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Accounts Receivable
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts Receivable  
Accounts Receivable

2. Accounts Receivable

We had accounts receivable of $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, net of an allowance for bad debt of $23.7 million and $24.3 million, as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Accounts receivable are written-off when it becomes apparent based upon age or customer circumstances that such amounts will not be collected.

The following table sets forth activities in our allowance for bad debt (in thousands):

 
   2012
   2011
   2010
  
   

Balance as of beginning of period

   $ 24,301   $ 20,201   $ 19,690  

Charges to provision for bad debt

     4,790     8,173     4,262  

Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable

     (6,025)     (4,681)     (4,291)  

Recoveries of bad debt

     653     608     540  
   

Balance as of end of period

   $ 23,719   $ 24,301   $ 20,201