Reference checking is one way of ensuring that your outsourcing partner is reliable and efficient. Yes, we are talking about outsourcing your medical billing and enjoying a more peaceful and productive practice. When you decide to speak to the references you need to be very clear about what information you are looking for, and whether your questions are rightly worded. The important pieces of information you need to glean are:
- Is the billing service HIPAA compliant?
- Does it deliver what it promises?
- Do they meet the turnaround time requirements?
- Did the practice’s AR days change after outsourcing?
- Were there any hidden costs in store?
- Does the company provide customized service?
- Was the transition to outsourced billing smooth and hassle-free?
- How quickly and well do they solve billing issues?
- Does the company keep pace with the changes in the industry?
- Do they provide medical billing in real time?
- What security measures do they have in place?
- Do they ensure claims follow-up systematically?
- Did the billing improve after outsourcing?
The references you approach can provide all the above information you are looking for. However, don’t forget to ask them whether they would recommend the particular medical billing company unreservedly.
Among the other major considerations are whether you’d like to have a service provider in your own state and whether the firm is experienced in providing medical billing for your specialty.
Medical billing outsourcing can be partial or full. But it is best to go for the outsourcing strategy if you find that your A/R remains stagnant in spite of your in-house staff trying to manage the billing process. Through outsourcing part of the billing process your staff finds difficult to handle, you can retain your dedicated staff and at the same time improve your bottom line. Alternately, you can go for full outsourcing and be completely free to focus on high-value tasks.
Julie Clements, OSI’s Vice President of Operations, brings a diverse background in healthcare staffing and a robust six-year tenure as the Director of Sales and Marketing at a prestigious 4-star resort.