What does the term "skip" refer to in collections?

The term "skip" in collections refers specifically to a patient who cannot be located by mail or telephone. This situation typically arises when a debtor has moved without leaving a forwarding address, making it difficult for the medical office or collection agency to contact them regarding their outstanding debt.

When someone is labeled as a "skip," it implies that traditional methods of communication have failed, and recovering the debt may require additional investigative efforts to locate the individual. This term is crucial in the collections industry, as it highlights the challenges faced when trying to collect payment from patients who have become unreachable.

The other options present scenarios that do not align with the established definition in the context of collections. Skipping a billing cycle refers to payment terms, while accounts payable adjustments and nonsufficient funds checks relate to financial management but do not address the concept of "skips" in collections.