When the office is busy but the cash flow is slow and the work isn't translating into net income for the physicians, look first to the billing and collections work. Almost always, that's where the failing lies. To keep the cash flowing, the office has to keep constant tabs on those two operations. Yet most offices don't. They just wait until they run out of cash. Here is how … [Read more...] about How to keep the cash coming in
Billing & collections
Increased adoption of HIPAA electronic claims-related processes can save more than $8 billion annually
The U.S. health care system is unnecessarily spending billions of dollars each year by continuing to use manual administrative processes for basic transactions, according to the 2015 CAQH Index®, a report from CAQH, a non-profit alliance and leader in creating shared initiatives to streamline the business of health care. Despite steady increases in industry adoption of … [Read more...] about Increased adoption of HIPAA electronic claims-related processes can save more than $8 billion annually
You can’t do it all
By Steve M. Cohen bio I've been asked, even criticized, about focusing too much on the "soft" side of management. I'm asked why I don't discuss more "concrete" issues like medical billing software or the latest Medicare requirements. One answer is that these are not my areas of expertise. But the most important answer for you is that these are not the really … [Read more...] about You can’t do it all
Research assesses health care costs and utilization
The Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), which promotes independent, nonpartisan research and analysis on the causes of the rise in U.S. health spending, has released a set of six policy briefs assessing the impact of a range of national and state policies on health care costs and utilization. The briefs were developed by independent researchers using HCCI's repository of … [Read more...] about Research assesses health care costs and utilization
Michigan office uses online payments to increase revenue
A Michigan medical practice that added online bill payments to its website is seeing a substantial increase in revenue. To introduce the new process, the office put signs in the waiting room and a notice in statements. The company's practice administration said it took awhile to catch on but it worked because patients are already comfortable with online payments. They … [Read more...] about Michigan office uses online payments to increase revenue
Colorado practice cuts costs by hiring IT staffer
Manager Arlene Zimmerman had an IT cost awakening when the computer went down. She called in the vendor's tech support and paid $100 to find out the computer was simply unplugged. "I told myself 'never again!'" says Zimmerman, who manages four-physician Colorado Springs Family Practice in Colorado Springs, CO. So she started on a path of building up as much IT support as … [Read more...] about Colorado practice cuts costs by hiring IT staffer
Recovering from data corruption or loss
Many businesses, including medical practices, that rely heavily on network data to conduct business operations, interact with customers or patients, process payments, or for remote access for off-site employees believe they are protected from data loss or network failure because they have a "backup and recovery" system in place. Unfortunately, this false sense of security can … [Read more...] about Recovering from data corruption or loss
For payment plans, credit cards on file mean payments on time
For any patients on a payment plan, having a credit card on file is just good business, says a New Jersey practice administrator. Automatic card payments are the only way an office can be assured of getting the agreed-upon amount at the agreed-upon time. The practice administrator uses that approach for a dermatology practice and also for a second practice she manages as a … [Read more...] about For payment plans, credit cards on file mean payments on time
Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
A nationwide survey finds health care organizations and businesses, including medical practices, confront time and staffing challenges when it comes to health care compliance management. Expertise is also an issue, as is keeping up with changes. Nevertheless, medical practices and other health care providers recognize the importance of health care compliance management. The … [Read more...] about Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
Medical biller sentenced to 45 months in prison for role in $4 million health care fraud scheme
The medical biller of a Chicago-area visiting physician practice was recently sentenced to 45 months in prison for her role in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the … [Read more...] about Medical biller sentenced to 45 months in prison for role in $4 million health care fraud scheme