--- title: Medical Billing Services and Bad Debt - Blog - Emerald AR | patientbilling description: patientbilling | Our blog keeps you up-to-date and informed regarding all things medical billing services and bad debt management. With healthcare being such a dynamic industry, it's great to keep your options available to all full service opportunities for your patients. --- - [Billing Dispute](https://share.hsforms.com/19JMxXfLJQVmZAu_Z6lfvFQ2vj2o?__hstc=33507169.a4ef11b15f1fbdf0c689f7913c4e0aa7.1565064394586.1565283894559.1565291729783.11&__hssc=33507169.2.1565291729783&__hsfp=4249850865) - [Pay Your Bill](https://www.youraccountcenter.com/) - [Careers](https://www.emeraldar.com/careers/) [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/logobig.png) ![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/logosmall-1.png) ![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/logobig.png)](https://emeraldar.com) [Client Portal](https://clientportal.emeraldar.com/) - [Home](https://www.emeraldar.com) - Products - [Medicaid Eligibility](https://www.emeraldar.com/eligibility) - Services - [Patient Statements](https://www.emeraldar.com/statements) - [Early Stage Patient Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/earlystagebilling) - [Late Stage Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/latestagepatientbilling) - [Blog](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog) - Resources - [Anesthesiology Patient Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/anesthesiology-patient-billing) - [Radiology Patient Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/radiology-patient-billing-services/) - [Medicaid Eligibility](https://www.emeraldar.com/medicaid-eligibility) - [Hospital Patient Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/hospital-patient-billing-services/) - [Contact Us](https://www.emeraldar.com/contact) ## Self-Pay Revenue Management ###### 2 min read ## [Improving the Healthcare Economy with Better Communication](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/improving-the-healthcare-economy-with-better-communication) By [Audrey Cooper](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/audrey-cooper) on March 3, 2020 - 3:14 PM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/New%20Blog%20Post%20(5).png)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/improving-the-healthcare-economy-with-better-communication) Health plays an important economic role in modern society. Despite widespread access to technological and human resources, the US economy faces significant problems with bankruptcies rising from healthcare debt, healthcare costs and uncompensated care. Topics: [Community health](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/community-health) [Health Centers](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/health-centers) [communication](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/communication) [multi-lingual patient](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/multi-lingual-patient) [Patient Friendly](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-friendly) [problem solving](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/problem-solving) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [notices](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/notices) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/improving-the-healthcare-economy-with-better-communication) ###### 2 min read ## [Your patient statements may be delaying patient payment](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/your-patient-statements-may-be-delaying-patient-payment) By [Emerald](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/emerald) on August 26, 2019 - 3:01 PM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/iStock-925758394.jpg)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/your-patient-statements-may-be-delaying-patient-payment) Paying for medical bills is a straightforward process, right? Although that may be the case when you're a seasoned member of the industry, it isn't an experience that translates to the rest of America. Just 60% of people feel comfortable paying their medical bills. Although the way patients pay their bills has evolved, it hasn't made life any easier for them. In a recent study that examined the consumer payment experience, surprising findings were made. By learning more about them, you can see how Emerald AR Systems could enhance patient communication for you. Topics: [patient communication](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-communication) [Patient Friendly](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-friendly) [medical debt](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/medical-debt) [problem solving](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/problem-solving) [customer service](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/customer-service) [lockbox](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/lockbox) [outsourcing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/outsourcing) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [notices](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/notices) [patient statements](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-statements) [surprisebilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/surprisebilling) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/your-patient-statements-may-be-delaying-patient-payment) ###### 2 min read ## [Flexible Solutions Address the Problem of "Surprise Billing"](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/flexible-solutions-address-the-problem-of-surprise-billing) By [Emerald](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/emerald) on August 21, 2019 - 8:00 AM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/project4_1.jpg)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/flexible-solutions-address-the-problem-of-surprise-billing) Everyone loves surprises, right? Not when they're surprise out-of-network bills, which are more common than we'd like to think. Topics: [problem solving](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/problem-solving) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [patient statements](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-statements) [surprisebilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/surprisebilling) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/flexible-solutions-address-the-problem-of-surprise-billing) ###### 2 min read ## [Working to Stop Surprise Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/working-to-stop-surprise-billing) By [Emerald](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/emerald) on August 8, 2019 - 8:00 AM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/Radiology_Billing_Office-1.jpg)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/working-to-stop-surprise-billing) Surprise medical bills are big business. A recent survey suggests 57% of Americans have [received a medical bill they expected their insurance to cover](http://www.norc.org/NewsEventsPublications/PressReleases/Pages/new-survey-reveals-57-percent-of-americans-have-been-surprised-by-a-medical-bill.aspx). Topics: [patient communication](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-communication) [customer service](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/customer-service) [outsourcing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/outsourcing) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [patient statements](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-statements) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/working-to-stop-surprise-billing) ###### 2 min read ## [Washington Working with Healthcare to Eliminate Surprise Medical Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/washington-working-with-healthcare-to-eliminate-surprise-medical-billing) By [Emerald](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/emerald) on August 2, 2019 - 3:10 PM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/iStock-862718334.jpg)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/washington-working-with-healthcare-to-eliminate-surprise-medical-billing) Surprise medical bills have been the focus of many discussions in Washington over recent months. They refer to services billed when a patient uses out-of-network providers in the following scenarios: Topics: [multi-lingual patient](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/multi-lingual-patient) [patient communication](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-communication) [problem solving](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/problem-solving) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [patient statements](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patient-statements) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/washington-working-with-healthcare-to-eliminate-surprise-medical-billing) ###### 2 min read ## [Automated Processes Transform Healthcare Billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/hospitalrevenue) By [Audrey Cooper](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/audrey-cooper) on May 6, 2019 - 10:00 AM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/web-development.jpg)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/hospitalrevenue) Have you been operating with an understaffed department? Are your 60-120-day buckets getting larger and larger? Do you have way too many manual processes? Were you nodding at any of these questions as you were reading them?  Adding more staff and manual processes are what I characterize as "band-aid" fixes -- great for clean-up projects, but not ideal as permanent solutions to a problem that will continue to rear its ugly head.  Topics: [Revenue](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/revenue) [healthcare debt](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/healthcare-debt) [cfo](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/cfo) [problem solving](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/problem-solving) [billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/billing) [medicaidbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/medicaidbilling) [customer service](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/customer-service) [outsourcing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/outsourcing) [outsource](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/outsource) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [VP Revenue Cycle Management](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/vp-revenue-cycle-management) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/hospitalrevenue) ###### 3 min read ## [3 Reasons Your Patient Notices Are Confusing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/3-reasons-why-your-patient-notices-are-confusing-1) By [Kaylee Gordon Riddle](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/kaylee-gordon-riddle) on April 11, 2019 - 3:06 PM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/iStock_000025568323_Medium-1.jpg)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/3-reasons-why-your-patient-notices-are-confusing-1) A patient notice is one of the most powerful communication tools in healthcare revenue. Without them, the patient wouldn't know how much to or when to pay. Unfortunately, 57% of patients are confused by their billing statements. The result of their confusion leads to payment delays and an increase patient call volume.  Let's be real here.  Billing offices don't have time or the resources to manage more calls and they certainly don't want to wait longer to get paid. Emerald's research team decided to tackle the problem. We worked with industry experts to improve the patient statement. We compared multiple notice templates, analyzed patient calls and other concerns related to the statement.  When we finished our analysis, we narrowed our improvements to three main areas.   Topics: [Community health](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/community-health) [Health Centers](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/health-centers) [Community Health Centers](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/community-health-centers) [Revenue](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/revenue) [medical billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/medical-billing) [Tools](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/tools) [money](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/money) [medicaidbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/medicaidbilling) [customer service](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/customer-service) [outsourcing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/outsourcing) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [notices](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/notices) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/3-reasons-why-your-patient-notices-are-confusing-1) ###### 2 min read ## [Gain by Giving up: What Outsourcing Can Give You for Free](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/gain-by-giving-up-what-outsourcing-can-give-you-for-free) By [Kaylee Gordon Riddle](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/author/kaylee-gordon-riddle) on April 8, 2019 - 4:23 PM [![](https://www.emeraldar.com/hubfs/outsourcing1.jpg)](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/gain-by-giving-up-what-outsourcing-can-give-you-for-free) We all love free things. But when we think of outsourcing, we typically think of letting go of a process or department; we don’t think of gaining anything. Fortunately, by outsourcing your medical billing and collections services with Emerald A/R Systems, your company can gain more than you ever thought, and for free! That’s right, Emerald A/R’s flat free pricing means all the company’s additional services are free. Let’s look at just a few freebies you can get when you outsource your billing and collections. Topics: [Medicaid](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/medicaid) [Health Centers](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/health-centers) [Company](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/company) [FQHC billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/fqhc-billing) [billing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/billing) [medicaidbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/medicaidbilling) [customer service](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/customer-service) [lockbox](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/lockbox) [outsourcing](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/outsourcing) [outsource](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/outsource) [patientbilling](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/patientbilling) [notices](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/topic/notices) [Continue Reading](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/gain-by-giving-up-what-outsourcing-can-give-you-for-free) [All posts](https://www.emeraldar.com/blog/all) ### Featured ### Sign up for updates - [Contact Us](https://www.emeraldar.com/contact-us/) - [Patient Payment Site](https://youraccountcenter.com) - [Client Portal](https://clientportal.emeraldar.com) ###### Contact Us 866-299-8383 [info@emeraldar.com](mailto:info@emeraldar.com) Phoenix, AZ 85012 ©2019 Company Inc. 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