Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the six months ended June 30, 2017 (amounts in thousands):

Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	29,036
Additions	5,044
Deductions	(8,060		)
Balance as of June 30, 2017	$	26,020

The allowance for uncollectible accounts decreased from 18.9% of patient accounts receivable to 16.6% over the six months ended June 30, 2017. This was due to a reduction in provision of bad debts due to more timely cash collections and an increase in amounts collected. The maturity of the Company's back office and field operations, the use of the point-of-care platform, and the use of other technology advancements in reporting and analytics were the drivers of improved collections. In addition, the Company's patient accounts receivable over 180 days decreased significantly during the six months ended June 30, 2017, which reduced days sales outstanding from 49 to 46.