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Casual Articles - The 9 Biggest Mistakes Every Medical Billing Office Should Avoid
Too many SUCCESSFUL entrepreneurs ride the ‘Feast or Famine’ wave. They have almost too much business and are SO busy, or they’re worried, anxious, and restless because nothing is going on. There’s nothing more draining and exhausting than riding that wave all the time (it’s NOT a day at the beach, if you know what I mean). Here are two trustworthy ways to build your opt-in list and continuously connect with high quality prospects.1. Communicate Collaboratively, Not CompetitivelyI’ve found this to be a major key to success when building a successful flow of prospec
7. Collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of service.
8. Secure sign Advanced Beneficiary Notice where indicated
9. Is the injury related to work or other type of accident? Many patients seeking medical services especially in the area of orthopedics and pain management have multiple injuries and are being treated for their injuries simultaneously. It is not uncommon for physicians to treat one part of the body which is work related and another from an automobile accident which is a completely separate situation. Your encounter form should have adequate fields for accident details.
I have yet to see a physician's medical billing office get this correct 100% of the time. I have a pain management practice that saved over $100,000 last year just by properly implementing step six.
Written by David Duncan President and founde
It is so easy to fall for their sales pitches. I know, even after creating my site I still find some of the sites tempting. But then, after listening to their lies you did the unthinkable and paid money for their service . . . and ended up with a bunch of nothing.You're mad, now it's time to get even. No, I don't suggest you bomb the company. I suggest you put them out of business legally. There are lots agencies out there that are designed to do it for you. Contact every single one of them. Use your anger to fuel your fire. You'll find some satisfaction in knowing that while they may
The biggest mistake I have experienced in over 15 years as the owner of a successful medical billing service, is the almost blind assumption by some physicians that their office manager ,”walks on water” and that billing staffers work hard and truly care about the practice. Assume the contrary or at a minimum look upon your staff with guarded optimism and you'll make a lot more money!
The second biggest mistake made by physicians is not taking a closer look at exactly what is being written off and why!
1. Always get a copy of the front and back of the patient's insurance card even if they're an existing patient. Never assume on follow-up visits that the patient is still covered under the same insurance plan. Make it a policy to assume they've changed insurances. Patients change insurance coverage all the time. Copying the insurance card will save you thousands of dollars per year and ultimately save, not cost your staff valuable time. Tracking patients down for missing information after the claim has already been filed is one of the most tedious and time-consuming tasks facing your billing office. Every time an initial claim goes out incorrectly you run the risk of a not being paid.
2. Verify benefits! Patients go in and out of coverage all the time. Their plans, in terms of deductibles and co-pays change all the time. Obviously the preauthorization process is quite time-consuming. It is not necessary to verify benefits in every circumstance such as follow-up care but I would recommend that you develop a reasonable policy and establish a timeframe for your verification of benefits process.
3. Post your e-mail address throughout your office. You probably won't have time to respond personally. But Read Them All! Have your IP professional program your e-mail client with a nicely crafted auto response. You'll be amazed at the valuable insight gained from reading the e-mails not to mention the positive impact it will have on your staff by ,” keeping them on their toes.”
4. Always obtain a second form of ID such as a driver's license from the patient. This information is very important especially if later on you experience collection problems. It's always best to assume that you will have future collection issues.
5. Always ask for the patient's work telephone number, cellular phone, pager and a relative's telephone number. This should be built into the encounter form. If the patient leaves it blank your staff should ask for additional phone numbers. This will also play a crucial role in the collection process later on. I cannot emphasize this fact enough. Plan for future collection and revenue related problems.
6. Always obtain authorization when necessary! Lack of authorization is probably the most commonly missed element in the billing process and it’s a real income killer as well. Insurance companies deliberately make it difficult on your staff. Contact your provider service representative if you feel the carriers are taking advantage of the situation. Insurance companies are particularly notorious for denying," procedures" when performed on the same day as a consult or office visit. Many carriers expect a separate authorization number for procedures/injections performed on the same day as the office visit. Make sure your staff is familiar with which carriers require separate authorizations for procedures performed on the same day as the office visit.
7. Collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of service.
8. Secure sign Advanced Beneficiary Notice where indicated
9. Is the injury related to work or other type of accident? Many patients seeking medical services especially in the area of orthopedics and pain management have multiple injuries and are being treated for their injuries simultaneously. It is not uncommon for physicians to treat one part of the body which is work related and another from an automobile accident which is a completely separate situation. Your encounter form should have adequate fields for accident details.
I have yet to see a physician's medical billing office get this correct 100% of the time. I have a pain management practice that saved over $100,000 last year just by properly implementing step six.
Written by David Duncan President and founder
One of the first questions start up businesses have is…"How do I get an EIN?"Before we look at the how to get this magic number, you need to make sure you really need one.If you have a sole proprietorship, with no employees, you do not need an EIN. The Federal Employer Identification Number, or EIN, is an IRS reference number for your business. As a sole proprietorship, your Social Security Number is the only number you need. You do not need an EIN until you hire your first employee.Remember, your states and cities have their own requirements for business license
2. Verify benefits! Patients go in and out of coverage all the time. Their plans, in terms of deductibles and co-pays change all the time. Obviously the preauthorization process is quite time-consuming. It is not necessary to verify benefits in every circumstance such as follow-up care but I would recommend that you develop a reasonable policy and establish a timeframe for your verification of benefits process.
3. Post your e-mail address throughout your office. You probably won't have time to respond personally. But Read Them All! Have your IP professional program your e-mail client with a nicely crafted auto response. You'll be amazed at the valuable insight gained from reading the e-mails not to mention the positive impact it will have on your staff by ,” keeping them on their toes.”
4. Always obtain a second form of ID such as a driver's license from the patient. This information is very important especially if later on you experience collection problems. It's always best to assume that you will have future collection issues.
5. Always ask for the patient's work telephone number, cellular phone, pager and a relative's telephone number. This should be built into the encounter form. If the patient leaves it blank your staff should ask for additional phone numbers. This will also play a crucial role in the collection process later on. I cannot emphasize this fact enough. Plan for future collection and revenue related problems.
6. Always obtain authorization when necessary! Lack of authorization is probably the most commonly missed element in the billing process and it’s a real income killer as well. Insurance companies deliberately make it difficult on your staff. Contact your provider service representative if you feel the carriers are taking advantage of the situation. Insurance companies are particularly notorious for denying," procedures" when performed on the same day as a consult or office visit. Many carriers expect a separate authorization number for procedures/injections performed on the same day as the office visit. Make sure your staff is familiar with which carriers require separate authorizations for procedures performed on the same day as the office visit.
7. Collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of service.
8. Secure sign Advanced Beneficiary Notice where indicated
9. Is the injury related to work or other type of accident? Many patients seeking medical services especially in the area of orthopedics and pain management have multiple injuries and are being treated for their injuries simultaneously. It is not uncommon for physicians to treat one part of the body which is work related and another from an automobile accident which is a completely separate situation. Your encounter form should have adequate fields for accident details.
I have yet to see a physician's medical billing office get this correct 100% of the time. I have a pain management practice that saved over $100,000 last year just by properly implementing step six.
Written by David Duncan President and founde
With numerous companies catering to the demand of office equipment supplies, it becomes tough to make a prudent choice. However, it also offers several advantages. With so many companies competing with each other to sell you the office equipment supplies, you can expect competitive prices, excellent service both before and after the purchase and of course, top quality products. There are a number of parameters that may help you decide to opt for one office equipment supplier over another. The time taken for delivery, the delivery locations, the quality of their products, how knowledgeable the
3. Post your e-mail address throughout your office. You probably won't have time to respond personally. But Read Them All! Have your IP professional program your e-mail client with a nicely crafted auto response. You'll be amazed at the valuable insight gained from reading the e-mails not to mention the positive impact it will have on your staff by ,” keeping them on their toes.”
4. Always obtain a second form of ID such as a driver's license from the patient. This information is very important especially if later on you experience collection problems. It's always best to assume that you will have future collection issues.
5. Always ask for the patient's work telephone number, cellular phone, pager and a relative's telephone number. This should be built into the encounter form. If the patient leaves it blank your staff should ask for additional phone numbers. This will also play a crucial role in the collection process later on. I cannot emphasize this fact enough. Plan for future collection and revenue related problems.
6. Always obtain authorization when necessary! Lack of authorization is probably the most commonly missed element in the billing process and it’s a real income killer as well. Insurance companies deliberately make it difficult on your staff. Contact your provider service representative if you feel the carriers are taking advantage of the situation. Insurance companies are particularly notorious for denying," procedures" when performed on the same day as a consult or office visit. Many carriers expect a separate authorization number for procedures/injections performed on the same day as the office visit. Make sure your staff is familiar with which carriers require separate authorizations for procedures performed on the same day as the office visit.
7. Collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of service.
8. Secure sign Advanced Beneficiary Notice where indicated
9. Is the injury related to work or other type of accident? Many patients seeking medical services especially in the area of orthopedics and pain management have multiple injuries and are being treated for their injuries simultaneously. It is not uncommon for physicians to treat one part of the body which is work related and another from an automobile accident which is a completely separate situation. Your encounter form should have adequate fields for accident details.
I have yet to see a physician's medical billing office get this correct 100% of the time. I have a pain management practice that saved over $100,000 last year just by properly implementing step six.
Written by David Duncan President and founde
There are many important imperatives and factors which are not quantified or measurable by the traditional accounting system.Human capital is perhaps the single most critical success factor for companies. But its importance cannot be captured or measured by the financial numbers. One can anticipate the failure of companies by observing the high defections within their middle and senior management ranks. The exodus of these key managers is the precursor to a much more severe problem, which can impact the continuity of execution and administration of the company.Anothe
6. Always obtain authorization when necessary! Lack of authorization is probably the most commonly missed element in the billing process and it’s a real income killer as well. Insurance companies deliberately make it difficult on your staff. Contact your provider service representative if you feel the carriers are taking advantage of the situation. Insurance companies are particularly notorious for denying," procedures" when performed on the same day as a consult or office visit. Many carriers expect a separate authorization number for procedures/injections performed on the same day as the office visit. Make sure your staff is familiar with which carriers require separate authorizations for procedures performed on the same day as the office visit.
7. Collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of service.
8. Secure sign Advanced Beneficiary Notice where indicated
9. Is the injury related to work or other type of accident? Many patients seeking medical services especially in the area of orthopedics and pain management have multiple injuries and are being treated for their injuries simultaneously. It is not uncommon for physicians to treat one part of the body which is work related and another from an automobile accident which is a completely separate situation. Your encounter form should have adequate fields for accident details.
I have yet to see a physician's medical billing office get this correct 100% of the time. I have a pain management practice that saved over $100,000 last year just by properly implementing step six.
Written by David Duncan President and founde
Do you find that your organization is constantly changing, that you are not sure what organization you are working for let alone your job description? Has your job changed as a result of downsizing, out sizing and rightsizing and that it leaves you with more to do and less time? Do you find that you struggle to put your life in balance and that work is an overwhelming amount of time in your life? Do you question, “Am I in the right job?” If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you are not alone. The world of work is changing and bec
7. Collect co-pays and deductibles at the time of service.
8. Secure sign Advanced Beneficiary Notice where indicated
9. Is the injury related to work or other type of accident? Many patients seeking medical services especially in the area of orthopedics and pain management have multiple injuries and are being treated for their injuries simultaneously. It is not uncommon for physicians to treat one part of the body which is work related and another from an automobile accident which is a completely separate situation. Your encounter form should have adequate fields for accident details.
I have yet to see a physician's medical billing office get this correct 100% of the time. I have a pain management practice that saved over $100,000 last year just by properly implementing step six.
Written by David Duncan President and founder of Medi-Bill Inc.
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