WELL STATES HEALTHCARE
Liens are not a common method of payment for medical treatment for several reasons. They are used mostly by individuals without insurance, that have sub-par insurance, or that are otherwise low-income individuals that can’t afford to pay for their full treatment. These liens are generally risky to take on as patients under a medical lien, particularly those undergoing personal injury litigation, are not guaranteed to be able to pay them back. Litigation can fail, and injuries, even after adequate treatment, can result in an inability to resume work. It may take years for a lien to be repaid, if it is at all. Further the amount of a lien can be reduced in the litigation process, resulting in less payment for a medical practice.
The primary medical lien providers in the United States are hospitals and other healthcare providers. When a healthcare provider puts a lien on medical treatment, they shoulder all of these risks. But they don’t have to. Well States can help healthcare providers avoid these risks by contributing a third party lien for uninsured patients.
When an uninsured patient is in the middle of seeking a personal injury settlement, the risk of that settlement failing can be too much for healthcare providers to offer a lien. If the settlement fails, it can result in delayed payment of the lien or in the patient defaulting on the lien entirely. When the lien is held by a third party like Well States, payment for the treatment happens fast and in full. That means no waiting for payment or installments, no risk of defaulting, and no worrying about whether a settlement works out or not. Well States Shoulders all the risk.
Another important risk to take note of is conflict of interest. When a healthcare provider holds a lien on treatment, it can create a conflict of interest where the quality of treatment may be impacted by the expectation—or lack thereof—of payment made in fulfillment of the lien. Additionally, a conflict of interest may exist if a healthcare provider is requested to provide a lien for both a claimant and defendant in a personal injury settlement. However, when the lien is held by a third party, and a healthcare provider is paid up front, it also removes conflict of interest in the treatment process.
These benefits do come at a small price, if it can even be considered a price. Well States only provides liens to cover treatment with partnered healthcare providers. Well States makes agreements with providers before clients request a lien so there is less hassle when payment is required. Joining Well States provider network is simple and safe. Not only does joining our provider network remove the risks of provider held liens, but it also creates more opportunities for patient treatment with guaranteed billing coverage as Well States refers patients to your practice.
To join the Well States provider network, call us at 855.FOR.WSHC (367-9742) or visit our website at wshcgroup.com. It’s the smarter, safer choice.