By Jordan Schmidt


A good billing agency can make or break a medical practice. Physicians and office managers can choose among qualified medical billing companies in Fort Wayne in their area. They may elect an offshore company as well if costs are an issue. In any case, costing is central to the back office and is often neglected by busy staff. Use the following rules to guide your decision.

Your first priority will be the various business services offered. Are they limited or comprehensive and in either case do they meet your needs? Ask to see a description along with testimonials regarding results. Weigh all factors uniformly to find a great match. You may have a preference as to the size of an agency depending upon the quality of the customer service and communication. If it makes a difference to you, it should be on your check list. Each type of business has its assets and you may want a variety of back-office services for everyday tasks.

Next you want timeliness and reliability. You want people who know all types of billing and can follow up promptly. You want accuracy of claims submissions and good tracking skills. Good reporting goes without saying. Aggressive follow up means more revenues for your own business and less lag time in collecting. It means a solid relationship with vendors such as insurance companies or the government in the case of Medicare. It also entails tenacity and sticking to principles for optimal results.

Skill with insurance company reps is reason enough to hire a good team. You want timely billing of insurance claims so as not to miss vital due dates. You want an understanding of Medicare and other government programs. You want immediate collection action to avoid any statute of limitations. You want a service that will maximize revenues for the medical practice without alienating vendors. Don't forget accessibility and good communication in your hierarchy.

Fees come to the fore in any hiring situation. Costs must be fair and reasonable, consistent with other similar providers. Some charge a flat rate, some take a percentage of collected revenue. Do the math to see which method works best for you.

There are many questions to ask your prospective billing service including speed of filing and meeting insurance claim due dates. Of course you will discuss fees in depth and determine the best options for your practice. Some companies prefer a flat rate while others opt for a percentage of earnings. The former is most likely the best choice and most cost effective.

An understanding of ASP and Unix-based systems is a plus. Furthermore, any agency must know all medical diagnosis codes for insurance purposes. Experience in the field may count more than a specific specialty. Keeping up to date is relevant. Ask about training programs for staff and how they stay current with the laws. Finally, ask about the technological resources used by the business and the equipment that interfaces with Palm and PDA billing. Everything has its important place in the larger scheme of things.

Selecting a good medical agency can make or break a business by controlling cash flow. Talk about their philosophy in managing your revenue stream. Match up your requirements with their skills for optimal results. It can mean the difference between a weak or strong practice.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

top