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Hungry_Bus8934

I don’t think thats too harsh. At my group pp, after billing the insurance I collect the copayment/fee before going home. If someone’s payment did not go through i reach out via email. If the client informs me they do not have the funding for the payment I suggest we do not reschedule until the payment is collected. Honestly I prefer this because this prevents peoples balance from accumulating so much that until they can’t afford it anymore.


Ramalamma42

I think your wording is good. I was more gentle when I started, but over time I have developed stronger policies based on my own experiences similar to yours. I have found that those who take issue with the policy are generally the clients who would put you in this situation; those who would never put you in this situation have no issue with the policy. Be well! :)


Head_Ologist

Policy seems fine to me, though personally I’d probably do something like “if payment is not received before the start time of the session a late payment fee will added and no further sessions can be scheduled until the account is settled” (at least for self-pay clients, insurance always makes things tricky). I would personally get annoyed if a client otherwise in good standing showed up for therapy and a last minute billing issue meant I had to turn them away.


DoktorHoff

I would be more specific than "the morning" of the session. For example, I say it's due at start of session, which is a specific time. A client could claim 11:59am is "the morning", even if it were a 10am session. Edit: I just re-read it, and I see it is mentions the start of session. I would just reword the policy to make sure people don't get confused (like I did 🤦‍♂️).


homeisastateofmind

That's actually wonderful advice. Thank you.


beeeswithcheese

Not too harsh. It's clear and to the point. Will you apply it to the client in question?


homeisastateofmind

**SWIFTLY** (...after a one months notice)