Dealing with difficult patients and resolving conflicts is an important part of working in a medical office. Sometimes, patients might be upset, anxious, or frustrated, and it's crucial to handle these situations calmly and professionally. Here are some tips and examples on how to manage these challenges effectively. First, it's important to listen carefully. When a patient … [Read more...] about How to deal with difficult patients and resolve conflicts
Billing & collections
Physician Fee Schedule Updates for 2025 hit Telehealth, Payment Policies, Rates and Quality
The 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) introduces several key updates that impact payment policies, rates, and quality provisions: Payment Rates: There are refinements to codes for services addressing social determinants of health, with a focus on expanding the use of billing codes for social risk assessments and care coordination. Complexity add-on payments for … [Read more...] about Physician Fee Schedule Updates for 2025 hit Telehealth, Payment Policies, Rates and Quality
CODING ALERT: Watch for ICD-10-CM and CPT Changes for 2025
For 2025, medical coding changes in ICD-10-CM and CPT codes are set to reflect more precise diagnostic details and updated guidelines across various medical conditions. Some of the key updates include: Mental Health: New ICD-10-CM codes will expand the classification of eating disorders, differentiating severity levels (mild, moderate, severe) and adding specific … [Read more...] about CODING ALERT: Watch for ICD-10-CM and CPT Changes for 2025
How to add an insurance specialist to your team
Having a skilled insurance specialist on your team is essential for maintaining smooth financial operations and ensuring patient satisfaction. This role serves as a vital link between your practice, insurance companies, and patients. From verifying patient coverage to submitting claims and resolving billing disputes, an insurance specialist helps reduce financial stress for … [Read more...] about How to add an insurance specialist to your team
9 things to know about billing software
The large majority of medical offices use billing software. If you haven't made the leap to billing software yet, or if you are shopping for a new software vendor, here are things to know. With billing software, you can automate the entire billing process, from sending out invoices to processing payments. This can save you a lot of time and reduce the risk of errors. This … [Read more...] about 9 things to know about billing software
How to maximize reimbursements through denial management
One of your key responsibilities is ensuring that your practice gets paid for the services provided. One of the biggest challenges you’ll face in this role is dealing with insurance claim denials. These denials can create significant delays in cash flow and, if left unresolved, can lead to lost revenue. That's where effective denial management comes in. By creating a proactive … [Read more...] about How to maximize reimbursements through denial management
Could you be doing more to make your accounts receivable less?
The financial health and stability of your medical practice depends on keeping receivables low and effectively managing outstanding balances. By implementing strategic practices and fostering a patient-centric approach, you can maintain low receivables while promoting a positive patient experience. Here are some strategies to achieve this: 1. Establish Clear Financial … [Read more...] about Could you be doing more to make your accounts receivable less?
How to make a collection call to a patient
A collection call to a patient should never be offensive. But it does need to be firm. Remember, the goal is to collect an unpaid balance. With this in mind, here's what to say and how to respond to what a patient says. Begin by putting the patient on the spot, without being confrontational. One possible approach is, "We haven't received payment for this bill we sent you 30 … [Read more...] about How to make a collection call to a patient
Track these 5 metrics for practice profitability
By Mike Rigert “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times … , ” wrote author Charles Dickens in his classic novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” While it’s certainly not the worst of times for most healthcare practices (that honor likely went to 2020-2021), things could always be better, … [Read more...] about Track these 5 metrics for practice profitability
8 tips for successful collections and increased revenue
A robust collections process is essential for the financial health and sustainability of your practice. By implementing the right strategies and adopting a proactive approach, you can significantly enhance your collections efforts. Here are 8 essential tips and best practices to help you optimize collections and maximize revenue for your medical office. Verify Insurance … [Read more...] about 8 tips for successful collections and increased revenue