Even though Delon Health provides cost-saving medical billing services including premium podiatry billing services in MA, IA, WI, MN, ND, and other states, I will like to share a few helpful tips to private practice doctors that still bill in-house.
1. School your patients.
Getting an insurance plan is complex so patients could use a bit of schooling. Copays, deductibles, and other medical billing terminology can be a bit of a mystery to most people.
You can consider having a simple flyer that will explains billing basics that can apply to any insurance plan. Directing patients toward the customer service number on the back of their insurance cards for more detailed questions can also help them in knowing more about the plans
Teaching patients on where to get more information can also help increase patient relationships. Patients often blame the doctor when billing problems are really between patients and their insurance provider.
2. Be up-to date on claims.
This is one of the most important things you need to do to improve your bottom line.
Filing claims on time (daily if possible), and have a routine system for checking open claims.
Be sure to file amended claims when necessary and never miss a resubmission deadline. For example, acupuncture billing in Massachusetts is quite new because it just got approved. So, the billing providers need to keep abreast at the changing laws at this time.
3. Have a conversation with your patients in an effective way.
Ensure to train your staff on how to communicate with patients about their bills. Never ask patients whether they want to pay their bill now. It makes you look money conscious.
Instead, suggest a choice of two options for paying. Assume that they’re going to pay and ask them if they prefer to pay by credit card or check.
4. Reassess your contracts.
Spending time to review your contracts with payers is very important.
Make sure you are aware of any changes especially if those changes necessitate a change in workflow, process or staff (re)training.
Also ensure to note all filing deadlines for the year ahead.
This is also a good time to make a chart of when your contracts come due, so you can make plans ahead for any renegotiations.
5. Have a go-to person for billing.
Make sure you have one someone in your staff that is thoroughly trained and experienced in all things billing. Whether it has to do with pain management billing in Minnesota, or a mental health billing in Iowa, Wyoming, South Dakota or North Dakota, as long as the practice has a secretary or assistant that helps the doctor or provider, there should be a go-to person for billing that is different from the provider.
Someone that can always attend to any staff and patient questions or issues
Spend time and money on training your go-to person, too, as your revenue depends on her capabilities. It’s also wise to have a backup go-to person in case your billing pro has to miss work for a lengthy period.
6. Confirm insurance.
Always do this on the phone before and at every patient visit. In fact, DME billing companies in MA are usually required by private payers to do this before providing services to patients.
Always verify insurance, make sure to also confirm the patient’s contact information is still same. People change jobs, switch email accounts, ditch landlines and move across town but don’t always remember to notify their physicians.
Regardless of how you send bills, be sure to avoid sending statements to the wrong address.
Make sure you have a way to follow-up if patients don’t pay to avoid payment delays.
