7 Advantages Of Outsourcing Billing

7 Advantages Of Outsourcing Billing

Medical billing can be a demanding and challenging task for small medical practices. For this reason, many physicians or practice managers make the choice to outsource their medical office billing to a professional medical billing company. There are many advantages to outsourcing billing. It saves time and money and eliminates the burden of concentrating on too many aspects of the medical office.

Consider all of the advantages of outsourcing  billing before making a decision about whether to bill in-house or outsource your medical claims.

1. More Focus on Patient Care

Spend more time focusing on what you do best and that is concentrating on patient satisfaction and providing quality care to your patients. This is specifically advantageous for smaller physician groups that cannot afford a large medical office staff. Physicians cannot be efficient at providing excellent patient care if they are bogged down by the financial side of the running a practice.

2. Reduces Billing Errors

Experienced, professional medical billers can ensure that your claims are accurately submitted in a timely manner. Medical billing companies’ sole purpose is to provide medical billing services. It is their responsibility to ensure that the billers they hire undergo thorough training and are equipped with the knowledge to properly submit medical claims. Not only will this reduce the number of denied and rejected claims due to billing errors but will provide the feedback to assist in maximizing reimbursements on future claims.

3. Saves Money

By outsourcing your billing, you could save thousands of dollars in annual salaries and benefits; office supplies and furniture; and purchasing, upgrading, and maintaining billing software and computer equipment. Medical billing companies charge a flat rate per claim or a percentage of the reimbursement on each claim. Either way it is less costly than what you would pay for a medical billing staff to provide the same exceptional services that are provided by outsourcing companies.

4. Improves Cash Flow

What happens when your medical biller calls out or goes on vacation? Sometimes claims have to wait until they come back to work in order to be submitted. Billing interruptions ultimately affects the timeliness of reimbursements and your cash flow. Using a medical billing service allows a continuous, steady flow of claims going out and cash coming in. A steady cash flow is important for your bottom line and the success of the medical office.

5. Improves Patient Satisfaction

The ability to offer excellent customer service is what all medical professionals want to provide to their patients. However, it can be quite difficult to juggle the demands of treating patients and handling billing issues. The medical receptionist is responsible for greeting patients and answering the telephone. Reducing the burden placed on your front office staff by outsourcing can increase productivity, efficiency and employee morale. It can also increase patient satisfaction by improving patient flow. Your patients will be happy because they will receive uninterrupted courteous and professional assistance for their billing questions or issues.

6. Ensures Billing Compliance

Health care is an ever-changing industry and insurance companies are partly to blame. One reason that makes medical billing a challenge is keeping up with the changes in Medicare, Medicaid and third party payers. It is a full time job to make sure that the medical office is following the proper protocol required by each payer. Medical billing companies must stay up-to-date on the latest changes in regulations and requirements in order to maintain compliance and ensure the submission of clean claims.

7. Increases Revenue

With the reduction in overhead costs, the timely submission of medical claims and the increased reimbursements, a higher profit is another advantage outsourcing billing can provide to the medical office. This allows the medical office the ability to provide the best quality services using the best technology and products and the best staff. Patients are becoming more knowledgeable about health care and are making choices based on what provider can offer them the best services. For this reason competition in health care has grown quickly over time and to stay in business health care professionals must maintain a competitive advantage.