How to note a self-pay patient

[topnoch]

Situation
What is the preferred method to record a self-pay patient when entering a patient?
Should you select ‘Undefined’ under the insurance option?

OpenEMR Version
I’m using OpenEMR version 7.0.2

Browser:
I’m using: firefox

Operating System
I’m using: web browser

Search
Did you search the forum for similar questions?
yes

Logs
Did you check the logs?
Was there anything pertinent in them?
Please paste them here (surround with three backticks (```) for readability.
You can also turn on User Debugging under Administration->Globals->Logging User Debugging Options=>All

[htuck (htuck@mi-squared.com)]

Hello @topnoch -
If the pt truly has no insurance, yes you’re right, you’d want to set the ‘Primary Insurance Provider’ dropdown to ‘Unassigned’ in the patient Insurance information just to prevent random info-accidents.

Once the patient record is created and the patient comes in for an appointment, payment can be accepted, usually as their last stop leaving the appointment. But even insured patients can self-pay for services if they choose. Payments are accepted in both the ‘Payment’ and the ‘Checkout’ features.

‘Payments’ (oval below) found in the Main Menu ‘Fees’ item, is designed to take payments on the pt’s account. It opens ready to accept an insurance payment and by default assumes it’s going to be the co-pay (arrows)

However if you change ‘Insurance’ to ‘Self’ the display changes and the payment will be applied to the encounter balance.

The ‘Fees/ Checkout’ screen, on the other hand, is built to take payment on the current encounter balance. Insurance payment is not one of the options in the Checkout module.

Hope that’s helpful- Harley

[topnoch]

Hi Harley,
That was more than helpful. Thank you very much, that answered everything & more.
Take Care.