Collections Optimization

According to Experian Health's State of Patient Access report, patients want two things when it comes to medical billing and collections: clear insurance information and accurate cost estimates. Yet, when they ask, “How much will this cost me?”, many find themselves without a clear answer. Slower payments are an inevitable result. For providers, sub-par billing hurts revenue and limits investment in patient care. Modernizing patient collections with digital tools helps deliver accurate estimates, tailored payment plans and simpler ways to pay, while giving patients the financial clarity they desire. This article looks at the key components of patient collections, and how software-led solutions support a more transparent, patient-friendly and sustainable healthcare revenue cycle. How medical billing and collections impact the revenue cycle Every revenue cycle manager knows that unreliable billing and collections processes can throw the entire revenue cycle into disarray. A single mistake during patient registration, such as an omission in insurance verification or a typo in an address, can lead to inaccurate cost estimates, claim denials and delayed payments. Outdated collections methods force staff to spend valuable time clarifying and chasing payments, instead of focusing on patient care. When these billing inefficiencies pile up, the financial strain spreads beyond the revenue cycle, jeopardizing the organization's ability to make good on its core mission. A reliable medical billing and collection process is essential for both patient satisfaction and organizational resilience. Breaking down the collection process in medical billing To meet the needs of both patients and providers, an ideal medical billing and collection process should include the following components: Pre-visit insurance verification and cost estimates – At registration, staff verify coverage, confirm patient responsibility and provide an upfront cost estimate to prevent any surprise bills. Service and charge capture – Throughout treatment, clinicians document services accurately, and coding staff ensure all medical codes are correct, so bills and claims are error-free. Claim submission – With accurate data from the start, billing teams are set up to submit clean claims the first time and maximize the likelihood of reimbursement. Patient billing and payment – Once insurance processing is checked off, patients receive clear, itemized bills with links to convenient payment options. Follow-up and collections – Rather than pestering patients with phone calls, automated reminders sent via text or email give a less intrusive nudge to encourage timely payments. Healthcare organizations can offer flexible payment plans and, if bills remain unpaid, initiate a structured collections process that balances firm follow-up with compassionate financial counseling. How to optimize the process for maximum revenue If billing and collections teams are used to manual systems, making the switch to automated tools may seem daunting. Focusing on a few core principles, like transparency, accuracy and flexibility, will help ensure they prioritize areas that matter most to patients. Here are a few examples of how digital tools tackle the most common problems that get in the way of better billing and collections: 1. Problem: Patients don't understand their bills Fix: Provider accurate estimates and clear, itemized statements The State of Patient Access report found that 96% of patients want accurate upfront estimates. Yet, 64% did not receive them – and 14% said their estimates were wrong. Tools like Patient Payment Estimates software quickly pull together all the essential data to generate a more precise breakdown of who owes what. Patient Financial Advisor sends patients a pre-service text message with a secure link to their estimated patient responsibility, based on real-time rates, pricing and benefit information. Patients get instant confirmation of what they'll owe and the option to make a secure payment then and there. 2. Problem: Payments are delayed Fix: Offer online and mobile-friendly options With 60% of patients saying they want more online options to pay bills, providers that continue to rely on checks and phone calls are missing a major opportunity. Digital billing and payment methods remove friction and make it easier for patients to keep track of their bills and remember to pay. An integrated payment processing system like PaymentSafe® enables providers to collect payments 24/7 from an increased number of collection points. The tool automatically pre-populates fields in patients' accounts, allowing them to pay multiple bills simultaneously. 3. Problem: High administrative burden is taking a toll on staff Fix: Use technology to prioritize high-value accounts and automate follow-ups and reminders Automation can be a lifesaver for providers struggling with manual follow-up workflows, especially as increasing patient volumes outpace staffing levels. For providers, tools like Collections Optimization Manager help revenue cycle management staff collect more patient balances based on patient segmentation. This solution categorizes patients into different tiers according to their ability and likelihood to pay, using data analysis and predictive modeling. Collections Optimization Manager helps staff prioritize high-value patient accounts, so they don’t pursue uncollectable accounts and collect more with fewer resources. On a recent webinar with Experian Health, Kristen Shoup, Revenue Cycle Director at Wooster Community Hospital, shared how Collections Optimization Manager and automated patient text reminders reduced the administrative burden on staff while offering a more convenient way for patients to pay their balances. Read more about how automated collections strategies helped Wooster achieve a $3.8 million increase in patient payments. 4. Problem: Unpaid balances are piling up Fix: Implement flexible payment plans Patients who are worried about being able to afford their medical bills are more likely to seek out providers that offer flexible payment plans. Personalized plans allow patients to explore tailored payment options and break bills into manageable amounts. For example, Patient Financial Clearance screens patients for Medicaid or other assistance programs, and directs them to the most suitable payment plan. This reduces the risk of unpaid bills and means fewer accounts are written off to bad debt. See how UCHealth used automated financial clearance to identify $26 million in charity care. Strengthening the revenue cycle through better billing and collection practices Providers that listen to what patients say they need to help them stay on track with their financial responsibility will not only improve patient satisfaction, but also gain a competitive edge. Making the medical billing and collection process more compassionate and efficient drives higher collections, reduces bad debt and builds a revenue cycle that is both patient-centered and financially strong. Find out more about how Experian Health helps healthcare organizations improve patient billing and collections. Learn more Contact us

A positive patient experience can quickly sour when difficult financial conversations enter the picture. High out-of-pocket costs and confusing medical bills make payments a sensitive issue for many patients. For providers, the challenge is clear: how to improve patient collections while delivering compassionate care. This article considers proven strategies and best practices to simplify patient collections, maximize revenue, and keep the focus on patient-centered care. The importance of optimizing patient collections for healthcare providers For many patients, an unforeseen medical emergency can quickly become a financial one. According to a 2024 report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, medical debt rose from an average of $2,000 per person to over $3,100 in a year, while 15 million Americans carry medical collections on their credit reports. Such financial strain erodes the patient experience, with one in five patients experiencing distress over healthcare costs they can't afford. Experian Health's State of Patient Access 2024 survey found that both patients and providers agree that understanding coverage helps patients manage their healthcare costs. Still, unpaid bills and aging accounts are a persistent concern for providers. Hospitals' operating margins may have rebounded, but remain extremely tight. Remaining alert to risks and opportunities in patient collections is essential for long-term financial health. As patients shoulder a greater share of their medical costs—and those costs continue to rise—efficient collections are critical for patient trust and financial resilience. Breaking down the patient collections process The patient collections process involves determining how much of the cost of care falls to the patient, and then billing and collecting the correct amounts. During registration, providers verify insurance coverage and eligibility to estimate what the insurer will cover. Accurate cost estimates can then be provided to patients upfront, giving them the option to make payments before or at the time of service. The bulk of billing and collections activities take place post-visit, sometimes involving third-party agencies. However, collections can be thwarted by several challenges. Staff must keep up with frequent changes in insurance policies to prevent errors in billing or cost calculations. Patients may worry about affordability, leading to late payments. Billing teams often lack information about patients' financial circumstances, making it hard to predict how likely they are to pay. On top of this, many patients expect more convenient payment options, such as online or mobile payment methods, and will express frustration if the process feels inconvenient. Proven strategies to collect more revenue, sooner Three ways to create a patient-friendly billing experience and ensure prompt payment include the following: 1. Reduce stress with clear pricing and flexible payment plans Patients want collections processes to be clearer and more transparent. The State of Patient Access survey found that more than four in ten patients say they would be more likely to cancel or postpone care without an accurate estimate. Six in ten say they'd be more confident in their ability to pay for care if they were offered a payment plan that took account of their financial situation. Automated patient estimates arm patients with accurate information about the expected cost of care in advance. They have more time to make their financial arrangements and are less likely to be surprised by a surprise bill. Providers can offer additional clarity and flexibility through tailored payment plans. Experian Health's Patient Financial Clearance software uses advanced analytics and data to analyze individual patient accounts and determine their ability to pay. This allows front desk personnel to quickly choose the most appropriate financial pathway for each patient. It also supports more compassionate financial conversations, as staff can adjust their approach to suit each patient's financial situation. 2. Help patients find and understand coverage Relying on manual processes can slow down registration and miss potential payment sources. Since 2000, unidentified coverage opportunities have landed hospitals with more than $745 billion in uncompensated care. Given that patients are asking for help understanding coverage, it makes sense to build coverage discovery into the collections process. Experian Health's Coverage Discovery® automatically scans patient accounts throughout their care journey to uncover alternative payment methods and reduce financial strain. This has helped healthcare organizations like Luminis Health identify over $240k in active coverage per month, greatly reducing the financial risk for patients and providers. 3. Make payments easier to prevent delays Improving patient collections processes will be fruitless if patients can't easily make payments. Digital and mobile payment options are non-negotiable for today's digital-first consumers. Accepting payments at multiple collection points, including mobile devices, kiosks and patient portals, gives patients the convenience and choice they need to pay promptly. Best practices for patient collections management Aside from automation and digital tools, the strongest strategies for improving patient collections rest on one key ingredient: robust data. Collections software is only as good as the data behind it. With a tool like Collections Optimization Manager, providers can deploy advanced analytics to segment patient accounts so they can be handled appropriately. Using credit, behavior and demographic data, it applies a proprietary propensity-to-pay score to each account, so staff know which accounts to prioritize, write off or refer out. This approach has helped organizations like Novant Health and Cone Health bring in millions of dollars with personalized, patient-centric collections. On-demand webinar: Hear how Novant Health and Cone Health achieved 7:1 ROI and $14 million in patient collections with Collections Optimization Manager. Tracking patient collections success By monitoring key performance indicators like collection rates, accounts receivable days and patient feedback, providers can continue to fine-tune their processes. Collections Optimization Manager captures this data in user-friendly dashboards and reports, so staff can assess their performance against their own history and industry trends. Users also benefit from expert support from Experian Health consultants, who help teams evaluate reports and recommend the right collections strategies every step of the way. How to build a patient collection strategy that gets results For millions of Americans, medical debt isn't just a financial burden: it's a barrier to care. To overcome this challenge, providers need proactive collections strategies that prioritize patient well-being and financial stability. By incorporating automation, analytics, and digital tools, healthcare organizations can create patient collections processes that are clear, compassionate and effective, delivering better outcomes for both patients and providers. Find out more about how Experian Health's suite of healthcare collections products helps providers boost collections, cash flow and patient satisfaction. Learn more Contact us

“Our call strategies did not yield the desired outcomes, and we recognized the need for additional data to better support our goal. We were also mindful of the potential risk of staff burnout and the impact it could have on overall performance.” —Carey Lawrence, Revenue Cycle Administrator Customer Service and Self-Pay Collections, Weill Cornell Medicine Challenge Weill Cornell Medicine is a leading medical school and research institution with $1.3 billion in annual patient revenue. Facing $42 million in annual bad debt and rising call center demands, Weill Cornell needed to upgrade their collections strategy. Staff lacked real-time insights into patients' propensity to pay and often resorted to calling most patients — a frustrating and inefficient process. They needed a better way to verify insurance coverage, understand patient payment history and determine eligibility for Medicaid eligibility, charity care or other financial assistance. The company had three specific objectives: Increase net revenue by improving self-pay collections through better segmentation and prioritization. Optimize call center operations through automation and better communication with patients. Select the right partner with expertise to provide technical solutions, consultative guidance and process improvements. Solution Weill Cornell turned to Experian Health's Collections Optimization Manager to increase cash collections with smarter segmentation. The partnership provided access to dedicated support from an analytics consulting manager at Experian Health. Together, they used Collections Optimization Manager to create a more targeted collections strategy, and to automatically segment patient accounts based on propensity-to-pay scores. This allowed staff to focus on high-value accounts and stop wasting time on uncollectible accounts. They were able to use Collections Optimization to screen out accounts that weren't deemed collectible, such as accounts for deceased patients, those in bankruptcy, or those eligible for Medicaid or charity care. Access to better data also reduced manual workloads. Validating the database with their existing Epic data also helped catch and correct some missteps. “We were able to eliminate skip tracing, for example, because Experian's extensive data sources ensure our mailing addresses are up to date,” says Lawrence. To improve call center efficiency and deliver a more compassionate payment experience, Weill Cornell also implemented PatientDial, an automated dialer that uses the segmentation data from Collections Optimization Manager, to run targeted outbound patient call campaigns. The initial implementation of automated dialer campaigns increased net collections from 65% to 83%. Outcome Thanks to Collections Optimization Manager and PatientDial, Weill Cornell saw a 7:6:1 return on investment and achieved the following results: $15M collected in pending patient payments $7M reduction in annual bad debt placements 92% of recoveries trending at Champion Benchmarks Automating call campaigns also led to a noticeable improvement in staff morale. Lawrence observes that “staff are more satisfied with the new, automated processes because they can be more productive and don't have to guess at which accounts to call or when. Our operations are flowing more smoothly which decreases all our stress levels.” Lawrence also notes the power of good data: “The detailed, customized reports on our bad debt helped us identify issues early, allowing us to target collections more effectively. We reduced the number of accounts sent to agencies, ultimately saving time and money.” Looking ahead, Weill Cornell plans to explore new ways to use automation to improve management of Medicaid eligibility, presumptive charity and agency reconciliation. Discover how Collections Optimization Manager and PatientDial can streamline your collections process, enable higher collections rates and improve patient communications. Learn more Contact us

Collecting patient payments is an ongoing struggle. Bills are confusing, reminders go missed and patients can't always afford to pay. Rising self-pay costs, new medical debt mitigation regulations, Medicaid changes and staff shortages all put added pressure on billing teams. The result is often poor patient financial experiences, wasted staff time and bad debt. As revenue cycle managers figure out a path forward in today's complex – and costly – healthcare environment, analytics-based collections optimization could be the answer. Solutions like Collection Optimization Manager help providers quickly understand a patient's ability and willingness to pay with screening and segmentation models, identify charity eligibility and implement effective patient billing outreach plans. This article summarizes a recent webinar with two longtime users, Wendi Cardwell of Novant Health and Wanda Taylor of Cone Health, who have successfully partnered with Experian Health to streamline collections, increase self-pay revenue and humanize patient financial experiences through segmentation and automation. How collections optimization boosts revenue Cari Cesaro-Hoffman, Senior Director–Enterprise Consultant for Collections Optimization Manager at Experian Health, set the stage with observations on how collections optimization solutions, like segmentation and automation, help providers maximize collections and engage patients compassionately. “Segmentation is the driver of successful patient billing cycles. It guides the team to focus on collections with those patients or guarantors with a higher likelihood to pay while helping to create patient-centric, positive patient financial experiences. Automation and customized operational processes embedded within collections optimization enhance the process even further.” Having the right collections optimization partner is critical. Both Cardwell and Taylor agree that Experian Health's unique consultative approach and comprehensive technology have been key to their success. The technology integrates seamlessly with account receivable data, helps streamline collections processes and allows for quick pivots to meet ongoing regulation changes — all while adding humanization to the revenue cycle. How to optimize collections with patient-centric insights In collections optimization, segmentation and automation allow healthcare organizations to evolve their payment collection strategies to keep up with rising healthcare costs, meet new industry regulations and drive more self-pay revenue. By using sophisticated, patient-centric insights, providers can make informed decisions on which accounts to prioritize, write off or refer to collection agencies. Collections optimization solutions, like Experian Health's Collection Optimization Manager, use multiple data sources to automatically screen and segment accounts based on propensity-to-pay scores. With a better understanding of each patient's financial situation, staff can prioritize high-value accounts and increase collections revenue. Experian Health's collections consultants provide ongoing support and expert advice, while advanced reporting allows revenue cycle managers to easily benchmark performance, refine patient payment forecasts and manage bad debt. Patient collections processes can be further optimized by integrating complementary financial screening and patient engagement tools, like Patient Financial Clearance, PatientDial and PatientText. Key takeaways from 2 real-world examples of successful collection optimization Cardwell and Taylor share how they are using collections optimization to boost revenue in today's increasingly high-cost healthcare environment. Below are the key takeaways from their conversation about how segmentation and automation are helping streamline collections, improve the patient experience and meet ever-evolving regulations. Segmentation and automation improve collections performance Segmentation and automation drive the patient billing cycle and enhance collection efforts – especially for self-pay collections. With the help of Experian Health's Collections Optimization Manager, Novant Health and Cone Health are able to quickly identify those patients likely to pay their bills and implement patient-first collection strategies. Cardwell shares how segmentation helps personalize the patient collections experience. "If patients have a high propensity to pay their bill and it's a low balance, like $300, they may not need a call quite yet since they may immediately make a payment when they get their bill. But if it's a high propensity to pay their bill and it's $3,000, they may be sitting at home wondering, 'How am I going to do this?' So, they just need that little nudge by someone calling and saying, 'Did you know we have payment plans that are interest-free? Let's help you get set up on that.'" Taylor agrees, "The automation is just remarkable for the ability to give our patients that white glove treatment and to be able to either contact them in some way, talk to people that want to talk to us or offer the automation that others want." Cardwell and Taylor also note that collections optimization helps their billing teams easily integrate charity care and financial assistance processes more closely with collections and revenue cycle workflows. This allows both organizations to quickly adapt to industry changes and new requirements, like medical debt mitigation regulations. Optimizing collections delivers real-world results The successful implementation of Collections Optimization Manager for Novant Health and Cone Health serves as a model for other healthcare organizations looking to improve their collections and revenue cycle performance. To date, Novant Health has seen an impressive ROI of 9.5/1 with a $16 million combined lift across hospital billing and provider billing, while Cone Health cleared $14M in patient payments and a 6:1 ROI. Additionally, Caldwell and Taylor both report saving valuable staff time and resources. Automating some of the screening processes and routing through bankruptcy, deceased and return mail has resulted in more than 3,000 manual hours saved between the two organizations. Caldwell says working with Experian Health reduces IT hours, especially for organizations that outsource IT like Novant Health. For example, “If you decide you no longer need to use a particular vendor partner and need to send data to another vendor partner, Experian Health can quickly make that flip for you.” Successful automated call campaigns driven by segmentation have been another win. Taylor describes using segmentation to efficiently “run unattended call campaigns that push calls out to patients with payment plan reminders.” Caldwell agrees, and shares that Novant Health has seen similar successes with collections call campaigns. Novant Health is using the data to run automated Medicaid enrollment call campaigns and is “looking into doing mother-baby” call campaigns to remind new moms to enroll their newborns for insurance coverage. Choosing the right collections optimization partner matters For providers looking to evolve their collections strategies, both Cardwell and Taylor stress the value of working with a collections optimization partner that offers turnkey solutions for a positive patient financial experience, seamless data integration and up-to-the-minute regulatory knowledge. Cone Health first adopted Coverage Discovery® and ClaimSource® before adding Collections Optimization Manager and Taylor says, “It just came together seamlessly. We've successfully evolved those products into a multi-item suite of information that is seamless in passing information back and forth. Experian Health also has their ear to what's happening at the state level and in federal and regulatory matters. So anytime there are new things coming down that impact our functionalities, they are coming to us with solutions to keep us cutting-edge.” Cardwell elaborates on how collections optimization helps Novant Health foster a human-centric financial experience. She says, “When we look at engaging our communities, Collections Optimization Manager has enabled us to do that effectively and efficiently, allowing us to deliver on our brand promise to care for our patients, each other and our communities.” The future of collections cycle management is here Healthcare organizations are already making strides to adopt collections optimization strategies that improve patient collection rates and boost self–pay collections. In today's fast-changing healthcare environment, it's critical for revenue cycle managers to evolve collections strategies to keep pace with patient needs and regulatory requirements. Working with a partner like Experian Health can help healthcare organizations better fulfill their financial goals, meet the needs of the patient population and deliver positive patient financial experiences. Find out more about how Collections Optimization Manager is changing the future of healthcare collections and watch the webinar to hear the full conversation on 'Boost self-pay collections: Novant Health & Cone Health's 7:1 ROI & $14M patient collections success.' Learn more Contact us

Improved automation and data-driven solutions are optimizing the patient collections process, even as providers face rising costs, shrinking reimbursements, looming changes to credit reporting, and an ongoing push toward greater efficiency. How do current solutions stack up against these challenges? Matt Hanas, Lead Product Manager at Experian Health, shares responses to some of the questions he's hearing from around the industry.  Q: Automation continues to be a buzzword in 2025, but what does it mean day-to-day for patient collections? What can automation do for healthcare providers and hospitals in 2025?  “Automation can mean many different things,” says Hanas. “It might mean saving on full-time employee hours or the number of clicks made by a user with an EHR like Epic. It could mean removing human intervention from a process, or trusting a vendor to deliver results without needing oversight.”  “When deployed correctly, automation will either reduce waste or increase profitability---or both,” he continues. “Imagine being able to export AR files out of an EHR on a daily basis. Those files trigger multiple processes that check for missed insurance coverage, bankruptcy filings, bad addresses and charity qualifications, to name a few possibilities. That information can be scored and segmented to drive hands-off dialer and text campaigns, with results delivered back to the EHR automatically and used to populate work lists and queues for staff to review—or, better yet, to create additional automation rules within the EHR to perform automated tasks like adjustments and write-offs.”  “Collections Optimization Manager has the proven ability to automate workflows. It's used at hospitals around the country to discover overlooked Medicaid coverage, apply charity write-offs, utilize interactive voice responses (IVR) to collect payments, send out text message payment reminders and more,” Hanas says. “These are all key drivers behind a profitable and efficient healthcare organization. Thousands of hours are being saved, while hospitals and providers achieve greater efficiency and profitability.”  Q: Can segmentation increase collections and boost patient satisfaction? How does the power of intuitive segmentation improve the patient collections process?  “For certain, failing to understand patients' individual needs is not a recipe for improving collections or increasing patient satisfaction,” says Hanas. Healthcare costs are rising, physician reimbursement is decreasing, and many consumers are feeling an economic squeeze. A 2024 survey by Commonwealth Fund found nearly half of respondents (48%) had skipped care, declined to fill a prescription, or decided against seeing a specialist because of cost. In this environment, segmentation can help providers develop a more responsive process, which may help to facilitate patient collections.  “When providers use detailed, comprehensive segmentation, they can implement specific contact strategies, payment plans or even automatic write-offs based on a patient's unique financial status,” says Hanas. “They can ensure that each patient has the right number of touches and can offer them a range of possible payment options.” For example, Patient Financial Clearance can connect eligible patients with financial assistance or charity.   “There are various data models used across the industry,” Hanas explains. “They group patients by credit data, payment history, demographics, geolocation, and a variety of other factors. What makes Experian Health segmentation so powerful is that it includes all of these factors. Having many types of data come together via algorithms and analytic models helps providers better understand their patients' financial factors, patient by patient. With properly deployed and utilized segmentation, collections can become a better-informed interaction between a patient and their provider that benefits both,” Hanas says.   Q: Outsourcing the patient collections process is standard practice, but do most providers really know how their agencies are performing? How can providers optimize these important relationships?  “Once providers have done the time-consuming research and picked an agency to partner with, their challenge is knowing whether those agencies are performing to standards,” Hanas says. “With thousands and thousands of accounts flying back and forth between the hospital and the agency (or agencies), monitoring performance manually would take an unimaginable amount of time.”  Experian Health has tools to automate the process. “Collections Optimization Manager has an offering built into it that monitors agency performance on multiple levels,” says Hanas. “It includes details [like] whether an agency's license has expired, or whether they've had a complaint or lawsuit filed against them. Because money collected is the true performance metric, it also compares account balances for each provider account against what the agency says they've collected. These results are then reported on dashboards, reports and scorecards, so providers get easily digestible information.”   Data also helps providers compare performance between agencies. “Clients are using performance metrics from Collections Optimization to line agencies up against each other and compare,” Hanas says. “This 'challenger' technique allows providers to see which agency is delivering superior performance,” and then these providers can ultimately make decisions on how to allocate business going forward.  Q: In addition to keeping up with operational challenges and technology, providers are navigating changes in the regulatory space. How are fast-evolving state regulations around financial assistance affecting collections strategies?  “More and more states are passing financial assistance-specific regulations,” says Hanas. “Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, Maine, California, and North Carolina are just a few of the states that have enacted such laws, and each state has its own rules around how financial assistance should be approached. These regulations affect when action can be taken before sending statements to patients or sending accounts to collections."  “For example, in Maine, individuals who are eligible for charity care – defined as being at or below 150% of the federal poverty line (FPL) – may not have their bills sent to collections. For individuals over 150% FPL, nonprofit hospitals must wait at least 120 days after they send the first post-discharge bill before sending the bill to collections, by federal law,” Hanas explains.  “In New York, a bill can be sent to collections if the patient has been provided written notification of the financial assistance program within 30 days of the bill being referred to a collector,” Hanas says. “However, for a hospital to participate in New York's indigent care pool, a hospital cannot send a bill to collections if there is a pending financial assistance application.  “In New Jersey, an individual can only be sent to collections for amounts that are determined to be not eligible for charity care,” says Hanas. “A hospital must give applicants written notice informing them about charity care, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare, or refer them to a medical assistance program within three months of the date of service. If they don't, then the hospital cannot pursue collections.  “Because every state has different laws, it can be very cumbersome and time-consuming for providers to comply with these changes,” Hanas concludes. “Finding and implementing the tools needed to carry out these requirements can be a challenge.”  Q: How can the right tools help providers meet regulatory requirements without disrupting collections?   “One common theme among many of these regulations is for states to require providers to screen patients at the start of the patient care cycle to make sure they're offered the proper charity care and financial assistance options they may be eligible for,” says Hanas.   “Here's an example,” he continues. “On January 1, 2025, North Carolina enacted the Comprehensive Medical Debt Relief and Reform Incentive Program. The program focuses on two main aspects---providing medical debt relief for patients and helping them access financial assistance by focusing on their presumptive eligibility for charity care. To achieve this objective, hospitals will start to automatically qualify certain patients for charity care by looking at the patient’s FPL to make sure that discounts or full write-offs are applied to their medical services as appropriate.   “This is where a comprehensive end-to-end solution can be of great value,” Hanas notes. “It allows hospitals to obtain the data they need to proactively offer and provide charity care and financial assistance options based on each patient's FPL, which is derived from household income and household size.   “The Collections Optimization solution at Experian Health not only focuses on the collections part of the hospitals' workflows but the charity care part as well. Collections Optimization can return FPL scores for each patient so that these patients aren't being moved further down the patient care cycle and placed into the collections stream if they're eligible for financial assistance or charity care. As a result,” Hanas concludes, “patients are well-served by financial assistance programs, while providers are empowered to implement their programs effectively as they comply with changing state laws.”  Find out more about how Collections Optimization Manager helps providers adapt to constantly evolving challenges with the patient collections process.  Learn more Contact us

Collecting payments from patients has always been tough. Confusing bills, missed reminders and affordability concerns often lead to delays. Billing teams get bogged down in follow-up calls and paperwork, leaving little time for complex cases and a big question mark over whether they're using their time efficiently. As patients shoulder a greater share of their healthcare costs, there's increased pressure to make billing more accessible, transparent and manageable. Could automation be the answer? This article looks at how automation can simplify patient collections for everyone. With faster reminders, more accurate estimates, tailored payment plans and efficient collections management, providers can improve the patient experience and increase collections simultaneously. The importance of automation in patient collections One of the biggest frustrations for billing staff is seeing patients struggle to pay their bills. Medical costs can be daunting, and as patients are confronted with rising prices at the gas pumps and grocery stores, they may feel forced to delay healthcare payments or forego care altogether. Complicated bills with unclear charges and terminology only compound the problem: Experian Health's 2024 State of Patient Access (SOPA) survey found that 69% of providers see patients postpone services when they don't understand the financial impact. Many patients are able to pay their bills, but need clearer and more flexible payment options. In their attempts to support patients, billing teams spend a lot of time managing routine tasks like sending reminders, setting up payment plans and fielding questions about bills and unresolved insurance issues. What if these tasks could be handled automatically? There are opportunities to take advantage of automation, advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence in just about every corner of the collections process. Providers integrating automation in patient collections find it easier to help patients keep up with payments and maintain a steady cash flow — without draining staff resources. The benefits of automation for patient collections Here is a run-down of a few key automation benefits for patient collections: 1. Clearer billing, which boosts better cash flow In the SOPA survey, 88% of providers recognized that upfront price estimates contribute to collections success. Automation makes it easier to calculate accurate estimates based on the provider's current prices and the patient's specific insurance benefits. With user-friendly bills, patients can quickly grasp what they owe without needing to ask their provider for clarification. Automated systems can also issue friendly reminders to patients via text or email so they don't miss payment deadlines. Including quick payment links allows patients to click and pay in an instant. 2. Personalized payment options, which create a compassionate and convenient patient experience A survey by Experian Health and PYMNTs found that patients welcome tailored payment plans that allow them to pay their bills in stages. This is backed up by SOPA findings, which show that 40% of providers have seen reduced friction in patient intake thanks to payment plans. Automation can be used to calculate customized options that fit different budgets. Aligning payment plans to the patients' ability to pay improves the consumer experience and minimizes bad debt. Today's consumers want to choose how they pay for care, yet many providers lack the online and mobile-enabled payment options to support fast and convenient payments. With automation, healthcare organizations can enable multiple secure payment methods across their services and departments, giving patients more hassle-free ways to pay. 3. Increased efficiency, which reduces the admin burden for staff With automation handling routine billing tasks, staff can spend less time on paperwork and more time on patient care, leading to a more efficient and patient-focused service. Overall, automation creates a smoother billing experience. Patients appreciate clear information, convenient payment options, and timely reminders, which makes them more satisfied with their care. Key tools and technologies for automating patient collections When building a toolkit for automated patient collections, providers can choose from a growing range of technologies. For example: 1. Analytics-based collections optimization One way to simplify patient collections is to use data analytics to screen, segment and prioritize self-pay accounts so that each one can be handled in the most efficient way. Collections Optimization Manager screens patient accounts for bankruptcy, deceased status, Medicaid, and charity so staff can focus on higher-yield accounts. After screening, accounts are given a score based on the patient's propensity to pay and then routed to the most appropriate servicing channel. Users can access real-time dashboards and expert consultancy support to monitor and improve collections strategies. This improves the experience for patients, reduces repetitive manual work for staff, and maximizes collections while reducing the overall cost to collect. See it in action: How Wooster Community Hospital collected $3.8M in patient balances with Collections Optimization Manager 2. Financial aid automation Many patients with high out-of-pocket costs and co-pays are unaware that they might be eligible for financial assistance. By using Experian’s comprehensive data, Patient Financial Clearance automatically determines which patients may qualify for financial assistance and even auto-enrolls them in relevant programs. To make this process as easy as possible for patients, the tool prompts them to complete applications whenever it is convenient, either online or through their smartphones. This releases staff from time-consuming manual work and accelerates approvals and payments. In addition, the tool creates individualized payment plans that account for what the patient is likely to be able to afford, thus helping providers collect from patients who do not qualify for charity support, too. See it in action: How Eskenazi Health boosted Medicaid approvals by 111% with financial aid automation 3. Automated upfront, accurate estimates For patients with out-of-pocket bills, getting ahead of any surprise charges with accurate pre-service estimates is essential. Patient Estimates is a web-based pricing tool that pulls together every last detail about chargemaster pricing, payer contracts, insurance benefits and financial assistance policies to generate an accurate estimate for patients. It applies any prompt-pay discounts or payment plans so the patient knows what to expect. Helping patients understand and prepare for forthcoming bills smooths out the payment process and leads to more revenue being collected, sooner. 4. Digitally enabled payment technology The patient-friendly collections experience can be rounded out by offering a choice of digital-first payment methods. PaymentSafe® allows providers to securely accept patient payments at any time, expanding the number of collection points available to patients. The tool automatically integrates data from across the payments ecosystem to pre-populate fields in the patients' accounts, allowing them to pay multiple bills at once, and automatically settles and remits payments. Making it easy for patients to pay accelerates payments, including before and at the point of service. The future of patient collections through automation Bringing together automation and patient collections will continue to simplify and make these processes more patient-friendly. Automation and digital tools will enable more self-service options, making it easy for patients to manage bills, choose payment plans, and make payments at their convenience. Moving toward greater transparency and personalization will also give patients more control. Emerging technologies such as predictive analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence will give providers greater insights into their patients' financial needs, so they can offer proactive and compassionate support to navigate the process. As these trends gather steam, patient collections will become faster, more adaptable and better aligned with the needs of today's healthcare consumers. Find out more about how simplifying patient collections with automation can improve patient experiences and increase collections. Learn more Contact us

As more Americans feel the squeeze on their household budgets, paying for healthcare is a growing concern. A 2024 survey by Pew Research Center found that the number of Americans who rate their personal finances positively has dropped from 50% to 40% over the last three years, with nearly 60% of Americans now saying their financial situation is "fair" or "poor." A West Health-Gallup poll revealed that 35% of US adults would struggle to afford care, with some cutting back on essentials like utilities or food to pay for medical expenses. To address and mitigate these financial pressures, healthcare providers must take proactive steps to support patients and avoid a shortfall in collections. Patient payment plans can help patients manage costs without delaying or skipping necessary care. Providers that go the extra mile to improve the patient experience will boost patient attraction and retention rates, reduce collection costs and support the financial health of their patients and their organizations. The growing importance of healthcare payment plans Cost concerns often influence patients' perceptions of their providers. In Experian Health's State of Patient Access 2024 survey, 54% of patients who thought patient access had deteriorated over the previous twelve months said it was because they were less able to afford care. On the flip side, 32% of those who thought patient access was better said it was because payment plans made care more manageable. Healthcare payment plans allow patients to spread out the cost of their medical expenses into smaller, more manageable chunks, instead of paying the full amount at once. Previous research by Experian Health and PYMNTS confirms that patients welcome the flexibility, convenience and reassurance that this offers. This is particularly true of patients who would struggle to pay an unexpected bill: up to a fifth of these patients would switch providers based on the payment experience alone. The clear message for providers is that patients who struggle to pay bills—especially unexpected bills—are more likely to need healthcare payment plans and to seek out a provider that offers them. How flexible patient payment plans improve satisfaction By letting patients pay at a pace that works for them and their budget, payment plans reduce stress and create a more supportive and compassionate financial experience. When patients know they have options, they're more likely to stay on track with payments and feel more satisfied with their overall care. A major advantage is that these plans can be tailored to each patient's unique situation. For example, with PatientSimple®, patients can use a self-service portal to generate pricing estimates and explore suitable payment plans to make a more informed decision about how they'll pay for care. They can break down bills into smaller and more affordable payments, rather than facing the daunting prospect of a single large bill. Using Experian Health's unmatched data and advanced analytics, PatientSimple offers a richer understanding of each patient's propensity to pay, helping providers make better decisions about the optimal financial pathway for each patient. Patients can access their bills and statements online at any time. This is more convenient for them and frees up staff to give more attention to patients with more complex circumstances. Key benefits of healthcare payment plans for patients and providers Improving the patient experience with healthcare payment plans also translates into financial and operational benefits for providers. Helping patients navigate their financial responsibilities more easily — especially through automation and software-based tools — increases cash flow, reduces admin burdens and boosts overall efficiency. Here are a few examples of how payment plans and other financial tools can benefit patients and providers: 1. Patient Financial Clearance automatically screens patients to determine eligibility for Medicaid or other financial assistance programs. Calculating the optimal payment plan based on the patient's ability to pay gives patients more affordable options and providers more predictable revenue streams. Increasing access to financial assistance also increases access to care, as patients are more likely to follow care plans, leading to better health outcomes. Case study: How UCHealth wrote off $26 million in charity care with Patient Financial Clearance 2. Patient Financial Advisor and Patient Estimates give patients a pre-service, personalized breakdown of what their bill is likely to be, using accurate chargemaster data, payer rates and real-time benefits information. This upfront clarity makes it easier for patients to plan for payments, while providers benefit from fewer payment defaults and improved patient trust. And with fewer bills ending up in accounts receivable, providers can reduce the manual effort needed to manage outstanding balances. 3. Helping patients reduce out-of-pocket expenses is another way to achieve a better financial experience, boosting loyalty and retention. Coverage Discovery® finds any forgotten or overlooked commercial and government coverage, so no costs that should be covered elsewhere fall to the patient. The tool scans for potential coverage from pre-service through the entire accounts receivable file, and automates self-pay scrubbing to detect discrepancies that can be quickly corrected. Accounts that were previously destined for collections, charity or bad debt are instead submitted for payment. Case study: How Luminis Health found $240k in billable coverage each month with Coverage Discovery 4. Finally, removing friction from the payment process will always be a win with patients and providers. Consumers increasingly rely on mobile and contactless payment tools, so it makes sense to offer similar options in healthcare. PaymentSafe® allows providers to collect any payment securely and quickly. Patients can pay anytime and anywhere, while providers benefit from faster, more reliable revenue collection. Maximizing patient experience with effective healthcare payment plans Payment plans aren't just a financial lifeline for patients. They can make or break the whole patient experience. Alex Harwitz, VP of Product, Digital Front Door, at Experian Health, explains the importance of healthcare payment plans and why offering flexible payment options is at the heart of improving the patient experience: “Our most recent State of Patient Access report confirms that many consumers are concerned about how they'll handle their healthcare bills. Having a plan to make costs more manageable can immediately alleviate some of that stress. Providers have an opportunity to step up and help them figure out the best financial pathway.” He says, “At Experian Health, we use data and automated technology to help providers identify patients who need extra assistance and direct them toward appropriate support. Providers that don't offer payment plans, estimates and other financial solutions will struggle to attract and retain patients who can't pay upfront and risk more patient accounts being written off as bad debt.” Paying bills will never be an enjoyable part of the patient journey, but clear and compassionate healthcare payment plans make it easier. With the right technology, providers can simplify and accelerate the collections process, foster patient trust, and most importantly, allow patients to focus on their health instead of their bills. Prescribe the right financial pathway for your patients with Experian Health's industry-leading patient collections technology. Learn more Contact us

Self-pay collections are challenging for healthcare organizations of all shapes and sizes, but particularly for mid-size providers. Caught in an awkward middle ground, these organizations are often too large to operate with the agility and personal touch of small clinics, but too small to leverage the economies of scale available to large health systems. Revenue cycle managers must find the balance between operational efficiency, patient-centered services and financial constraints. With limited staff and resources, many mid-size hospitals feel like they're fighting an uphill battle to maintain cash flow and patient satisfaction as they contend with increasingly complex billing and insurance protocols. Implementing self-pay collections strategies tailored to mid-sized healthcare organizations can boost efficiency, reduce bad debt and create smoother patient billing processes. This article looks at practical strategies to help bring more dollars in the door without compromising the patient experience. Importance of effective self-pay collections in the mid-sized market Like other markets, mid-size providers are squeezed by self-pay collections on two fronts – the hospital's financial health and patient satisfaction. Finding the right collections strategy is vital to protect this “double bottom line.” Financially, failure to collect on bills seriously hurts cash flow. Unlike larger hospitals that might have more resources or smaller practices with fewer expenses, mid-size facilities often operate on tighter margins. Inefficient collections processes lead providers to risk revenue loss, which leads to cuts in services, staff and the ability to invest in new tech. At the same time, the way hospitals handle billing and collections plays a major role in how patients feel about their overall healthcare experience. Confusing bills or aggressive collections tactics can damage trust. An effective self-pay collections strategy that makes payments easy, straightforward and flexible contributes to a positive patient experience and will pay dividends in the long run. How to improve self-pay patient collections for mid-size hospitals and facilities Here is a breakdown of some key approaches and tools that can be adapted to suit the specific needs of mid-size providers and make billing and collections more efficient, patient-friendly and cost-effective: 1. Automate as much as possible One of the fastest ways to make better use of resources is with automation. Why have staff spend hours sending out bills and payment reminders by hand when this can be done automatically? Automated collections tools can also send email and text reminders to patients, set up auto-pay options, and guide patients to appropriate payment plans. Automatic alerts for overdue accounts can be used to help staff focus their limited time on high-value activities. This saves time, reduces errors and creates seamless patient experiences. Read more: Maximize patient collections with automated technology 2. Segment and conquer collections Every patient's financial situation is different, so why handle their accounts in the same way? Segmentation divides patients into groups based on their payment behaviors, financial situations and balance size so that providers can tailor their approach. Collections Optimization Manager screens and segments self-pay accounts to scrub accounts that need special handling (like bankruptcy, deceased status, Medicaid and charity) and focus on patients most likely to pay. Accounts are given a segment code based on the patient's propensity to pay, which then informs how the account is managed. For example, those who typically pay on time can get a simple text reminder, while those with larger balances or financial difficulties may need a more flexible payment plan. This solution can also be used with Patient Financial Clearance to create individualized payment plans for patients who may not qualify for charity care. A targeted approach to self-pay billing strategies for mid-sized healthcare facilities increases the chances of successful payments. 3. Implement interactive voice response (IVR) IVR systems allow patients to get important payment information through an automated phone system, without needing to talk to someone. Patients can receive automated voice messages or call in and follow prompts to pay their bills over the phone. Not only does this give patients far more flexibility to pay when convenient for them, but it also reduces the workload on staff, who don't have to handle so many incoming calls. Experian Health's cloud-based dialing platform, PatientDial, helps patients clear their bills quickly and conveniently, with minimal input from staff. In a single year, this tool helped clients collect over $50 million in self-pay collections and save 900,000 labor hours that would have been spent dialing manually. 4. Work with a dedicated collections consultant Bringing in a collections expert gives patient finance teams targeted support to improve collections rates while maintaining a positive patient experience. Clients who use Collections Optimization Manager get dedicated support from experienced revenue cycle consultants who can recommend the most appropriate collections strategies, evaluate opportunities to improve performance, and oversee scenarios to test and adopt new approaches. Some providers may find it more efficient to manage collections in-house, while others benefit from outsourcing to a specialist third party. Experian Health offers collections solutions to both, enabling mid-sized providers to choose the best fit. Collections Optimization consultants provide personalized attention and customized workflows tailored to the organization's needs, whether they're using Epic, Oracle, Meditech or other electronic health record platforms. Integrating patient-friendly billing practices Whatever the strategy, maintaining a positive patient-provider relationship through patient-friendly billing is essential. For example: Simplifying billing statements and using clear language reduces confusion and helps patients understand what they owe Running coverage discovery checks and offering upfront patient payment estimates gives patients greater clarity about their financial obligations Setting up automated reminders nudges patients to pay on time Highlighting available payment plans gives patients manageable options to reduce the risk of unpaid balances. Experian Health's data insights allow providers to better understand patients and develop strategies for proactive outreach before debts become unmanageable. Collection Optimization Manager's segmentation model draws together credit, behavior and demographic data, incorporating socio-economic modeling and income estimations to build a complete picture of each patient. Unlike traditional segmentation models that rely solely on payment history, the CO model includes estimated household size, income and federal poverty line analytics to generate a meaningful score without needing additional data. Automated communications such as PatientText and PatientDial make the billing and payment process less intrusive. Combining convenience and personalization builds trust and improves collections while supporting a more compassionate patient experience. Enhancing revenue for mid-sized medical groups with improved self-pay collections Going back to that “double bottom line,” Judy Wirtz, Senior Analytics Consultant at Experian Health, explains how Experian's collections toolkit helps mid-sized organizations boost financial performance while maintaining a positive patient experience: “Boosting self-pay collections for mid-size healthcare organizations doesn't have to be daunting,” she says. “Our goal is to simplify collections while keeping the patient experience front and center. We use industry-leading data, smart segmentation and dedicated support to help organizations customize their strategies based on their unique patient mix and resources. Other tools fill in different pieces of the collections puzzle, but Collections Optimization Manager is the only one to give providers the full picture. Our clients have seen an impressive 9:1 return on investment, so we're confident this approach makes a real difference.” Wirtz suggests that those who'd like to learn more about Collections Optimization Manager should watch Experian Health's recent webinar with Wooster Community Hospital. The hospital used CO to collect $3.8 million in patient balances. Find out more about how Collections Optimization Manager boosts self-pay collections for mid-size healthcare organizations. Learn more Contact us

Today's patients are used to the seamless and transparent payment processes in retail services. It's no surprise that they expect the same convenience with paying for healthcare. According to Experian Health's State of Patient Access 2024 report, 96% emphasized that it is crucial they receive an accurate estimate of treatment costs before service. In fact, 43% said they would opt out of receiving care if this information were unavailable. Patients also expect more payment options, including online and mobile payments, as confirmed by 72% of respondents. However, the reality is far from ideal for most patients. From unexpected medical bills to convoluted payment processes, the patient payment journey is anything but straightforward, and hospitals feel the consequences the most in their bottom lines. Unclear and confusing payment processes can lead to healthcare collection issues, impacting hospital financial stability. Discover how Experian Health's Collections Optimization Manager solution makes patient billing and healthcare collections more transparent, responsive and streamlined. Why Collections Optimization matters for mid-size healthcare providers Collections optimization involves leveraging technology to simplify and accelerate the process of collecting payments from patients. These solutions screen, segment and monitor accounts for efficient payment collections. Healthcare collections for mid-size providers is essential as they need a consistent cash inflow to stay afloat. With healthcare costs rising, affordability is a growing concern for patients and providers. About half of US adults find it challenging to cover their healthcare costs; one in four report needing help paying for healthcare within the last year, as per a KFF survey. In addition, according to Experian Health's State of Claims 2024 survey, 77% of providers are moderate to extremely worried about patient payments. By improving collections optimization, mid-size providers can assess patients' financial responsibility and capability as early as during patient registration. This allows them to prioritize high-value accounts and write off or refer other cases to collection agencies. Experian Health vs. Competitors: The key differentiators in healthcare collections for the mid-sized market Experian Health's Collections Optimization Manager solution outperforms the competition, by ensuring healthcare organizations receive personalized, automated and thorough support to manage healthcare collections. Automation: reducing costs and improving efficiency When it comes to healthcare collections for mid-size providers, many still rely on manual processes that exhaust limited staff resources and delay payment collections. Collections Optimization Manager provides end-to-end automation capabilities that streamline the entire healthcare collections process from patient registration to final payment. It automates critical components of healthcare collections, including payment capability screening, segmentation and payment monitoring, based on each organization's challenges and revenue cycle process. This automated collection approach conserves hospital resources and ensures payments move faster into their pockets. For instance, Wooster Community Hospital (WCH)  observed patient payments increase by $3.8 million a year after adopting Experian Health's Collections Optimization Manager, alongside PatientDial and PatientText. In a recent webinar, Kristen Shoup, Revenue Cycle Director at Wooster Community Hospital, and Judy Wirtz, Senior Analytics Consultant at Experian Health, discuss, “By automating Wooster's collection calls, we've been able to maximize in-house collections and boost their recovery rates.” Segmentation: optimizing receivables with data-driven insights Ensuring that care delivered is met with prompt payments is a top priority for healthcare organizations. With its advanced capabilities, Collections Optimization Manager provides a solution. One standout feature is its segmentation tool, which utilizes data-driven insights, including credit, behavior and demographic data, to categorize accounts based on their financial capabilities and situation. This approach helps organizations determine which patients most need payment arrangements and have self-sufficient accounts. Healthcare organizations can then optimize self-pay collections by prioritizing and targeting accounts with high propensity-to-pay scores. Segmentation also empowers healthcare organizations to make appropriate decisions on patient accounts with a low propensity to pay. This approach is one of the ways Wooster made the most of Collections Optimization Manager. “We have used the data with the propensity-to-pay scoring to help develop presumptive charity program within our organization and write those accounts off that have a low propensity-to-pay score,” Shoup elaborates. Dedicated collections consulting: personalized support for success Experian Health's Collections Optimization Manager comes with the extra support of dedicated revenue cycle consultants and data analysts, who can provide personalized guidance and customized workflows. These consultants work closely with hospital revenue cycle teams to offer customized strategy support, industry know-how and best practices to improve collection efforts. Wirtz explains Experian Health's partnership with Wooster's team: “We (the team and consultants) meet every other week and talk about performance, any new initiatives and any pain points that Wooster might have.” IVR and texting solutions: enhancing patient communication Another competitive advantage of utilizing Collections Optimization Manager for healthcare collections is enhanced patient communications, through PatientDial and PatientText. These products offer dialing and text messaging patient outreach services to improve collections, payments and patient engagement. With PatientDial and PatientText, providers can utilize an interactive voice response (IVR) that processes automated payments made over the phone and redirects calls to the appropriate agents, depending on the nature of the inquiry. What's more, teams are already seeing success with this integrated approach. Wirtz explains, “Since adopting PatientText, Wooster has seen a significant improvement in the patient collection complaints and has made the payment process much more convenient and less disrupted for their patients. [Experian Health] made things easier for the Wooster team by adding IVR, which reduces the need for agent interaction. So now patients can handle payments and manage their accounts on their own over the phone.” Cost savings: maximizing ROI for mid-sized providers The most evident competitive advantage of adopting Collections Optimization Manager is maximized return on investment (ROI) for mid-sized providers.  Revenue cycle teams can tailor their approach to each patient segment by segmenting accounts based on their likelihood to pay. This allows them to develop efficient strategies for healthcare collections and collect a higher percentage of outstanding payments more efficiently, with minimal delays and effort. The results for mid-sized providers: Clients have achieved an ROI of 9:1. How Experian Health's healthcare collections solutions drive results for mid-size providers The stakes are high when it comes to medical collections for mid-size providers: every passing minute of inaction means money slipping through the fingers of hospitals. Collections Optimization Manager is an industry-leading data-driven solution that enables revenue cycle management staff to accurately determine patient financial situation and responsibility from account creation and collect self-pay receivables through the most appropriate and effective measures. The benefits are indisputable: Sanford Health, the nation's largest non-profit, rural healthcare system, saw the most benefits with the segmentation feature. The healthcare system wanted a patient-focused, hybrid solution and found Experian Health's Collection Optimization Manager to be the perfect fit. Since the organization first implemented Collections Optimization Manager in October 2014, it has gained a total in-house patient collection lift of $40+ million, with an average monthly increase of $2.3 million. Why Experian Health is the best choice for mid-sized healthcare providers In an era of increasing healthcare consumerism, rising operational costs and high-deductible plans, hospitals looking to maintain steady cash inflow must rethink their payment collection approach. This need is especially pronounced for hospitals relying on manual processes, a reality for many mid-sized healthcare providers. Collections Optimization Manager delivers optimal automation and efficiency in how hospitals and health systems approach patient financials and collect payments. It is also well-suited for both in-house and agency collections teams. Contact us today to learn more about how Experian Health can help improve healthcare collections for mid-size providers and improve bottom lines with our Collections Suite of solutions. Learn more Contact us