MedLook Weekly Tip For 11/11/2006

The Open Charges Patient sub-folder, along with the Open Accounts sub-folder, quickly lists some very important information regarding the accounts finances.  Open Charges lists all patient accounts that have open charges showing the basic patient information plus the balance, primary and secondary insurance due, patient due, and other due along with any possible account balance errors.  While an account may actually be closed (zero balance) it would still be possible to have open charges because the payments may not have been assigned to the individual charges.  This report inspects individual charges only (not payments) giving totals per patient.  As with the other reports the footer contains totals for all financial columns.

Below is a view of Open Charges. 

The Open Accounts, shown below, differs from Open Charges, in that it looks at account totals (charges & debits minus payments and credits).  Patients appearing in Open Charges will not necessarily appear in the Open Accounts list.  Furthermore, if you have an account that has been overpaid it will appear in this list.  The view shows basic patient information along with the balance, total charges, and total payments.  It does not differentiate based upon guarantor.

These sub-folders can be very helpful in determining your financial health, identifying problem accounts and problems in accounts, and more.

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