By Ranadene (Randi) K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio When patients have multiple insurance coverage, at times it can be difficult to determine which one is primary, secondary, and tertiary. Sometimes, the patients don't even know which order they go in! While there are always going to be exceptions, here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind: … [Read more...] about How to determine the order of multiple insurance coverages
Billing & collections
CMS finalizes changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program
Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized proposals that it says will address provider burnout and provide clinicians immediate relief from excessive paperwork tied to outdated billing practices. The final 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and the Quality Payment Program (QPP) rule also updates Medicare payment policies to promote access to … [Read more...] about CMS finalizes changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program
Polite form on chart collects balance due at registration
Because staff don't like asking patients for money, one manager set up a non-confrontational form that gets patients to pay their outstanding balances at registration. The billing department attaches it to the charts each morning, and the front desk staff hand it to patients with, "Oh, by the way, there is a note here for you from the billing department." The form was designed … [Read more...] about Polite form on chart collects balance due at registration
3 questions to help you handle patient credits
By Ranadene K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio How does your office deal with patient credits? More importantly, does your office deal with patient credits at all? Believe it not, not all offices do. There are several reasons why an office wouldn't address patient credits—from just not knowing they should to not knowing how to being short staffed. If … [Read more...] about 3 questions to help you handle patient credits
Patient collections ‘bonus incentive’ program increases patient payments and staff pay
An Indiana practice recently established a bonus incentive program for its support staff that has been a huge help to patient collections. "I had managed an office prior to joining this practice where I was able to track patient collections percentages each day," Leanne Craig, office manager at Hendricks Therapy, tells Medical Office Manager. "I had a report within our … [Read more...] about Patient collections ‘bonus incentive’ program increases patient payments and staff pay
Simple but workable ways to improve collections
What's the cause of poor collections? Don't blame it on the office, says one collections expert. Sadly, the underlying reason for poor collections is today's all-too-common attitude that bills don't deserve respect. In the past, people were proud to pay their bills. No more. A bill that can be avoided gets avoided. And along with that, "the world has changed," says … [Read more...] about Simple but workable ways to improve collections
Reminder: Comments for QPP Year 3 NPRM due September 10
On July 12th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released proposed changes to its Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP). CMS is seeking comment on various QPP provisions in the NPRM. Comments are due by 5:00 pm ET on September 10. You must officially submit your comments in one of the following ways: Electronically, through … [Read more...] about Reminder: Comments for QPP Year 3 NPRM due September 10
CMS proposes changes to modernize Medicare and aid the doctor-patient relationship
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changes that would increase the amount of time that doctors and other clinicians can spend with their patients by reducing the burden of paperwork that clinicians face when billing Medicare. The proposed rules are intended to help restore the doctor-patient relationship by empowering clinicians to use their … [Read more...] about CMS proposes changes to modernize Medicare and aid the doctor-patient relationship
12 tips for boosting patient payment
The way the bill looks, and reads, plays a major role in when – and whether – the office gets paid. Here are 12 ways to boost patient payment. 1 Include a return envelope with the bill. This makes it easier for the patient to pay and also ensures the payment is addressed correctly. 2 Use colored return envelopes. They make the bill stand out from the … [Read more...] about 12 tips for boosting patient payment
Are employees embezzling funds from your medical practice?
Embezzlement is easy in a medical office because little amounts come through every day, many of them in cash, and $5 here or $10 there doesn't get missed. The scheme can be as simple as a staffer walking off with a bit of cash now and then. But it can also be elaborate. Somebody sets up a fictitious vendor and writes checks to the bogus company. Or somebody sets up a bank … [Read more...] about Are employees embezzling funds from your medical practice?