Collection & Credit Insights
April 2003
Volume 12.4
EVERYDAY PEOPLE
My parents had hired a young couple to stand watch over us teenagers
while they took a much-needed vacation. Sam a burly, motorcycling collegiate
football player and his young Ali McGraw look a like wife, Cheryl. They
moved into our house for the greatest two weeks, one fin summer, to keep
an eye on my wild sisters and I.
One day, Sam took me for a thrilling motorcycle ride on his big Honda
and left an indelible mark that still remains. I idolized Sam. A football
player with a promising professional football career in his future, movie
star like wife and he treated me like a little brother. I prayed my parents
would be marooned on a tiny island for at least a year. In retrospect,
they probably were praying for the same.
Last week, I had a couple of conversations with a successful and affable
mortgage company executive. Just as we were finishing up a transaction,
I asked the gent if he ever went to EMU and played football. What a shock,
it was Sam! He was suprised as I was that each would remember after all
this time. His recollection was crystal-clear of the time oh so many years
ago. He asked how my wild sisters and parents were and that he had thought
of my parents many times over the years and was curious what ever happened
to them. We spent a delightful long time conversing; it tkaes a while
to catch up on thirty-some years.
What was most surprising, Sam explained that my father had inspired him
to pursue a career in the financial sector and was very fortunate to have
done so. While my father is quite an admirable man, how could he have
such an effect on Sam, the luckiest guy in the galaxy? After all, he is
just an everyday person.
In these times where the media incessantly bombards us with sport, music
and political celebrity adulation, it seems fame and popularity rule this
ugly little box we call television. Inspiration can come from many sources.
For me, it was Sam Saleh, the gentle bear of a man with a motorcycle,
a beautiful wife and a bright future. A real and everyday person who came
to stay for a short time but left an impression that lasted a lifetime.
For Sam, it was my father, a successful entrepreneur.
Looking for inspiration? Don't look too far, you can find it in everyday
people.
R. J. (Bob) Barden
President
Our Offices
Adrian Credit Bureau
(517) 265-8161
Ann Arbor Credit Bureau
(734) 665-6173
(800) 710-4821
Jackson Credit Bureau
(517) 787-5333
(877) 787-6273
Upcoming Events
Recovery Skills Seminar
May 2, 2003
Michigan Dental Association
Grand Rapids
May 14-17, 2003
Towing Rodeo
August 7-9, 2003
Welcome to Our New Clients
- Adair & Shamley Tool Sales, Inc
- Mercy Healthcare at Home
- Pioneer Transmissions
- Stoney Creek Equine
- Louis Tsui
- New Release Video
- Integrity Counseling
- Jerry's Towing
- Steve's Auto Parts
- Nelson's Towing
- The Association Internal Medicine Specialists
People don't care how much you know,
until they know how much you...
collect
High Payment of the Month
The high payment “atta girl” goes to Kori in our Adrian office
for collecting $6,953.72 for a local hospital.
Quotations Board
I am certain that, however great the hardships and the trials which
loom ahead, our America will endure and the cause of human freedom will
triumph.
- Cordell Hull
Survey Shows Slow Industry Movement Toward HIPAA Compliance
According to a recent survey by Phoenix Health Systems and the Healthcare
Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Progress toward Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) privacy and transaction
compliance is progressing slowly.
The survey, conducted in October 2002, reveals the following trends:
• The healthcare industry is moving slowly toward achieving compliance.
Survey results showed little progress since a similar survey conducted
in early July, with fewer than 50 percent of respondents having completed
their HIPAA gap assessments. Only 5 percent of providers and payers had
actually completed privacy and transaction remediation.
• Major roadblocks to HIPAA compliance include “interpretation
of the regulations” and “not enough time.” Cost concerns,
issues of state preemption and a lack of industry “best practices”
were also frequently cited.
• Over 80 percent of all respondents applied for the transaction
deadline extension from October 2002 to October 2003.
• Covered entities are focusing mainly on privacy and transaction
compliance. Security initiatives are moving more slowly, despite privacy
rule mandates for strong security measures to protect confidentiality.
• Across the industry, HIPAA budgets are generally higher for 2003
than for 2002. Twenty-five
percent of large hospitals have allocated between $100,000 and $250,000
toward HIPAA compliance this year. To read the complete survey report
visit www.himss.org.
Pulse, ACA International's Healthcare Services Program, Jan, 2003
Recovery Skills Seminar
May 2, 2003, 8:30am - 12:30pm
Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor (734) 769-9800
• Re-examining and re-organizing your in-house office policies and
procedures.
• Collection laws. What governs you when you work your accounts.
• How to make your collectors more efficient and effective in their
collections.
• Discussion on issues and cases which affect specific collection
problems.
• What's involved when your account goes to third-party collection
litigation.
• Time is reserved for your special and unique questions to be answered
by collection professionals and legal council.
Fast seminar facts:
• $75 per person
• Workbook/instructional manual with collection laws included.
• To register-Call us at 800-710-4821 for more information.
The Annual Routine
It's that time again! Our annual visit to the
Michigan Dental Association Meeting. Like my semi-annual dental visit
it has become part of the yearly schedule.
Like the visit to the dentist, I realize that our participation at the
MDA is necessary to attain a long term goal. Although it is part of the
yearly “routine”, when it is all said and done it becomes a
memorable experience. Why? Because along the way we have made friends.
The MDA is a place to meet new people, trade stories, but best of all
a chance to see our clients/friends and say THANKS!
So, even though the long hours can be grueling like the dental visit-in
the end both will make me want to SMILE!
Please visit our booth during the show!
Tina S. Walther
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