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.

Business services: the gamut of what is offered makes a tremendous difference to a medical practice. If you need a full range, make sure the company has the expertise for your size business and that invoicing and insurance claims are done on a timely basis. It doesn't matter if the company is onshore or off, or is a family home business or a multiple physician enterprise. Quality is what counts. A good company can take a big load off permanent staff. You want personal attention and comprehensive services for all your back-office needs. You want immediate follow up and great communication to keep your practice running smoothly.

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.

An active agency is the answer to a practice's prayers. Staff that is trained and professional can achieve more in a shorter period of time. They can work with patients for post-insurance balances and to devise payment plans. They don't miss technicalities and adhere always to HIPAA laws (established by the federal government in 1006). Keeping up to date guarantees accuracy and expediency.

HIPAA is a set of laws established in 1996 by the federal government. They pertain to privacy and the protection of patient information. Ask about the agency's knowledge of these rules and how they comply.

Some agencies specialize in a particular branch of medicine. This may or may not matter to you as long as the company uses a standard protocol and observes insurance claim filing due dates. It is also important that your reps communicate regularly and are accessible when it is needed. It may be more important to have a professional trained staff than experts in your medical field. Most quality firms understand ASP and Unix billing systems and of course the updated insurance codes for diagnoses.

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.

When you feel comfortable that you have found a good match, you can delve a bit further about technological resources and services that support Palm and PFDA medical billing. Anything that impacts deliverability is desirable. Medical billing is so important to a doctor's practice that it takes time and skill to hire well. It can make or break a revenue stream, so be mindful of these tips when making your final selection.




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