Should we accept a LIEN

Hello,

We have a patient who was seen and treated under commercial insurance. The insurance paid their portion. The coinsurance remaining has been in patient AR over 120 days. This balance is ready to go to collections. However, we have just received a request from patient's attorney requesting to not send the patient to collections and accept a LIEN from them.

Our question....is the doctor obligated to set up this LIEN or can we continue to attempt to collect balance from patient and if no response, eventually be turned over to collections?

Can someone please advise.

Thank you.

is it worth it?

You said the attorney "requested"- sounds like they are asking; I guess you have to ask yourself what would happen if you say "no" and they go to collections. If they file for bankruptcy then you get zero. If you take the lien you may have a chance to get something.
I have written off many balances instead of sending patients to collections and sent the patient a note telling them that I understand health care is expensive and the economy sucks so as a gesture of compassion I am writing off the balance. Sometimes doing something nice just plain feels good.

Writing off uncollectable balances

That's very nice of you. Not many physicians can or would do this. I always like writing off balances as well. It makes me feel great to be able to help someone.