In terms of patient financial responsibility, what can happen to a balance that exceeds what was due?

When a patient has a balance that exceeds what was due, transferring the balance to a collection agency is a common practice. This action is part of the healthcare provider's efforts to recover unpaid debts after the patient has fallen behind on payments, especially if the outstanding amount has been unresolved for a significant period. Collection agencies specialize in recovering delinquent debts and can apply various methods to obtain payment, which might include contacting the patient, negotiating payment plans, or even reporting to credit bureaus.

While some balances might be forgiven or contested, those scenarios depend on specific circumstances and agreements with the provider, which are less common. Disregarding the balance is not a standard practice, as healthcare providers typically seek to address any outstanding payments to maintain financial viability. Hence, the process of transferring overdue balances to a collection agency stands as a vital step in managing patient financial responsibility effectively.