When a patient appears to have moved, what is the recommended action?

The recommended action when a patient appears to have moved is to use skip tracing methods to locate them. Skip tracing is a technique used in the medical billing and coding field to find individuals who have changed their address or may be difficult to reach. This process typically involves using available data, such as previous addresses, phone numbers, and other identifying information, to track down patients who have not updated their information in the billing system.

Employing this method is essential for ensuring effective communication regarding outstanding bills or important medical information, which is crucial for both the practice and the patient. It helps maintain the financial integrity of the healthcare organization while also providing continuity of care for the patient, who may need follow-up on ongoing medical treatment or services.

In contrast, simply waiting for the patient to update their information may lead to significant delays in billing and communication. Removing their account from the system could negatively impact the patient's credit and would not resolve the issue of collecting past dues. Contacting family members directly might violate privacy and confidentiality regulations under laws such as HIPAA unless there is explicit consent from the patient. Thus, employing skip tracing methods is the most appropriate and effective approach in this situation.