The Hidden Balance Sheet: Millions Lost in Auto-Accident and Third-Party Liability Claims

How Titan Collections is transforming a forgotten revenue stream into high-yield recoveries for hospitals

Hospitals across the country face unprecedented pressure to manage costs and optimize reimbursements. Yet billions of dollars in auto-accident and third-party liability (TPL) claims are lost each year. While most revenue cycle leaders zero in on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers, an entire class of claims quietly slips through the cracks: auto accidents and third-party liability (TPL).

Robert McFarland, President of Titan Collections, is on a mission to change that. With proprietary tools, purpose-built processes, and a proven track record of over $1 billion collected for clients, Titan is helping hospitals recover what others have written off, and the results are staggering.

What Hospitals Are Missing

“Most hospitals are laser-focused on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance,” says McFarland. “Auto accidents and third-party liability do not fit neatly into those workflows. They require different documents, legal authorizations, and coordination with liability carriers. Most billing teams just are not set up for that, so these claims slip away.”

This operational blind spot is not marginal. It is massive. Titan routinely finds that 50 to 75 percent of accident-related revenue goes uncollected, translating into hundreds of thousands or even millions annually per hospital. For example, at a 200-bed community hospital, Titan identified over $1.2 million in uncollected accident claims within just six months.

The Scale of the Problem

“It is massive, billions nationally,” McFarland emphasizes. Even financially sophisticated systems are not immune. Because TPL and Workers’ Comp claims often fall outside routine billing protocols, they go unworked or are eventually written off.

Even financially sophisticated systems are not immune. Because TPL and Workers’ Comp claims often fall outside routine billing protocols, they go unworked or are eventually written off.

“TPL and Workers’ Comp often account for 4 to 5 percent of total ER traffic,” he adds. “Multiply that by average claim values and you see how much is just sitting there.”

Myths That Cost Millions

Why is this revenue routinely left on the table? McFarland points to several misconceptions:

One common myth is that these claims are considered ‘too complex.’ Many believe they are too slow or not worth the hassle. In reality, they can be among the highest-yielding claims a hospital has when structured correctly.

Another misconception is that auto accident and TPL claims are thought to be ‘already handled.’ Internal teams or existing vendors often treat TPL and Workers’ Comp as side tasks, which is how millions quietly get left behind.

This structured, proprietary approach consistently achieves results that internal teams and traditional vendors cannot match.

Why It Is So Complex And How Titan Simplifies It

Traditional billing departments struggle with the legal and administrative complexity of TPL and Workers’ Comp cases.

Titan’s purpose-built workflow replaces complexity with structure. It starts at intake, where AOB SnapSign™ locks in reimbursement rights and captures complete insurance details. Next, the Titan Escalation Engine™ applies a clear enforcement framework to prevent delays or denials. Finally, the TPL Recovery Protocol™ provides the compliance guardrails and consistency hospitals need to close every claim securely.

By securing documentation at intake, hospitals not only protect reimbursement rights but also reduce compliance risk and avoid chasing patients for details months after care. This protects both the institution and the patient experience.

A Seamless Workflow From Day One

Rather than bolting on at the end of the revenue cycle, Titan begins at intake.

“With SnapSign™, we capture the assignment of benefits, all auto insurance details in one place, and every accident-related fact before the claim ever risks falling through the cracks,” McFarland explains.

Hospitals are trained to identify TPL opportunities with one screening question. Patients rarely refuse, less than 1 percent of the time.

To build trust, Titan offers a 3-month no-risk trial, providing a side-by-side benchmark against industry standards.

Outperforming Every Competitor

While traditional collections agencies and hospital billing teams might dabble in TPL, Titan is in a league of its own.

“Many vendors treat TPL and Workers’ Comp as a side service. For us, it is the entire mission,” says McFarland. “Unlike traditional agencies, we are IP-driven. SnapSign™ locks in rights and eliminates the need for hospitals to chase patients for insurance details later. The Titan Escalation Engine™ enforces recoveries. Our proprietary TPL Protocol™ keeps everything compliant and consistent.”

That comprehensive system consistently delivers superior results. “Titan Collections has been in partnership with Arkansas Methodist for over 10 years. Their ability to recover revenue from complex Third Party Liability claims, including auto accidents, has been remarkable,” says Aubrey King, Revenue Cycle Director.

Titan routinely recovers 2 to 2.5 times more than competitors, proving the value of its specialized, structured model.

Who Benefits Most?

Hospitals of all types can benefit, but some see outsized gains.

“Community hospitals and trauma centers with high ER traffic tend to see the biggest lifts,” McFarland explains. “Early warning signs include accident claims that stall out for months, large balances sitting in A/R with no movement, or reliance on bad debt write-offs.”

The moment a patient arrives at the ER due to a car accident, the clock starts ticking. Without the right protocols, valuable revenue disappears.

A Call for Industry-Wide Change

McFarland believes both operational and policy reforms are needed to close these gaps.

“First, hospitals need to operationalize TPL recovery at intake rather than months later,” he advises. “Second, payers and policymakers should streamline subrogation and liability processes because the current system creates unnecessary bottlenecks.”

Titan is also advancing EHR and clearinghouse integration to make TPL recovery a standard, not exceptional, part of billing.

No Risk, Just Results

Unlike many vendors, Titan does not ask hospitals to take a financial risk.

“There are no upfront fees. We only get paid when they recover,” McFarland says. “On top of that, our 3-month trial program gives hospitals a data-driven look at our performance, benchmarked against industry standards.”

With over $1 billion collected for clients, Titan has proven it can unlock a major new revenue stream while keeping hospitals compliant and treating patients fairly.

Unlock hidden revenue. Schedule your no-risk consultation at www.TitanCollections.com.