Getting Credit Grades

1. If two parents are going to split responsibility for treatment payment should you grade both parents?
2. Which Parent Should I Grade?
3. What information do I need to collect to use ZACC?
4. Do I have to tell a patient when we check their credit?
5. What information do I need to collect to use ZACC?
6. How often should we grade a person?
7. Will ZACC Show Up on the Credit Report or Impact Patient’s Credit Score?
8. Do I need a social security number?
9. Do I need to know if the billing party owns or rents a home?
10. Why don't you use FICO scores?
11. Can you see and print the actual credit report from ZACC? this is something our office needs to have and printed. please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you

1. Rating: +0

   

   If two parents are going to split responsibility for treatment payment should you grade both parents?

   Zuelke & Associates clients are taught never to split a financial arrangement on a divorce case. The primary custodial parent is always considered the responsible party and the entire financial arrangement is made with that person. Even with cases of true 50/50 custody it is suggested that practices never split a financial arrangement. The parent bringing the child in for the exam is declared to be the responsible party. Therefore, the credit decision is made on the single person the practice is holding accountable for payment.
   However, if a practice is chooses to split a financial agreement between two divorced spouses, they should get a credit grade on both parties.
   IMPORTANT NOTE: Practices may not obtain a credit grade on a non- custodial spouse without direct permission.

2. Rating: +0

   

   Which Parent Should I Grade?

   The primary wage-earner is the only person to be rated in a marital situation. However, you may not rate a step parent without that persons direct permission and you may not ever rate a non custodial parent without direct permission.

3. Rating: +0

   

   What information do I need to collect to use ZACC?

   The following information should be collected on the new patient history form (for an example of a form you could use download the example form on our website under “Product” and then “Downloads”):
   Full Name
   Social Security Number (desired but NOT required)
   Birth Date
   Address
   Years at Current Address (if less than 3 years at current address collect previous address)
   Rent/Own home
   Years at Current Employer
   Occupation (Professional/Executive, Sales/Administrative, Trade/Technical, Military Officer, Military Enlisted)
   Source of Income (Employed, Unemployment Compensation, Retired, None)

4. Rating: +0

   

   Do I have to tell a patient when we check their credit?

   In Vermont and New York, unlike most states, there is a legal requirement to have a signature from the responsible party authorizing you to obtain a credit report before you use ZACC to obtain a credit grade. Even if this were not a legal requirement, we believe it is appropriate that each of your patients or responsible parties be formally notified you are going to be obtaining a credit report.
   For suggested language — see the bottom of the new patient history form available on our websites under “Product” and then “Downloads.”
   PRACTICE USERS AGREE THAT THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THIS LAW WHEN THEY CLICK “SAVE AND GRADE.”

5. Rating: +0

   

   What information do I need to collect to use ZACC?

   The following information should be collected on the new patient history form (for an example of a form you could use download the example form on our website under “Product” and then “Downloads”):
   Full Name
   Social Security Number (desired but NOT required)
   Birth Date
   Address
   Years at Current Address (if less than 3 years at current address collect previous address)
   Rent/Own home
   Years at Current Employer
   Occupation (Professional/Executive, Sales/Administrative, Trade/Technical, Military Officer, Military Enlisted)
   Source of Income (Employed, Unemployment Compensation, Retired, None)

6. Rating: +0

   

   How often should we grade a person?

   1. Anytime the patient is requesting additional treatment, if the existing grade is more than one year old or there has been any change in job, address, or marital status.
   2. Any time the patient becomes 60 days or more past due.

7. Rating: +0

   

   Will ZACC Show Up on the Credit Report or Impact Patient’s Credit Score?

   No.
   ZACC is set-up to pull a ’soft inquiry’ which will not affect a credit score and which in invisible to creditors.
   ZACC can only be seen when a the individual requests their own credit report — on that report it will show up as an inquiry from ACCEPTX/DRSNAME (only the first 8-10 characters of your practice will show up on the report).

8. Rating: +0

   

   Do I need a social security number?

   No. The social security number is desired (it improves the bureau’s ability to get a positive match), but it is NOT required.

9. Rating: +0

   

   Do I need to know if the billing party owns or rents a home?

   Yes, it is part of the algorithm that is used to determine the grade and will impact the final score.

10. Rating: +0

    

    Why don't you use FICO scores?

    FICO was developed to help make a very different decision (how likely is the person to declare bankruptcy). ZACC is the only credit grading system specifically designed to determine repayment of dental/medical fees and to have nearly 30 years of actual data and experience supporting the algorithm used.

11. Rating: +0

    

    Can you see and print the actual credit report from ZACC? this is something our office needs to have and printed. please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you

    Currently, you can not get the full credit report using ZACC, but we can offer your practice the option of accessing full credit reports using an online tool called "TransUnion Direct." These reports would be billed at your current rate just as though they were another ZACC Grade. If you are interested in accessing TransUnion Direct, e-mail or call us and we will get an account set-up for your practice.