What are three methods of collecting insurance payments?

Three methods for collecting payments: 1. Patient pays in full and fi les an insurance claim. Some medical offices require patients to pay the full amount of their bill at the time of the visit. These offices provide the patient with an encounter form that includes the information required in order to fi le a claim with an insurance plan. 2. Patient pays, but the medical office fi les the claim form. Some medical offices file claims for patients. In this case, the patient may be required to pay at the time of the visit, and the insurance plan reimburses the patient. This idea is gaining in popularity because billing errors are reduced, and physicians may be paid sooner for their services. 3. Insurance plan pays medical office; the patient pays remainder. Most medical offices fi le the insurance claims, accepting "assignment of benefits" for at least some of the insurance plans. Payment is then sent directly to the doctor. When the insurance check arrives, the patient is responsible for any portion not covered by the insurance plan.