Medical billing and collections is an array of complex tasks related altogether and harder to unknot. Such tasks may involve a complete revenue cycle management from patient registration, and eligibility verifications to submitting a clean claim, and final recovery from other stakeholders.
Additionally, these activities are extremely time-consuming, and require massive documentation with complex legal frameworks. That’s the core reason why outsourcing all these tasks to a medical billing company is rapidly growing. According to research by Market Research Future, the market size of medical billing is expected to grow from $17.76 billion in 2024 to $32.79 billion by 2032.
While considering medical billing and coding services, some factors are essential to keep in mind before your final verdict. Now, let’s quickly move to the main cause of this blog and understand ten things when choosing a medical billing service.
1. Experience and Specialization
The scenario of healthcare billing and other related administrative tasks is the same for almost all medical practices. Not only, they demand a lot of time but also raise your overhead cost. So, outsourcing all this mess to an experienced medical billing partner is the perfect solution.
While assessing a medical billing company before hiring, seek a company with a proven successful track record. Ideally with several years of experience in your specific field. A company with experience specific to your medical specialty, for example, cardiology or pediatrics, will have a deeper understanding of the unique circumstances of your medical practice.
2. Expertise in Coding
Accurate coding is a cornerstone of the entire revenue management cycle. Choose a company with a team of AAPC-certified coders well-versed in ICD-10 and CPT coding systems. Only an experienced coder can understand the exact nature of the case and decide the appropriate code according to the given care. Therefore, their expertise can significantly enhance your revenue cycle and even reclaim your lost money in your wallet.
3. HIPAA Compliance
All healthcare companies must follow the laws and regulations that have been established. You might ask the billing firm to submit a list of compliance practices they use to verify that no rules are violated.
Verify that the staff is familiar with ICD-10, HCPCS, and CPT codes in addition to the HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Further, inquire about their rate of rejected claims and how they handle them. To prevent revenue loss, they should have a resubmission mechanism in place.
4. Billing Technology and Software
Do you handle financial data, patient accounts, and other back-office duties using internal software? It may be a good idea to investigate medical billing firms that utilize software that works compatible with your current program. Changing to new software may require investing more time, money, and resources.
Additionally, as you train other staff members to utilize the new program, there may be a learning curve. Additionally, you may find out from medical billing firms whether software training is included when you sign a contract. If so, ask whether or not it is free.
5. Cost Structure
Knowledge of the billing company’s price structure is essential. To maintain a strategic perspective, it’s important to request information about additional fees. A healthcare provider must first assess their budget before engaging the services of a medical billing company. Numerous medical billing firms provide various service packages at distinct prices. Select the most suitable package based on your financial means.
6. Research on Company’s Market Reputation
Ensuring that the company you choose to work with has a good standing in the industry is vital. A smart way to approach buying a new product or service is to first examine the client reviews available online. It would be helpful to ask the company for testimonials or references to assess the quality of their work.
It’s important to ensure your practice’s revenue is secure before putting your signature on the contract. Once you’ve chosen an unacceptable billing service, it might be tough to leave the contract if you become dissatisfied.
7. Denial Management and Collections
An astonishing number of 65% of medical billers bypass editing and resubmitting rejected claims, a situation that can create major complications in the medical billing industry. Incorrect handling of denied medical claims is a common problem in billing and can adversely affect your revenue.
Excellent medical billing services California need to be equipped with a strong denial management procedure. They must have the ability to recognize why claims are being rejected and take steps to implement effective solutions to prevent such denials from occurring in the future.
8. Business Continuity Plan
Medical billing is a critical and complex task, with even the slightest mistakes potentially causing significant financial and reputational harm. The billing company you are considering hiring should be equipped with a BCP and backup system to ensure uninterrupted operations during an unexpected crisis. Engaging a reliable business is beneficial for enhancing patient value and increasing cash inflow.
9. Security and Data Protection
Data protection is a major concern for many healthcare professionals. A reliable medical billing firm manages the sensitive data of its onboard clients with due diligence. Being their prospective customer you can ask about their protection framework and in place procedures to protect your data. So, to safeguard confidential and personal medical records, it is essential to select a top-notch billing service such as DoctorMGT.
10. Responsive Customer Support
Medical billing relies heavily on superior customer support. Inquire about accessibility and typical response durations, particularly during billing discrepancies or problems. The firm is expected to promptly address your questions and concerns. And informing you about progress and issues. Your billing process and client experience can be significantly impacted by a company’s responsiveness. The ideal company for you should have a committed customer support team available to handle your questions and concerns on time.