Introduction
Healthcare practices across the United States are dealing with a significant change in how patients pay for care. Aside from those covered by Medicare or Medicaid, most individuals now have plans with large deductibles or pay for services themselves. This shift has made revenue collection more challenging than ever. The key question for practice administrators is no longer whether to collect payment upfront at the time of service, but how to collect more upfront using methods that deliver real and reliable results.
The Hidden Cost of Delayed Collections
Traditional billing is causing serious revenue losses for many healthcare practices. On average, self-pay patients pay less than ten percent of their total bill. This low figure should raise concern for anyone responsible for managing accounts receivable.
Consider a typical example. A patient receives a procedure that costs $2,000. If the patient is in the self-pay category, the practice might collect only $200. That leaves $1,800 unpaid. Recovering this amount is often difficult. It can result in bad debt, extra collection costs, and added administrative work. In many cases, the effort and expense can exceed the value of the original service.
The situation worsens when looking at how long it takes to collect payments. Traditional billing cycles often stretch beyond 90 days, putting pressure on cash flow. This delay can force practices to depend on loans or postpone important expenses like equipment upgrades and staffing.
Primrose's Pre-Service Collection Architecture
Primrose sends reminders prompting patients to complete their check-in online and allows payments to be collected during that process. This helps practices collect more upfront by shifting the payment timeline from after the visit to before the service takes place. While the change may seem small, it has a major impact on practice finances. The system uses several touchpoints to help secure payments ahead of time. During check-in, patients can view their balance, reducing the chance of surprise charges that often lead to delays or disputes.
For practices using Primrose’s Premium plan, collection efforts go beyond digital tools. The patient call team handles questions about balances and statements, and collects copays and deductibles over the phone as part of the check-in process. This multi-channel approach helps make sure every opportunity to collect payment is used.
Digital Payment Infrastructure
Modern patients expect digital payment options. Patients have a code that they can enter on our payment portal to make a payment online, providing 24/7 payment accessibility that aligns with consumer behavior patterns. This convenience helps practices collect more upfront by meeting patients where they are. 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.
Financial Impact Analysis: Before and After Implementation
The revenue impact of effective upfront collection strategies extends beyond simple payment acceleration. Research demonstrates that an increase of 60% in collections when the price is offered upfront with no additional surprises.
Cash Flow Transformation
Practices that adopt strong upfront collection strategies often see major improvements in managing their cash flow. Rather than waiting 60 to 90 days for patient payments, they receive payment before or right after the service is provided. This faster timeline reduces the need to rely on financing to cover daily expenses during long collection cycles.
Administrative Cost Reduction
Every dollar collected upfront eliminates future collection activities. Practices report significant reductions in:
- Statement generation and mailing costs
- Collection call center expenses
- Third-party collection agency fees
- Bad debt write-off losses
- Administrative staff time devoted to follow-up activities
Patient Satisfaction Correlation
Consolidating billing and collecting payments upfront can improve a patient’s experience by clarifying their responsibilities. This clarity builds trust and gives them peace of mind, knowing they won’t be surprised by a bill later. This transparency reduces patient anxiety and eliminates post-service billing disputes.
Return on Investment Analysis
Primrose offers billing solutions that help healthcare practices reduce claim rejections. It also improves reimbursements and increases revenue. There are no upfront fees, making it easier for practices to get started. With no setup costs, practices can begin using the system without financial strain. Many see faster improvements in cash flow right away.
The financial benefits add up quickly. Payments come in faster. Administrative costs go down. Losses from unpaid bills are reduced. Daily operations become more efficient. Most practices report a positive return on investment within the first few months.
Conclusion
The question “Can Primrose help us collect more upfront?” has a clear answer—yes, and the results speak for themselves. Practices that adopt strong upfront collection strategies see noticeable gains in cash flow, smoother operations, and better patient experiences. As healthcare becomes more consumer-focused, offering clear pricing and collecting payments early can help build trust and keep patients coming back.These improvements not only protect revenue but also speed up payment timelines.
For today’s healthcare practices, collecting payments upfront is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. Primrose gives you the tools, guidance, and support to make it happen, all while keeping patient care at the center.