When a balance is too big to pay at once, offer a payment plan instead of sending it to collections. The patient accepts online, a card is kept on file, and installments charge themselves.
- Propose a plan from the Collections board (2–12 months, with sensible floors).
- The patient accepts on a secure link and saves a card (Stripe Connect, SETUP mode) — the first installment charges on accept.
- Remaining installments charge automatically each month; declines retry a few times, then park for the desk to handle.
- Every installment records a payment for reconciliation, and the plan’s status is visible on the board.