I don't think amounts that are on a payment plan would qualify as "bad debt" though - if someone is paying as agreed on a payment plan the debt isn't uncollectible.
> And as sudden operational cost pressures (including nursing shortages and higher wages) frustrate hospital financial leaders, an inability to collect all expected revenue further challenges razor-thin operating margins.
> This increase creates new challenges for providers to collect higher balances that are more difficult for patients to pay either prior to services or during the typical 120-day collection window after the insurance balance has been resolved.
I think they are being intentionally vague here. Are they saying they're having trouble collecting the money within the 120-day window (so their quarterly reports aren't screwed), or ever? I feel like they want you to believe that it is the latter, when in fact it is the former.
The linked report states:
> And as sudden operational cost pressures (including nursing shortages and higher wages) frustrate hospital financial leaders, an inability to collect all expected revenue further challenges razor-thin operating margins.
> This increase creates new challenges for providers to collect higher balances that are more difficult for patients to pay either prior to services or during the typical 120-day collection window after the insurance balance has been resolved.
I think they are being intentionally vague here. Are they saying they're having trouble collecting the money within the 120-day window (so their quarterly reports aren't screwed), or ever? I feel like they want you to believe that it is the latter, when in fact it is the former.