/n an effort to help you maximize all your services. Dr. Daniel Dahan has identified 7 departmental areas in your practice, which need to he addressed. Each of these areas is being dealt with sequentially in The American Chiropractor. By following the suggestions given, your office will not only maximize its potential, but also delineate areas of weakness that need your attention. ► We have created this section especially for those of you who love to get great information fast! We know that you're on a busy schedule, and to keep you up to date on the latest information, we've created this section for you in a Cliff Notes style, so that you can get it ALL, from practice management to pediatrics, at a glance! /. Front Office/ Reception 2. Treatment Protocol 3. Billing Department 4. Collection Department 5. Marketing Department 6. Business Department 7. Compliance Department/Issues 4. The Collection Department: Where it counts! The Bottom Line: Every doctor knows that, even with the most accurate and appropriate billing codes, it is in the collection department where the final decisions are made. Irrespective of the volume of patients or the type of care rendered, regardless of the location or type of marketing, the monthly collections show the "bottom line" of an office. Consistency and Organization: The collection department requires constant attention and detail-orientated information. Data must be gathered consistently and in an organized fashion. The information must be logged in by patient account and followed up regularly and consistently. A good col- lector needs to be aggressive, but understanding, direct, professional, determined and. especially, focused. Break It Down: Account audits need to be done weekly and broken down by alphabets (Part I: A-F; Part II: G-M, etc.) Each week you should be concentrating on a separate section, to insure a comprehensive and thorough knowledge ofwhere the money is. The collection department needs to be evaluated by its total efforts; goals need to be set up weekly, monthly, and quarterly. Bonuses are a must and should be clearly spelled out. Remember, the "best doctor/office" in the world cannot keep its doors open, unless money keeps coming in. EZS Dr. Daniel H. Dalian is the founder ami CEO of Practice Per/eel, one of the nation 's largest management anil consulting firms for niultiilisciplinarv centers, for more information, call X66 67-DAHAN. (M6) 673-2426 (Toll Free tt). email ilahandt ilahan.com or visit www.iiahan.com.
