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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]  
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
NOTE 4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
We recognize revenue and accounts receivable in accordance with SEC staff accounting bulletin, Topic 13, “Revenue Recognition”, which requires persuasive evidence that a sales arrangement exists; the fee is fixed or determinable; and collection is reasonably assured before revenue is recognized. We manage certain spine injury diagnostic centers where we engage healthcare providers as our independent contractors to perform medical services for patients. We pay the healthcare providers a fixed rate for medical services performed. The patients are billed based on Current Procedural Terminology (“CPT”) codes for the medical procedure performed. CPT codes are numbers assigned to every task and service a medical practitioner may provide to a patient including medical, surgical and diagnostic services. CPT codes are developed, maintained and copyrighted by the American Medical Association. Patients are billed at the normal billing amount, based on national averages, for a particular CPT code procedure. We take control of the patients’ unpaid bills.
 
Revenue and corresponding accounts receivable are recognized by reference to “net revenue” and “accounts receivable, net” which is defined as gross amounts billed using CPT codes less account discounts that are expected to result when individual cases are ultimately settled. A discount rate of 52% and 50%, based on settled patient cases, was used to reduce revenue to 48% and 50% of CPT code billings (“gross revenue”) during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
The patients who receive medical services at the diagnostic centers are typically plaintiffs in accident lawsuits. The timing of collection of receivables is dependent on the timing of a settlement or judgment of each individual case associated with these patients. Historical experience, through 2012, demonstrated that the collection period for individual cases may extend for two years or more. Accordingly, we have classified receivables as current or long term based on our experience, which currently indicates that 49% of cases will be subject to a settlement or judgment within one year of a medical procedure.
 
We take the following steps to establish an arrangement between all parties and facilitate collection upon settlement or final judgment of cases:
 
 
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The patient completed and signed medical and financial paperwork, which included an acknowledgement of the patient’s responsibility of payment for the services provided. Additionally, the paperwork should include an assignment of benefits derived from any settlement or judgment of the patient’s case.
 
 
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The patient’s attorney issued the healthcare provider a Letter of Protection designed to guarantee payment for the medical services provided to the patient from proceeds of any settlement or judgment in the accident case. This Letter of Protection also should preclude any case settlement without providing for payment of the patient’s medical bill.
 
 
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Most of the patients who received medical services at the diagnostic centers have typically been previously referred to a doctor who performed the initial two to four months of conservative treatment. The doctor then typically refers the patient to one of our healthcare providers for an evaluation because of continuing symptoms. Patients are only accepted if the initial referral was from a reputable plaintiff’s attorney with adequate experience in personal injury lawsuits. Before referring a patient, the attorney is expected to have evaluated the patient’s accident case, including the conditions that gave rise to the patient’s injuries and the extent and quality of general liability insurance held by the defendant. The attorney is also responsible for determining that a settlement favorable to the patient/plaintiff is expected.