Debt Prevention

In the complex world of long-term care, financial sustainability can be a significant challenge, especially in an environment in which many patients can neither afford their care nor discharge safely.  Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and group homes often find themselves facing millions of dollars in unpaid bills—commonly referred to as “bad debt.”  This is where TKWhite can make all the difference.

There isn’t a title by which this area of law is commonly referred, because it is an area of law that TKWhite spearheaded.  TKWhite aligns with the increasingly common belief that the term “Elderly” can hold negative connotations, so labeling this practice “Elder Law” seemed insensitive and was out of the question.  When we speak of Debt Prevention, then, we are not referring to bailing consumers out of debt, but to standing on the battle ground with long-term care organizations to prevent bad debt from arising in the first place.

TKWhite is dedicated to helping long-term care organizations (LTC organizations) resolve bad debt issues by assisting their patients qualify for the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS), a process that is widely regarded as complex, challenging, and time-consuming.   Nearly 80 percent of first-time ALTCS applicants are denied eligibility.  This creates a landscape in which skilled nursing facilities should think twice before taking on this process alone.  Through a strategic legal approach, TKWhite stands with patients and LTC Organizations alike to navigate this complicated process.

A Partnership That Benefits Both Facilities and Residents

Long-term care organizations face unique financial challenges when residents cannot pay for their care. This situation can lead to substantial bad debt that affects both the facility’s cash flow and its ability to provide high-quality care. By partnering with TKW early in the admissions process, facilities can avoid these problems and help their residents gain access to the care they need.

We understand the nuances of the long-term care industry and the importance of preventing bad debt before it accrues. As a trusted advocate for both patients and facilities, we offer a proactive, solution-oriented approach that helps residents qualify for ALTCS while also keeping in mind just how important it is for facilities to get fair compensation for the important services they provide.

The Benefits of Early Legal Involvement for Debt Prevention 

TKW understands that in many cases, long-term care organizations must begin thinking about a resident’s discharge plan immediately upon admission.   We know that as counterintuitive as this may sound, failing to plan early amounts to planning to fail – Fail to get fair and full compensation for care rendered.  With limited hands on deck, though, many facilities and communities wait until a resident is nearly out of coverage, whether through private pay, private insurance, or Medicare, consider what it might take for that resident to qualify for coverage through ALTCS, but by then, it may be too late.

The earlier TKW can work with long-term care residents, the better equipped we are to make sure that both their care needs and the facility’s financial needs are met.  By addressing potential eligibility issues up front, we can help avoid coverage gaps, outright denials, and costly legal battles with ALTCS down the road.

TKW works closely with long-term care providers to create a customized strategy that addresses not only the immediate needs of our clients, but also the financial health of long-term care organizations.  These twin goals do not have to be mutually exclusive, as quick and efficient ALTCS approvals are the surest way in which Arizona skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities can avoid gaps in coverage.  With TKW’s help, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living commnities can prevent bad debt, avoid unnecessary write-offs, and ensure that patients are placed in the appropriate care setting without risk of discharge or financial instability.

Proven Success in the Long-Term Care Industry

With years of experience working with Arizona skilled nursing facilities and Arizona assisted living communities, TKW has a hard-earned understanding of the challenges these organizations face.  Prior to founding TKWhite, Tyler and Kelly traveled the state to visit the vast majority of skilled nursing facilities.  They took the time and effort to meet with industry leaders, get to know them personally, and establish trusted partnerships with dozens of Arizona’s most respected long-term care facilities.  With the help of our founders, long-term care organizations have both prevented innumerable amounts of bad debt from accruing and secured retroactive reimbursements for previously given care.  Tyler and Kelly may have worked at a larger firm, but they relied only on their own planning to help facilities recoup more than $1 million in reimbursements through ALTCS appeals, undue hardship requests, and transfer-penalty rebuttals.

As a board member of the Arizona Health Care Foundation, Tyler is actively involved in initiatives that support the long-term care industry.  He was also the only business affiliate selected to participate in the Arizona Health Care Association’s (AHCA) annual leadership course, which has allowed him to deepen his understanding of the issues facing Arizona’s long-term care providers. This unique perspective—combined with countless hours spent working directly with Arizona’s long-term care residents and training industry leaders—makes TKW a trusted partner for facilities across the state.

Your Partner in Debt Prevention

When long-term care organizations team up with TKWhite, they gain dedicated advocates who understand both the legal and operational challenges of long-term care.  TKW aims to reduce bad debt, enhance financial stability within the long-term care industry, and—most importantly—make sure that our clients receive the care they deserve.  By working together, we can create a sustainable solution for both your facility and your residents, ultimately leading to better care outcomes and fewer financial burdens.  Through these alliances, TKW and LTC Organizations can do more than help the bottom-line on a P&L, we can serve Arizona’s most vulnerable population—the very folks for whom we entered this industry—by helping them qualify to have ALTCS pay for their long-term care without first bringing them to financial ruin.

If you belong to Arizona’s long-term care industry, there is no doubt that reducing bad debt and improving patient care are always top-of-mind.  Contact TKW to see what free services we offer to help Arizona skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and even group homes, tackle these issues.  You may visit with an outreach member or a lawyer to assess your processes and improve your outcomes.  TKW never charges a dime unless a fee agreement is first signed, so meeting with your team, visiting with your residents, and/or giving educational trainings to your team are routinely and freely offered – All one must do is ask.