Choosing a medical billing company to handle the administrative and billing services for your medical practice is an important decision. Best Medical billing services are vital for getting insurance claims processed efficiently and paid accurately. With so many medical billing companies to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one will be the best fit for your practice. Here are 9 steps to help you select the best medical billing company for your needs.
-
Get Referrals
Ask other medical professionals in your area for recommendations of medical billing companies they have worked with successfully. Peers in your specialty or other medical practices of similar size can provide valuable insight into which companies provide reliable, quality services. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find a top medical billing company. -
Check Online Reviews
Search online for reviews of potential medical billing companies on websites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. Read what current and former clients say about the level of service, billing accuracy rates, response times, and value received for costs paid. Look for companies that consistently receive positive reviews touting their expertise in medical billing. -
Request Proposals and Quotes
Contact 3-5 highly rated medical billing companies in your area and request detailed proposals outlining their services, costs, and contract terms. Compare features like billing and follow up processes, software systems used, reporting capabilities, billing turnaround times, and customer support options. It’s also important to understand all associated fees upfront to determine the true costs of each company’s services. -
Consider Certifications and Accreditations
Reputable medical billing companies maintain compliance certification with organizations like AAPC and AHIMA. Check that potential companies have the proper licensing and certification from oversight boards to ensure they follow HIPAA and other legal requirements. Accreditation through programs like URAC demonstrate a higher standard of billing performance, processes, and patient privacy protection. -
Evaluate Experience and Specialization
Inquire about each company’s years of experience in medical billing as well as their focus areas. Choose a company that has substantial expertise handling billing for practices similar in specialty and size to your own. A company specialized in your particular specialty (e.g dermatology, orthopedics, etc.) will have deeper knowledge of coding guidelines and common billing issues within that field. -
Assess Technology and Systems Used
A top medical billing company will use cutting-edge technology like secure, HIPAA compliant Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management Systems to streamline the entire billing process. Discuss how potential companies plan to seamlessly integrate their billing software into your existing systems and workflows. Consider a company that offers extensive online client portals for real-time claim status checks, reporting, and direct communication. -
Evaluate Customer Service Commitment
The best medical billing focuses on excellent customer service. Assess each company’s patient and client communication policies as well as problem escalation procedures. Ask about call center hours, response time guarantees, and ongoing account management support. Opt for a company known for promptly resolving billing errors and issues to keep cash flow moving. -
Request Sample Reports
A sample of standard management reports provided by candidates can give insight into the level of analytics and insights to expect. Standard reports from the top medical billing companies provide in-depth views of key billing metrics like claim submission and payment volumes, denial rates, aging receivables, and revenue by insurance carrier or provider. -
Check References and Trust Your Instincts
When you’ve narrowed your selection, call a client reference from each potential company’s reference list to get an honest assessment of service quality and relationship. Most importantly, trust your gut feeling – if interactions with a candidate leave you feeling uneasy for any reason, keep searching for a company that provides confidence as your best medical billing partner.
Following these nine steps will help you evaluate candidates objectively and ultimately choose the best medical billing company to seamlessly handle the administrative and financial responsibilities of your practice. Look for a partner with proven experience, certification, technology, customer service skills and a strong track record to provide speedy, accurate billing and maximize your practice’s revenue through their proven best medical billing expertise. With the right partnership, your office operations can proceed smoothly while your billing is expertly managed behind the scenes.
