Treatment has to finish first
In most injury cases, the attorney waits until the patient reaches a stable point in treatment before putting a number on the claim. If a patient is still treating, the full cost of care and the long-term picture are not yet known.
Negotiation is rarely quick
After a demand is sent, the other side’s insurer reviews the records and responds. There are often several rounds. Disputes about fault, injury severity and the reasonableness of medical charges can each add time.
If the case is litigated, it takes longer
When a case does not settle, a lawsuit can follow, with discovery, depositions and court schedules. Each step adds time and each is outside the provider’s control.
Why this matters for your practice
Providers cannot predict when a given case will end, and the average hides wide variation. That is why the unpaid balance on a practice’s books can grow for a long stretch. We cover the effect in injury practice cash flow.
What providers can do
- Document care thoroughly and bill consistently
- Stay in regular contact with the attorney on each case
- Track open balances by case and by firm
- Consider receivables funding if the wait is straining the practice
This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Any funding is subject to review and a written agreement.