Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Vicky RVN — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:41:30 GMT

That does sound to me what Tina was saying!

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Anneke Kuipers — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:36:52 GMT

I don't know if this is what Tina meant but I just had a good idea regarding regulars and 'pub friends' of the boss..

type a letter saying you change policy and everyone will have to pay when treatment received blah..blah..blah... let the boss sign this, laminate this and keep this in reception so that when they start moaning you can show them this!

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Tina Dawe — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:09:02 GMT

I typed up a letter explaing why credit would no longer be given (i,e. the clients who didn't pay and became bad debts). I printed off copies for the reception desk, waiting room and consult room, he signed all of the copies which were then laminated and put on the wall in each room, apart from reception which we stuck to the counter where the clients stand to receive their medication.

It has worked very well. (Our receptionists have been very good at explaining as well)

Good luck

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:52:34 GMT

[quote user="scotlass"]Would vet refuse treatment?[/quote]

All vets have to provide first aid. That is all.

We dispense all meds after payment has been received.

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Cat Woman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:49:52 GMT

[quote user="scotlass"]What happens if a client refuses to pay? Would vet refuse treatment? I dont think my practice would x[/quote]

If an animal needs a course of antiobiotics & the vet has given it by injection initially, then we will hold the tablets & say that they can pop back in later/tomorrow to collect them. Nobody gets routine stuff like flea/worming without paying. Our practice will also allow clients to set up standing orders for larger amounts. If someone says when they are making the appointment that they have no money, we always advise that there is an RSPCA clinic & PDSA clinic nearby. We ask that they explore this avenue first & get back to us if they do not qualify for charity treatment.

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

paula morgan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:41:21 GMT

What happens if a client refuses to pay? Would vet refuse treatment? I dont think my practice would x

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:15:37 GMT

Having a line on the new client forms stating payment at time of treatment is a good idea. The practices I've worked in have (in theory!) been invoice free, but how much you manage to enforce it can depend on how busy it is, and how persistant your clients are!

Our consent forms all state payment is required at collection, and ask the owner to state how they will be paying at time of collection, so if there are any issues we can say well this was estimated and you agreed to pay by card on collection.

We do have a notice up stating payment at time of treatment, but it seems to be a common thing for clients to try and get away with not paying. Sometimes I can understand i.e. dog is coming in tomorrow morning for an op, but the worst ones are the people who come in to collect meds and think they don't have to pay!

It's a difficult situation to handle sometimes, as when you try to explain to clients why some of them insist on taking offence, and say "well I'm not going to run off without paying the bill" when they are pretty much asking to do exactly that!

In my old practice we were VERY strict about it, and any cases where someone was not able/willing to pay were referred to the practice manager. She didn't always work, so we had to call her mobile number to get it authorised.... it's amazing how many people produce a "forgotten" wallet/purse when you explain you need to call the practice manager at home for approval!

Jenny

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Claire Cameron — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:03:54 GMT

I've never worked anywhere that allows credit everywhere Ive worked has had a polite payment notice on display

where I am currently we have client registration forms where they provide their details for our computer system and it states on it payment at time etc and its signed by them x

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Steph Worsley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:44:48 GMT

hey we used to bill our large animal clients and smallies were pay at the time, you always still got the oh i left my purse at home, always felt like saying would you do that in tesco!!!

Where I am now (referral) we ask for a deposit (normally £750) if they are not insured, all insured clients we claim direct for them and then just get excess's etc paid for by the client, who are billed once the insurance has settled with us.

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Cat Woman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:02:07 GMT

[quote user="Amanda Fleming"]any new clients should be told when booking that payment will be expected at the time [/quote]

We have new client info sheets, which as well as telling people a little bit about the practice & staff, also states our policy of pay as you go!

[quote user="Amanda Fleming"]If you deal with equine i'd probably start with them first as in my experience they are the most likely to run from a bill.[/quote]

Equine clients are a law unto themselves!!

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Amanda Fleming — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:46:40 GMT

Hi,

We have always had signs up in the waiting room for payment at time, all new clients are told they will have to pay at the time and at some places before ops they will ask for a deposit towards fees. Most clients are fine with this although it really does depend on the area your in. You will however always have certain clients that will want to be invoiced which is to the most part fine, they are usually long standing clients who pay monthly anyway. I would first put signs up everywhere in the waitng room to show the new policy, any new clients should be told when booking that payment will be expected at the time and any regulars that come in get the reception staff to explain that due to problems with certain people not paying bills you are changing your policy for payment or send out a letter explaining this. The last thing you want to do is upset the regulars and if you upset the non payers does it really matter? If you deal with equine i'd probably start with them first as in my experience they are the most likely to run from a bill.

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Cat Woman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:09:20 GMT

We have a sign on display in the waiting room & always request payment at the time. Unfortunately, there will always be some who take offence (usually those that aren't good payers anyway - or those that know the boss from the pub!) I usually just say sorry, but a few people have taken advantage when given credit & this has spoilt things for others.

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Heather Christie — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:54:48 GMT

My vets just has big signs up saying that all treatment must be paid for at the time. Perhaps you could blame it on the credit crunch - saying that your own suppliers won't give you extended periods of credit so you therefore can't offer it to clients?

Re: Invoice free? - payment at the time??

Mac Feather — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:28:47 GMT

I think at one practice I worked at the partners put up signs in waiting room requesting payment at the time, did a mail shot too. Just explained the reasons why- so we were able to keep going as a small business and to be able to provide the clients n pets with the service they want etc.

Yes some people took offence as they had 'never had to pay at the time before' but once it was explained they were usually ok about it.