Kris Kilgore, RN, administrative director of Grand Rapids-based Surgical Center of Michigan, discusses key payer trends in the market and how her center is responding.
Question: How is your center dealing with the trend of higher deductibles and increased patient responsibility?
Kris Kilgore: We now have assigned one staff member from our accounts receivable department to send a letter two weeks prior to surgery to collect co-pays and deductibles, with a follow-up call three days before surgery if it is not collected after the letter.
Q: As payers consolidate, and make acquisitions of healthcare providers, where do you see ASCs having the biggest opportunity to succeed?
KK: We are trying to have a mix of payers that include private insurances. We are also looking at our case mix and trying to do some more self-pay procedures.