and 90 days, should be built into the workflow for all unpaid balances. Escalation procedures should be clearly defined for accounts reaching the 90-day threshold.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50e28f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"50e28f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Patient Statements Impact Revenue Cycle Performance\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e925e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e925e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPatient responsibility balances now represent a larger share of total practice revenue than ever before. As deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums have risen dramatically over the past decade, the effective management of patient statements has become a strategic priority not just an administrative function.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-100a1e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"100a1e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n.emr-ehr-table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  overflow-x:auto;\r\n  font-family:'Poppins', Arial, sans-serif;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  border-collapse:collapse;\r\n  min-width:400px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table th{\r\n  background:#0D9488;\r\n  color:#ffffff;\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table td{\r\n  padding:12px;\r\n  border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  color:#1F2937;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:nth-child(even){\r\n  background:#f6f8fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:hover{\r\n  background:#eef3fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Highlight latest year *\/\r\n.highlight {\r\n  font-weight:700;\r\n  color:#0D9488;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Responsive *\/\r\n@media (max-width:768px){\r\n  .emr-ehr-table th,\r\n  .emr-ehr-table td{\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    font-size:13px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"emr-ehr-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Year<\/th>\r\n<th>Patient Responsibility as % of Total Revenue<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n\r\n<tr><td>2015<\/td><td>19%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2016<\/td><td>21%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2017<\/td><td>24%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2018<\/td><td>26%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2019<\/td><td>28%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2020<\/td><td>27%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2021<\/td><td>30%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2022<\/td><td>32%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>2023<\/td><td>34%<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td class=\"highlight\">2024<\/td><td class=\"highlight\">37% (projected)<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f95519 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f95519\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Employer Health Benefits Annual Survey; TransUnion Healthcare 2024 Report<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86d1bf8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"86d1bf8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bad1af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1bad1af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Reading:\n<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40c16c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"40c16c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The way a claim is submitted affects the patient&#8217;s final balance significantly. Learn about our denial management services: <a href=\"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/\">www.vigilantbillingms.us<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89f301e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"89f301e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4bf0e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f4bf0e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Vigilant Billing Manages Patient Statements<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cfba07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cfba07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAt Vigilant Billing, patient statements are not treated as a formality, they are treated as a collections tool. Every element of the statement workflow is designed to reduce friction, reduce disputes, and accelerate payment.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c11c4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1c11c4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n.emr-ehr-table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  overflow-x:auto;\r\n  font-family:'Poppins', Arial, sans-serif;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table table{\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  border-collapse:collapse;\r\n  min-width:600px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table th{\r\n  background:#0D9488;\r\n  color:#ffffff;\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table td{\r\n  padding:12px;\r\n  border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;\r\n  text-align:center;\r\n  color:#1F2937;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:nth-child(even){\r\n  background:#f6f8fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.emr-ehr-table tr:hover{\r\n  background:#eef3fb;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Highlight superior approach column *\/\r\n.vigilant {\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n  color:#0D9488;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Responsive *\/\r\n@media (max-width:768px){\r\n  .emr-ehr-table th,\r\n  .emr-ehr-table td{\r\n    padding:10px;\r\n    font-size:13px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"emr-ehr-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Process Area<\/th>\r\n<th>Vigilant Billing Approach<\/th>\r\n<th>Industry Average<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Statement turnaround time<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"vigilant\">Within 48\u201372 hours of final payment posting<\/td>\r\n<td>7\u201314 days<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Statement format<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"vigilant\">Plain-language, itemized, mobile-optimized<\/td>\r\n<td>Standard billing template<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Delivery options<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"vigilant\">Email, text, portal, and paper (patient preference)<\/td>\r\n<td>Mail only or email only<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Follow-up sequence<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"vigilant\">30 \/ 60 \/ 90-day structured reminders<\/td>\r\n<td>Single statement, ad hoc follow-up<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Error audit<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"vigilant\">Pre-send review on every statement<\/td>\r\n<td>No standard review process<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Payment options included<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"vigilant\">Online, phone, mail, text-to-pay<\/td>\r\n<td>Phone and mail<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Financial assistance notice<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"vigilant\">Included on all qualifying accounts<\/td>\r\n<td>Inconsistent<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebf471b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ebf471b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPractices that partner with Vigilant Billing consistently report reductions in days in accounts receivable (AR) and increases in patient collections yield within the first 90 days. Learn more: www.vigilantbilling.ms.us\/revenue-cycle-management\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1fdf42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f1fdf42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-804f101 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"804f101\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n@import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Poppins:wght@400;600;700&display=swap');\r\n\r\n.faq-wrapper{\r\n  font-family:'Poppins', sans-serif;\r\n  width:100%;\r\n  color:#1F2937;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Each FAQ item *\/\r\n.faq-item{\r\n  border:1px solid #e5e5e5;\r\n  border-radius:10px;\r\n  margin-bottom:12px;\r\n  overflow:hidden;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Question *\/\r\n.faq-question{\r\n  background:#0D9488;\r\n  color:#fff;\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  font-weight:600;\r\n  font-size:15px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Answer *\/\r\n.faq-answer{\r\n  padding:14px;\r\n  font-size:14px;\r\n  line-height:1.6;\r\n  background:#ffffff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Responsive *\/\r\n@media (max-width:768px){\r\n  .faq-question{\r\n    font-size:14px;\r\n    padding:12px;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  .faq-answer{\r\n    font-size:13px;\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"faq-wrapper\">\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"faq-item\">\r\n    <div class=\"faq-question\">What is the difference between a patient statement and an itemized bill?<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"faq-answer\">\r\n      A patient statement is a summary-level document that shows the amount owed after insurance has been applied. \r\n      An itemized bill is a detailed, line-by-line breakdown of every service, supply, and charge associated with a visit.\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"faq-item\">\r\n    <div class=\"faq-question\">How long is a provider allowed to wait before sending a patient statement?<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"faq-answer\">\r\n      No specific federal law defines a strict timeline, although state laws and payer contracts may apply. \r\n      According to MGMA and HFMA best practices, statements should be sent within 5\u20137 business days after the final insurance payment is posted. \r\n      Delays beyond 30 days significantly reduce collection rates.\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"faq-item\">\r\n    <div class=\"faq-question\">Can a patient be sent to collections without receiving a statement first?<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"faq-answer\">\r\n      Providers under the No Surprises Act and fair billing standards must make good-faith efforts to collect payment directly from the patient \r\n      before referring the balance to a collections agency.\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"faq-item\">\r\n    <div class=\"faq-question\">What happens if there is an error on a patient statement?<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"faq-answer\">\r\n      Patients have the right to dispute any charge. Once a dispute is received, billing should be paused while the issue is reviewed. \r\n      If an error is confirmed, a corrected statement must be issued and the original adjusted.\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"faq-item\">\r\n    <div class=\"faq-question\">Are electronic patient statements HIPAA compliant?<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"faq-answer\">\r\n      Yes, electronic statements can be HIPAA compliant when safeguards such as encryption, secure patient portals, and consent-based communication \r\n      are used. Patient preferences for communication must also be respected.\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"faq-item\">\r\n    <div class=\"faq-question\">What financial assistance options are practices required to mention on statements?<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"faq-answer\">\r\n      Tax-exempt hospitals must include financial assistance policy notices under IRS Section 501(r). \r\n      For other practices, disclosure is considered best practice and may be required under state laws or payer agreements such as Medicaid participation.\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways A patient statement is the final bill sent to a patient after insurance has been processed. \u00a0It is different from an Explanation of Benefits (EOB), which is issued by the insurer. \u00a0Statements that are unclear, delayed, or inaccurate are among the top reasons for non-payment. Electronic patient statements are proven to reduce collection [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":38017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medical-billing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38012"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38012\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigilantbillingms.us\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}