Accounts Receivable (AR) services are financial services that involve managing and collecting payments owed to a business or organization for goods or services provided. These services focus on ensuring timely payment from customers or clients and optimizing cash flow for the organization.
Here are the
key aspects of accounts receivable services:
1. Invoicing and Billing: AR services include the creation and distribution of invoices to customers or clients. Invoices detail the goods or services provided, the amount owed, payment terms, and instructions for payment. Accurate and timely invoicing is essential for prompt payment.
2. Payment Processing: AR services handle the processing of payments received from customers. This involves recording payments, applying them to the appropriate customer accounts, and updating the organization's financial records. Payment methods can include cash, checks, credit cards, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or online payment portals.
3. Collections and Follow-up: AR services manage the collection process for outstanding invoices. This involves contacting customers with unpaid balances, sending payment reminders, and resolving any payment disputes or issues. The goal is to encourage timely payment and maintain positive customer relationships.
4. Aging and Delinquency Management: AR services monitor and manage the aging of accounts receivable. They track the duration of unpaid invoices and identify delinquent accounts. Strategies may include implementing a collections process, negotiating payment arrangements, or pursuing legal action for severe delinquencies.
5. Account Reconciliation: AR services reconcile customer accounts, ensuring that payments received match the amounts owed. This involves comparing customer payment records with the organization's financial records to identify discrepancies and resolve any issues. Reconciliation helps maintain accurate and up-to-date financial data.
6. Reporting and Analysis: AR services provide regular reports and analysis on the organization's accounts receivable performance. These reports include metrics such as aging reports, collection rates, bad debt ratios, and cash flow forecasts. Analysis helps identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities to optimize the accounts receivable process.
7. Customer Service: AR services handle customer inquiries and concerns related to billing and payments. They provide prompt and professional customer service, assisting customers with questions, clarifying invoice details, and resolving any payment-related issues. Positive customer interactions contribute to customer satisfaction and timely payments.
Outsourcing
accounts receivable services can benefit businesses by streamlining payment
processing, improving collections efficiency, reducing delinquencies, and
enhancing cash flow. It allows organizations to focus on core operations while
leaving the management of accounts receivable to specialized professionals who
can optimize the financial aspects of the business.
Why Outsource AR Services
Today, many medical providers find their medical practice growing in their monthly expenses but are not attaining the same progress in their recurring cash flow.
Unless exact and regular active accounts receivable follow up on the current billings is started, it is common to find a provider with excessive amounts in medical accounts receivable that are greater than 180 days outstanding.
Usually the volume of unpaid claims and the time it takes to research, correct, appeal, and re-file the claims will take much longer than estimated.
A limited number of staff dedicated to this task will not be able to accomplish the goal, which is to extensively reduce/eliminate the outstanding accounts receivable and collect as much money as possible in a short period of time.