Dental malpractice risk management : Be Cautious About Collection Actions
In an ideal world, every patient would pay his or her bill, in full, at the end of each appointment. In the real world of dentistry, however, some accounts go unpaid for a variety of reasons. Efforts to obtain outstanding receivables may result in disputes that destroy the dentist-patient relationship, especially if the dentist has forwarded the patient’s account for collection action. The collection action may involve the use of a collection agency or, in extreme cases, taking the patient to court. You have a legal right to pursue collection action for outstanding debts. However, it is prudent to weigh the potential risks and benefits before proceeding. When considering a collection action, be aware that many professional liability claims begin as retaliation against a dentist’s attempts to recover a patient’s debt. Often, a patient who was otherwise satisfied with his or her dental experience becomes angered by a collection action and then alleges malpractice on the p