| If you are a medical provider considering | | | | payments from your books to the billing |
| outsourcing your billing, there are a few things you | | | | company's. Some patient balances may not match |
| should consider. Choosing a medical billing service | | | | due to the information provided to your billing |
| can be hard to do because it may seem like you | | | | service. For example, maybe a patient as a credit |
| are relinquishing control over the most important | | | | on your books but the medical billing company |
| aspect of your practice. Here are a few tips to | | | | you are using is not informed of this, creating two |
| help you make the right decision with your | | | | different balances. The more information you can |
| medical billing outsourcing. | | | | provide up front, the closer your books will match. |
| Communication and transparency are the key to | | | | One easy way to feel a sense of retaining control |
| any successful relationship between a physician | | | | as well as being able to manage transition issues is |
| and their billing service. Make sure the medical | | | | to use a medical billing service that files claims |
| billing company you are considering has a policy of | | | | through an internet based practice management |
| communication that is satisfactory to you. Some | | | | system. Those that do use an internet based |
| questions to consider: what type of reports do | | | | system are more transparent as they can |
| they run and how often are they provided? How | | | | provide 24/7 access to you from anywhere you |
| often do they work insurance denials? Establish | | | | have a computer. |
| your preferred method of contact, whether by | | | | Try to find a service that bills on a contingency |
| phone, email, etc. How does the medical billing | | | | fee. Some states may prohibit this, but it is the |
| service file their claims? Do they run software on | | | | preferred method of billing. A set dollar amount |
| their computer or use an internet based service? | | | | per claim may make it easier to judge your cost |
| Make sure the physician billing service does not | | | | each month. However a contingency fee, or |
| make any changes to ICD-9, CPT, or HCPS codes | | | | percentage of the paid claim, offers distinct |
| without your consent. A billing service can be | | | | advantages. One, you only pay when you are |
| instrumental in finding errors in your coding and | | | | paid. Two, there is more incentive for the billing |
| help you make the correct changes, but they | | | | service to work collections and denials. Three, it |
| should not do so unless consulting with you first. | | | | helps you control costs, especially since insurance |
| This prevents any liability issues down the road. | | | | allowables on some procedures can be very low. |
| Ask the billing service if they provide any | | | | Finally, try to find a physician billing service that is |
| physician education or feedback on insurance billing | | | | a partner in your success. Are they able to help |
| issues. Some may charge for this information, but | | | | you identify areas of opportunities in your practice |
| most may be happy to provide it as part of the | | | | to increase revenue? Correct errors? Prepare you |
| service. | | | | and inform you of notable changes in insurance |
| Who posts payments? Some physicians may | | | | billing policies? A good medical billing company is |
| choose to keep this portion of their practice | | | | one that acts like a consultant and not just a |
| management in-house. In the beginning there will | | | | medical biller. |
| be a gradual overlap as you transition posting | | | | |