Medical Coder & Biller Certification (MCBC) Practice Exam

The most common reason an account becomes uncollectible is that the patient cannot pay the bill. When patients face financial hardship, their ability to settle medical debts significantly decreases, leading to accounts being written off as uncollectible. Financial challenges may stem from various factors such as unemployment, lack of insurance, or overwhelming medical expenses, which can create a situation where payment is simply not feasible.

While relocation, refusal to pay, and even death can certainly complicate collections and lead to accounts being uncollectible, the inability to pay is a more pervasive issue affecting a larger number of accounts. Patients in financial distress may wish to pay their bills but lack the necessary resources, ultimately making this scenario the most common reason for such accounts becoming uncollectible.