> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stratapt.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How the Recommended Amount Works

>  Understand how StrataEMR calculates the suggested patient collection amount, why it appears, and how to turn it off for a patient.

## What is the StrataPT Recommended Amount?

When you open a patient's visit or case, StrataEMR may display a suggested dollar amount to collect from the patient at the time of service. This is the **StrataPT Recommended Amount** — an estimate calculated from the patient's verified insurance benefits, including their copay, co-insurance rate, and remaining deductible.

The collection suggestion is a guide, not a guarantee. It reflects what StrataEMR expects the patient will owe based on benefit information on file. The actual amount may differ once the claim is adjudicated and the insurer responds.

## How StrataEMR Calculates the Suggestion

StrataEMR uses the following information to calculate the suggested amount:

* **Copay**: A flat amount defined on the patient's policy, collected every visit.
* **Co-insurance**: A percentage of the allowed amount the patient owes, typically after the deductible is met.
* **Deductible remaining**: The amount the patient still owes toward their annual deductible before co-insurance kicks in.

If a patient has a \$0 copay but a 20% co-insurance with an unmet deductible, StrataEMR will suggest collecting toward the deductible rather than \$0. This is working as expected.

<Note>
  **Note:** Benefit information is pulled from the verification data on file. If benefits were not verified or are outdated, the collection suggestion may be inaccurate. See [Insurance Verification](https://docs.stratapt.com/guides/billing/patient-benefit-verification) to update benefit details.
</Note>

## Why the Suggestion May Look Wrong

There are several common reasons the suggested amount may not match your expectation:

**The patient has a secondary insurance.** When a patient has a Medicaid secondary or another plan that covers the patient's share, the suggestion may still show an amount owed. In most cases, you should not collect from a patient with Medicaid as secondary — the secondary plan covers it.

**The deductible reset at the start of the year.** In January, deductibles reset. If benefit information has not been re-verified for the new plan year, StrataEMR may show a lower suggestion than is actually owed.

**The copay and co-insurance are both present.** For some plans, copay applies at each visit and co-insurance applies separately to specific services. StrataEMR reflects both if present in the benefit data.

**The patient has a non-standard arrangement.** If you have a financial arrangement in place with a patient — such as a reduced rate or deferred payment — the system may still show the standard calculated amount unless a financial arrangement has been recorded.

## How to Override the Recommended Amount for a Patient

If you want to stop StrataEMR from prompting collection for a specific patient, you can override the suggestion at the case level.

1. Open the patient's case in StrataEMR.
2. Navigate to the **Policies** screen of the **Patient Info** section of the case.
3. Locate the **Your Preferred Amount** box.
4. Enter \$0 or another amount you would prefer to collect.
5. Save your changes.

<Note>**Note:** Overriding the recommended amount does not affect the patient's balance or any claims. It only removes the prompt from appearing in tasks and visit workflows. The patient may still have a balance due — disabling the suggestion does not clear or write off any amount.</Note>

<Warning>**Warning:** If you are turning off the recommended amount because a secondary plan (such as Medicaid) covers the patient's responsibility, discuss this with your StrataPT Billing or Customer Success team. Do not turn off the suggestion as a workaround for an unresolved insurance setup issue.</Warning>

## Practice-Wide Collection Suggestion Settings

Practice-wide collection suggestion behavior — including whether the suggestion appears, how it behaves for specific payer types, and default thresholds — is configured by StrataPT on your behalf.

If you need to adjust how the collection suggestion works across your entire practice, contact StrataPT Support or your account manager.

## Related

* [Insurance Verification](/guides/billing/patient-benefit-verification) — How to verify and update a patient's benefit information in StrataEMR.
* [Recording a Patient Payment](/guides/record-patient-payment) — How to collect and record a copay or patient payment at time of service.
* [Understanding Patient Responsibility](/guides/billing/patient-responsibility) — How StrataEMR determines what a patient owes after insurance processes a claim.