Balance billing, write-offs, routine waivers, “insurance-only” policies, financial hardship discounts, and professional courtesy can quickly turn into a legal and compliance minefield—especially when you’re dealing with out-of-network situations. What feels like a reasonable, everyday billing decision can unintentionally trigger violations, invite audits, require repayment of prior reimbursements, and expose your practice to serious penalties.

Adding to the risk: billing laws and payer rules keep changing, and many states now restrict when you can collect certain amounts from patients versus the health plan. CMS and private payer auditors are also increasingly focused on discounts, waivers, write-offs, and out-of-network billing behavior—making “we didn’t know” an expensive defense.

In this 60-minute, practical training, attorney  Amanda Waesch, Esq. will break down the most common balance billing and discount-related missteps that put practices at risk—and the specific policies, documentation, and staff workflows that help keep you compliant.

What you’ll learn

·        How to handle out-of-network balances and write-offs in a compliant way

·        When (and how) co-pays/deductibles can be adjusted—and when they can’t

·        The difference between professional courtesy, financial hardship, and insurance-only policies

·        Why routine waivers and write-offs can create fraud/abuse exposure—and how to avoid it

·        How to implement internal controls to monitor write-offs, bad debt, and discounting patterns

·        How to train staff on discount “do’s and don’ts” to reduce compliance risk

·        The types of penalties and enforcement actions that can result from improper balance billing

Benefits of attending

·        Reduce the risk of audits, recoupments, and payer disputes

·        Build a clear, defensible policy for write-offs, waivers, and discounts

·        Align billing practices with applicable federal and state requirements

·        Leave with actionable steps you can apply immediately to protect your practice

Don’t take chances with high-risk billing decisions. Join this must-attend session to strengthen your compliance posture and avoid costly mistakes.