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
Billing & 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?
4 ways to keep your cool in the midst of chaos
By Cheryl Toth How well do you think you handle stress at work? I used to think I was pretty good at it, until a few years ago, when I realized I wasn't. I was working for a healthcare technology company that was young and rapidly growing. Every day, my task and responsibility list seemed to grow exponentially. At first it was exciting, but after a while I was buried under a … [Read more...] about 4 ways to keep your cool in the midst of chaos
Want to improve collections? Start by looking at your Patient Registration System
By Ranadene (Randi) K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio First and foremost, a good intake system and/or form is a must! If set up properly, your intake system and/or form will collect all the necessary information you need to bill a patients insurance carrier(s). Offices should collect, at minimum, the following information: Demographics Patient's full … [Read more...] about Want to improve collections? Start by looking at your Patient Registration System
CMS to host live Question & Answer Session on Open Payments Program Year 2017
Join the CMS Open Payments team on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 for a live Question and Answer (Q&A) session from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET). The Q&A session will open with a brief presentation on the review, dispute and correction periods. The Open Payments team will then be available to respond to your questions. When: Wednesday March 28, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 … [Read more...] about CMS to host live Question & Answer Session on Open Payments Program Year 2017
Overlooked opportunities within the revenue cycle: The three Ps
By Trent Iden bio If your organization is like most across the healthcare system, stagnant or reduced reimbursement is mangling your margins. When revenue is restricted, it becomes ever more important for physician practices to keep their revenue cycle spinning by collecting the fees due to the organization, and in a cost-effective way. Revenue cycle performance is a … [Read more...] about Overlooked opportunities within the revenue cycle: The three Ps
2018 Medicare Reimbursement: Final Rule
By Elizabeth Woodcock, Guest Contributor bio Just hours within the release of the Final Rule concerning the 2018 revisions to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) on November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the ruling that governs the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for the coming year. Although overshadowed by the QPP … [Read more...] about 2018 Medicare Reimbursement: Final Rule