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From solo therapists to group practices, we provide scalable billing solutions for mental health professionals

How To Explain A Balance to a Patient

Updated: Mar 30, 2023


Main Points

  • Be Clear

  • Be Concise

  • Be Constructive

The reality of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) is still setting in. Patients are choosing to pay less in monthly premiums in exchange for HDHPs, but this places more of the financial burdens on the patient when it comes to paying for health care. This strategy is called assuming downside risk. This means that they pay lower premiums but the downside is that they will pay more in health services.

Due to more patients assuming downside risk, providers will have to be clear, concise, and constructive when explaining balances to patients in today's healthcare environment.

Be clear! One way to be as clear as possible is to create a staff script. This will help when patients have concerns about their balance but will also help avoid staff embarrassment when it comes to asking the patient to pay her portion of the bill.

It helps the patient if you or your staff can bring an explanation of benefits or the initial eligibility and benefits check. This will help to show the patient that the practice has done its due diligence in obtaining the correct payment amount.

Be Concise! A long winded explanation of the patient's balance doesn't really help the situation. Communicating their balance in a succinct way, with supporting documentation doesn't leave any doubt in the patient's mind as to what they owe.

If they want more information or a more complicated explanation of their balance, the patient can always call their insurance company for a more detailed explanation of the bill. Remember, the responsibility is on the patient to know what they owe. You and your practice provides the service and should be paid for those services.

Be Constructive! If a patient still has questions about their bill and are refusing to pay there are several things you can do. You can develop a payment plan so that your cash flow doesn't take a big hit.

More importantly, have a credit card on file via your EHR of choice. This is the best strategy to ensuring that you get paid for your services before the patient leaves your office. The other way to be constructive is to develop multiple avenues for patients to pay. Point-of-care payment systems help to facilitate constructive payment.

It is important for your patients to pay their allotted amount even if the bill is large.

Be confident and clear and it will help your practice to thrive!

4 Comments


KrainFow
KrainFow
Sep 02, 2025

Exploring the idea of balance really resonates with me because I’ve noticed how much lighter life feels when I eliminate unnecessary routines. One example is choosing electrolysis hair removal instead of endless shaving or waxing. Having a permanent solution frees mental space and gives more time for the things that actually matter. For me, that’s one of the most practical ways to create harmony between inner calm and outer confidence. Professional services at Nios Spa make the process safe and effective, so self-care becomes less about stress and more about stability, balance, and long-term comfort.

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Jack Rose
Jack Rose
Jul 23, 2025

I really enjoyed reading this post! The explanation of how balancing aesthetic treatments can enhance overall self-confidence was very insightful. It made me think about how services like Kybella at Med Spa Tysons could be the perfect fit for anyone looking to refine their profile and achieve their aesthetic goals. Click is all it takes to learn more about these non-invasive treatments and their benefits. It's amazing how targeted procedures like Kybella can help remove stubborn fat under the chin, giving you a more defined and youthful appearance. Definitely something worth exploring for anyone considering such treatments!

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Emma Jameson
Emma Jameson
Jul 17, 2025

I found the article on ExplainABalance to be incredibly insightful, especially in terms of understanding the balance between technology and personalized care for senior citizens. It made me realize how crucial it is to integrate modern solutions with traditional caregiving practices. As someone who's always looking for better ways to improve senior care, it’s refreshing to know that advancements like these are making a real difference. For those interested in exploring how technology can enhance elderly care, check out click me for more on how senior care homes are adopting such innovations. It's certainly a game changer!

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Riva Manella
Riva Manella
May 19, 2025

That breakdown of balance really hit home. I’ve always underestimated how much the body and mind are tied together until stress started throwing everything off—sleep, posture, even mood. One of the best things I did was try therapeutic treatment at a clinic I trust. It gave me a chance to reset physically and mentally. You don’t realize how much tension you carry until someone helps you let it go. This post nails why alignment isn’t just physical—it’s part of your whole state of being.

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