There are many aspects to consider when comparing medical billing software. Before deciding which package is right for your company, it is important to determine what features you need, and to research the various medical billing applications that fall within your budget to see how they match up. This, of course, may vary, depending on who your facility serves and the services you provide.
Though the main purpose of medical billing software is to handle patient records, there are many other features available that can help to make your job much easier. One such feature is the ability for multiple users to access the same record simultaneously. This allows your administrative staff to update insurance and billing information while the physician meets with the patient. This speeds up the overall process and helps to expedite things more quickly.
Another feature included in many medical billing software applications is remote access. This allows doctors and other medical professionals to access patient records from a location outside the office. This can be useful in situations where it is necessary to obtain information quickly and easily. While it is not likely this feature would be among the most used, it could prove to be both useful and necessary.
Prescription handling is another important feature. It can not only automate cross-checking for harmful drug interaction, but can also automatically transmit prescriptions to the pharmacy. This is of great benefit to the patient, and can help eliminate confusion since there is communication between the pharmacy and your facility.
When choosing new medical billing software, check to be sure that information can be easily entered. Questions to ask the vendor are: is this process intuitive? Can you skip certain sections if they do not apply to certain patient situations? Are you allowed to include non-standard information?
Other important factors are the level of automation and ease of use. If you are unable to quickly and easily find specific information about a patient, you might want to consider a different application. You should also make sure the various screens are easy to understand, especially since this software will likely have multiple users.
There are many medical billing software applications from which to choose, so dont be wowed by the bells and whistles. Remember, every sales person will tell you theirs has the features you need and is right for your company. Stay focused on the features that are most important to your facility, and always keep your entire staff in mind before choosing the application that will best suit your needs.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=366743
Monday, February 12, 2007
Medical Billing Insurance
Medical billing insurance is being touted as one of the fastest growing healthcare occupations in the United States today. As such, none of us really strangers to the term. However, there are still important aspects of medical billing insurance that we have yet to understand completely and doing so now might help us deal with our own billing and accounting woes, whether we are patients or doctors or insurance agents.
Below are some frequently asked questions about medical billing and the answers to them. Feel free to scroll down and find out more information about the lucrative career opportunity that is medical billing insurance.
What normally does medical billing entail?
Medical billing insurance is quite a broad concept. The term “medical billing insurance” encompasses, for the most part, all billing and accounts receivable management functions of a given health care provision concern.
There are actually numerous possibilities for you and your staff to handle the billing and accounts receivable of your practice. For one, you can have a third party company specializing in medical billing insurance to remotely access all your bill and statement generation functions only, leaving the accounts receivable management to the care of your own staff. Two, you can have everything done in-house and just hire a regular medical billing specialist to handle all billing and accounts receivable department right off the system already existing and established in your medical office.
Whatever arrangements are made and whatever system or systems you wind up using, the training and the need for medical billing insurance remain the same.
Is it a viable home-based business?
In a word, absolutely. The number of home-based medical billing companies are quite remarkable. However, contrary to what you might have heard or read about it, it is not that easy nor that quick to achieve some measure of success in work at home medical billing insurance. The FTC and the Better Business Bureau have issued an advisory against work at home medical billing insurance scams that seek only to cheat you out of your money. As much as possible, avoid ads that claim to make you rich overnight because medical billing insurance, no matter how lucrative a career, is not that lucrative as to make you rich overnight.
What is the difference between electronic claims submissions and billing?
Now this is a question that needs answering. Most people make the mistake of equating electronic claims submission with medical billing when in fact the two are distinct and wholly different. Medical billing insurance refers to billing and accounts receivable management whereas electronic claims submissions refer only to submitting electronic claims already produced by a biller to an insurance company or a clearinghouse.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Medical_Billing_Insurance.html
Below are some frequently asked questions about medical billing and the answers to them. Feel free to scroll down and find out more information about the lucrative career opportunity that is medical billing insurance.
What normally does medical billing entail?
Medical billing insurance is quite a broad concept. The term “medical billing insurance” encompasses, for the most part, all billing and accounts receivable management functions of a given health care provision concern.
There are actually numerous possibilities for you and your staff to handle the billing and accounts receivable of your practice. For one, you can have a third party company specializing in medical billing insurance to remotely access all your bill and statement generation functions only, leaving the accounts receivable management to the care of your own staff. Two, you can have everything done in-house and just hire a regular medical billing specialist to handle all billing and accounts receivable department right off the system already existing and established in your medical office.
Whatever arrangements are made and whatever system or systems you wind up using, the training and the need for medical billing insurance remain the same.
Is it a viable home-based business?
In a word, absolutely. The number of home-based medical billing companies are quite remarkable. However, contrary to what you might have heard or read about it, it is not that easy nor that quick to achieve some measure of success in work at home medical billing insurance. The FTC and the Better Business Bureau have issued an advisory against work at home medical billing insurance scams that seek only to cheat you out of your money. As much as possible, avoid ads that claim to make you rich overnight because medical billing insurance, no matter how lucrative a career, is not that lucrative as to make you rich overnight.
What is the difference between electronic claims submissions and billing?
Now this is a question that needs answering. Most people make the mistake of equating electronic claims submission with medical billing when in fact the two are distinct and wholly different. Medical billing insurance refers to billing and accounts receivable management whereas electronic claims submissions refer only to submitting electronic claims already produced by a biller to an insurance company or a clearinghouse.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Medical_Billing_Insurance.html
Medical Billing Software Review
Software computer programs used to help medical practices manage their finances – these are what medical billing software reviews are all about. But did you know that these kinds of software programs have actually been around for decades?
Medical billing software reviews are about as old as the industry itself, which actually dates back to the end of World War II. Today, medical billing software reviews are more aptly called medical practice management software or MPM software and could not be farther in terms of features compared to its older counterparts.
Medical Billing Software Review – Functions
The medical billing software is an invaluable tool of the medical billing specialist. The program covers a wide range of functions and options which all have their uses in the billing and accounts payable management. Some of these functions include:
* Tracking patient demographics, visits, and diagnoses
* Collecting, transmitting, and tracking billing information and insurance payments
* Managing appointment scheduling
* Generating a variety of reports
There are many more functions contained in medical billing software review and perhaps the most important is its capability to bring you into compliance with the sections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Medical billing software review may also specify increased security standards, ANSI billing formats and the like, all of which are part of the provisions of the HIPAA.
One thing you should note about medical billing software review though is that not all software packages available out there have all the capabilities mentioned above. In fact, most solutions may provide only partial HIPAA compliance so it’s important that you quiz your vendors carefully about HIPAA before you make any rash decisions.
A Wide Range of Benefits
HIPAA compliance is only part of a wide range of benefits that medical software review has to offer. Other important benefits include:
* Improved staff productivity – easy-to-use software means improved efficiency of your staff
* Increased patient and customer satisfaction – medical billing software review helps increase accuracy in data entry, adds more flexibility in scheduling, and provides better access to personal information
* Faster payment from insurers – paper claims usually take 30 to 60 days, electronic claims only take about 10 to 14 days
* Fewer errors in biling and insurance – correct and resubmit in hours, instead of weeks
Questions to ask when buying medical billing software
* Does the system handle scheduling quirks unique to your practice?
* Does the system recognize all the procedure and diagnostic codes your practice uses?
* Can the system handle multiple offices and multiple doctors?
* Can information be accessed from multiple locations?
* Does it include inventory tracking or the ability to manage several separate accounts?
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Medical_Billing_Software_Review.html
Medical billing software reviews are about as old as the industry itself, which actually dates back to the end of World War II. Today, medical billing software reviews are more aptly called medical practice management software or MPM software and could not be farther in terms of features compared to its older counterparts.
Medical Billing Software Review – Functions
The medical billing software is an invaluable tool of the medical billing specialist. The program covers a wide range of functions and options which all have their uses in the billing and accounts payable management. Some of these functions include:
* Tracking patient demographics, visits, and diagnoses
* Collecting, transmitting, and tracking billing information and insurance payments
* Managing appointment scheduling
* Generating a variety of reports
There are many more functions contained in medical billing software review and perhaps the most important is its capability to bring you into compliance with the sections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Medical billing software review may also specify increased security standards, ANSI billing formats and the like, all of which are part of the provisions of the HIPAA.
One thing you should note about medical billing software review though is that not all software packages available out there have all the capabilities mentioned above. In fact, most solutions may provide only partial HIPAA compliance so it’s important that you quiz your vendors carefully about HIPAA before you make any rash decisions.
A Wide Range of Benefits
HIPAA compliance is only part of a wide range of benefits that medical software review has to offer. Other important benefits include:
* Improved staff productivity – easy-to-use software means improved efficiency of your staff
* Increased patient and customer satisfaction – medical billing software review helps increase accuracy in data entry, adds more flexibility in scheduling, and provides better access to personal information
* Faster payment from insurers – paper claims usually take 30 to 60 days, electronic claims only take about 10 to 14 days
* Fewer errors in biling and insurance – correct and resubmit in hours, instead of weeks
Questions to ask when buying medical billing software
* Does the system handle scheduling quirks unique to your practice?
* Does the system recognize all the procedure and diagnostic codes your practice uses?
* Can the system handle multiple offices and multiple doctors?
* Can information be accessed from multiple locations?
* Does it include inventory tracking or the ability to manage several separate accounts?
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Medical_Billing_Software_Review.html
Billing Electronic Medical Software
Billing electronic medical software is an indispensable tool of the medical billing and coding specialist. However, not many small medical practices can afford them. High costs of billing electronic medical software have always been a barrier to its adoption among medical offices and clinics. In fact, a recent study by the American Academy of Family Practitioner’s Center for Health Information Technology (CHIT) shows that the average three-year cost for a traditional, non-ASP, integrated billing electronic medical software and practice management system is $68, 371 for a three-physician practice. That means a physician would have to spend $7,600 per year for his billing electronic medical software.
In order to address this need for low-priced but full-featured billing electronic medical software, vendors from all over are coming up with solutions and packages whose prices are based on the number of simultaneous users rather than the number of physicians in a practice.
Billing electronic medical software is packed with features that serve to help not only medical practitioners but medical billing and coding specialists as well, whether they are working for a large company specializing in medical office management or as independent, home-based professionals.
Billing and Management
Billing electronic medical software is designed to simplify the often complex principles of accounting and business management for you. So even if accounting and business management is not part of your formal education, billing electronic medical software can help you manage even without a degree in business.
The best things about billing electronic medical software are that you’ll be virtually working in a paperless environment. Doctors can simply code the charge while completing a chart note, or store directly in their PDA while away from the office. In both cases, the billing electronic medical software can receive direct feeds for the charge entry process.
Posting insurance and patient payments are also made easier. They can be done by simply reflecting open item charges and then allowing line item posting and adjusting for complete accuracy. In fact, just by posting one event, you can bill secondary insurance or transfer the balance to the patient’s responsibility just like that.
Electronic Patient Chart
With the use of billing electronic medical software, patient charts can be automated. Organization is developed to a level where even your chart folders are organized by groups of information. Now, you can visually identify that you have selected the correct electronic chart. You can also quickly find and review previous notes, current medications, past medical history, recent test results, and other patient documentation.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Billing_Electronic_Medical_Software.html
In order to address this need for low-priced but full-featured billing electronic medical software, vendors from all over are coming up with solutions and packages whose prices are based on the number of simultaneous users rather than the number of physicians in a practice.
Billing electronic medical software is packed with features that serve to help not only medical practitioners but medical billing and coding specialists as well, whether they are working for a large company specializing in medical office management or as independent, home-based professionals.
Billing and Management
Billing electronic medical software is designed to simplify the often complex principles of accounting and business management for you. So even if accounting and business management is not part of your formal education, billing electronic medical software can help you manage even without a degree in business.
The best things about billing electronic medical software are that you’ll be virtually working in a paperless environment. Doctors can simply code the charge while completing a chart note, or store directly in their PDA while away from the office. In both cases, the billing electronic medical software can receive direct feeds for the charge entry process.
Posting insurance and patient payments are also made easier. They can be done by simply reflecting open item charges and then allowing line item posting and adjusting for complete accuracy. In fact, just by posting one event, you can bill secondary insurance or transfer the balance to the patient’s responsibility just like that.
Electronic Patient Chart
With the use of billing electronic medical software, patient charts can be automated. Organization is developed to a level where even your chart folders are organized by groups of information. Now, you can visually identify that you have selected the correct electronic chart. You can also quickly find and review previous notes, current medications, past medical history, recent test results, and other patient documentation.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Billing_Electronic_Medical_Software.html
Sacramento Medical Billing Classes
Statistics show that medical billing and coding is one of the fastest growing occupations through 2012. Everywhere in the field of medicine, it’s always the same thing. Medical billers and coders are needed – whether it’s for insurance claims processing, electronic recording or general practice management.
The job of medical billing and coding specialists is in high demand. Medical offices, surgical centers, and other healthcare offices certainly needed the services that only professional medical billing specialists can offer. Yet, why is it that despite the reported high market demand for medical billers and coders in the medical field only very few ever really make it, let alone be hugely successful?
The answer lies in Sacramento medical billing classes.
The reason why individuals seeking jobs as medical billers and coders very rarely good and serious jobs practicing this type of profession is that only very few of them have the necessary experience and skills to convince doctors and other healthcare providers to hire them.
One thing you should note about Sacramento medical billing classes. It is an institution where trust is fostered. The basis of medical billing profession is trust. After all, you will be working in a field where the line between life and death is frequently crossed. Although you would be dealing mostly with the money and insurance aspects of medicine, it still goes without saying that your job deals with lives of people, of patients who are sick and need the care that doctors provide. And this is precisely why doctors would not just hire anyone who comes up to them to handle their billing and accounts payable and overall practice management.
Sure it’s true that Sacramento medical billing classes don’t necessarily have to include getting an MBA in order to find work. However, training is still a must and experience is an indispensable accessory to your resume. With a myriad of Sacramento medical billing classes options to choose from, getting that training is easier than ever. What you lack in experience, you can make up with knowledge and Sacramento medical billing classes give you just that.
2-Year Degree in 18 Months
There are various programs in Sacramento medical billing classes being offered. For instance, Heald College offers an 18-month associate’s degree for careers in medical billing as well as in business and technology. Their Sacramento medical billing classes also include a 12-month diploma and 6 to 9 month technical certifications.
Technical Degree
If an associate degree is not your first choice, you can also go for the tech track with your Sacramento medical billing classes. A technical degree from no less than ITT Technical Institute will help increase your chances of landing a good job in the medical billing profession.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Sacramento_Medical_Billing_Classes.html
The job of medical billing and coding specialists is in high demand. Medical offices, surgical centers, and other healthcare offices certainly needed the services that only professional medical billing specialists can offer. Yet, why is it that despite the reported high market demand for medical billers and coders in the medical field only very few ever really make it, let alone be hugely successful?
The answer lies in Sacramento medical billing classes.
The reason why individuals seeking jobs as medical billers and coders very rarely good and serious jobs practicing this type of profession is that only very few of them have the necessary experience and skills to convince doctors and other healthcare providers to hire them.
One thing you should note about Sacramento medical billing classes. It is an institution where trust is fostered. The basis of medical billing profession is trust. After all, you will be working in a field where the line between life and death is frequently crossed. Although you would be dealing mostly with the money and insurance aspects of medicine, it still goes without saying that your job deals with lives of people, of patients who are sick and need the care that doctors provide. And this is precisely why doctors would not just hire anyone who comes up to them to handle their billing and accounts payable and overall practice management.
Sure it’s true that Sacramento medical billing classes don’t necessarily have to include getting an MBA in order to find work. However, training is still a must and experience is an indispensable accessory to your resume. With a myriad of Sacramento medical billing classes options to choose from, getting that training is easier than ever. What you lack in experience, you can make up with knowledge and Sacramento medical billing classes give you just that.
2-Year Degree in 18 Months
There are various programs in Sacramento medical billing classes being offered. For instance, Heald College offers an 18-month associate’s degree for careers in medical billing as well as in business and technology. Their Sacramento medical billing classes also include a 12-month diploma and 6 to 9 month technical certifications.
Technical Degree
If an associate degree is not your first choice, you can also go for the tech track with your Sacramento medical billing classes. A technical degree from no less than ITT Technical Institute will help increase your chances of landing a good job in the medical billing profession.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Sacramento_Medical_Billing_Classes.html
Friday, February 9, 2007
Medical Billing System
The medical billing system is a complex system of codes and electronic records. Often, the job of the medical billing system professional is reduced to nothing more than sorting through paperwork by people who want to make you think that it’s easy being in this sort of business. We’ll tell you now: It is not.
There are actually two kinds of professions involved in medical billing systems. These are the medical coders and the medical billing agents. Although the jobs of each are distinctly related to each other, their functions to the medical billing system are actually quite different.
While medical coders are in charge of converting all types of healthcare-related encounters, such as services, tests, treatments, supplies, and procedures, into a set of numbers, the medical billing agent uses this coding system to match their claims. Medical billing system therefore is a combination of both medical coding and medical claims processing.
Medical Billing System: The Coding Process
Doctors would be quick to say that they’d rather collect payment from their patients right after the office visit or hospital stay. But the thing is it’s an unrealistic notion. Majority of their patients have health insurance and in order for doctors to get reimbursed fees for medical services rendered, they must first process it by filing a claim with the patient’s health insurance providers, managed care organizations, or government entities. To a doctor, this is just another headache on the list.
Medical billing system makes it so much easier. During the coding process, the job of the medical coder is to convert the notes written into patient’s medical records by doctors or physicians, or other healthcare providers. These notes often describe what type of treatment was provided for the patient. It is part of the medical billing system to convert these notes into alphanumeric codes, the language used by insurance providers in processing your claims.
There are over 10,000 codes available and the medical coder has to choose the right combination of codes in order to correctly file a claim.
Medical Billing System: The Biller’s Work
While choosing the correct diagnostic and procedure codes are in the hands of the medical coder, the other aspect of medical billing system which is making decisions to achieve optimal reimbursements falls under the responsibility of the medical biller.
A medical biller can often be likened to a medical practice’s income manager. He is trained to understand how the medical billing system industry works, especially when it involves health insurances. Thus, the medical biller will have to know about basic and major medical coverage plans, such as the Fee-for-Service Plans, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and the like.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Medical_Billing_System.html
There are actually two kinds of professions involved in medical billing systems. These are the medical coders and the medical billing agents. Although the jobs of each are distinctly related to each other, their functions to the medical billing system are actually quite different.
While medical coders are in charge of converting all types of healthcare-related encounters, such as services, tests, treatments, supplies, and procedures, into a set of numbers, the medical billing agent uses this coding system to match their claims. Medical billing system therefore is a combination of both medical coding and medical claims processing.
Medical Billing System: The Coding Process
Doctors would be quick to say that they’d rather collect payment from their patients right after the office visit or hospital stay. But the thing is it’s an unrealistic notion. Majority of their patients have health insurance and in order for doctors to get reimbursed fees for medical services rendered, they must first process it by filing a claim with the patient’s health insurance providers, managed care organizations, or government entities. To a doctor, this is just another headache on the list.
Medical billing system makes it so much easier. During the coding process, the job of the medical coder is to convert the notes written into patient’s medical records by doctors or physicians, or other healthcare providers. These notes often describe what type of treatment was provided for the patient. It is part of the medical billing system to convert these notes into alphanumeric codes, the language used by insurance providers in processing your claims.
There are over 10,000 codes available and the medical coder has to choose the right combination of codes in order to correctly file a claim.
Medical Billing System: The Biller’s Work
While choosing the correct diagnostic and procedure codes are in the hands of the medical coder, the other aspect of medical billing system which is making decisions to achieve optimal reimbursements falls under the responsibility of the medical biller.
A medical biller can often be likened to a medical practice’s income manager. He is trained to understand how the medical billing system industry works, especially when it involves health insurances. Thus, the medical biller will have to know about basic and major medical coverage plans, such as the Fee-for-Service Plans, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and the like.
http://www.medical-billing-advice.com/Medical_Billing_System.html
Medical Billing Courses
First things are always first. Even though medical billing has been named one of the fastest growing occupations in the medical field industry, this doesn’t mean that it’s that easy to get into. Before you can call yourself a true professional in medical billing in every sense of the word, first you must learn the ins and the outs of your chosen profession.
Fortunately, medical billing courses are not hard to find. Just log into any major search engine and type the words “medical billing courses” and you should be able to find a long list of online programs for medical billing training.
The biggest aspect of medical billing courses and training consists of learning medical terminology, numerical codes to ensure proper financial reimbursement, and health care records management skills. Health care records management skills are especially an integral aspect of medical billing courses since a major part of the medical biller’s job is to keep paperwork and payments flowing.
Medical billing courses are offered in vocational, educational, and training programs. Medical billing courses provide the labor market with qualified staff and provide young and old learner with education and training opportunities. Thus, medical billing courses provide anyone interested a new world of employment possibilities and new career paths at their fingertips.
Medical billing courses are two-fold. The theoretical aspect of medical billing courses can usually be found in vocational colleges and other training institutions that offer formal education. The other aspect is the one embraced by the practical. It is where application of knowledge and theories you learned from vocational school comes into play.
Medical billing courses often include externships where practical training takes place in approved enterprises which conclude training arrangements with the students. This provides a good training for learners to understand more deeply the inner workings of medical billing.
Once you have finished medical billing courses, your education does not stop there. To reach proficiency in the medical coding and billing business basic training, clinical supervision and continued professional development is essential. In fact, continuing education is an integral aspect of medical billing since technology in the medical field is constantly changing. How else could you keep up with the time?
Here are the typical course requirements for medical billing:
* Medical Office Procedures
* Keyboarding
* Medical Terminology
* Human Anatomy and Physiology
* Principles of Disease
* Health Structure and Function
* Health Care Records Management
* Medical Billing
* Medical Insurance
* Basic Coding ICD-9-CM
* CPT-4 HCPCS II, III
* DSM-IV (used only in psychotherapy)
* Health Care Laws and Ethics
* Basic Pharmacology
* Medical Transcription
* Clinical Practicum/Externship
* Certification Exam
Fortunately, medical billing courses are not hard to find. Just log into any major search engine and type the words “medical billing courses” and you should be able to find a long list of online programs for medical billing training.
The biggest aspect of medical billing courses and training consists of learning medical terminology, numerical codes to ensure proper financial reimbursement, and health care records management skills. Health care records management skills are especially an integral aspect of medical billing courses since a major part of the medical biller’s job is to keep paperwork and payments flowing.
Medical billing courses are offered in vocational, educational, and training programs. Medical billing courses provide the labor market with qualified staff and provide young and old learner with education and training opportunities. Thus, medical billing courses provide anyone interested a new world of employment possibilities and new career paths at their fingertips.
Medical billing courses are two-fold. The theoretical aspect of medical billing courses can usually be found in vocational colleges and other training institutions that offer formal education. The other aspect is the one embraced by the practical. It is where application of knowledge and theories you learned from vocational school comes into play.
Medical billing courses often include externships where practical training takes place in approved enterprises which conclude training arrangements with the students. This provides a good training for learners to understand more deeply the inner workings of medical billing.
Once you have finished medical billing courses, your education does not stop there. To reach proficiency in the medical coding and billing business basic training, clinical supervision and continued professional development is essential. In fact, continuing education is an integral aspect of medical billing since technology in the medical field is constantly changing. How else could you keep up with the time?
Here are the typical course requirements for medical billing:
* Medical Office Procedures
* Keyboarding
* Medical Terminology
* Human Anatomy and Physiology
* Principles of Disease
* Health Structure and Function
* Health Care Records Management
* Medical Billing
* Medical Insurance
* Basic Coding ICD-9-CM
* CPT-4 HCPCS II, III
* DSM-IV (used only in psychotherapy)
* Health Care Laws and Ethics
* Basic Pharmacology
* Medical Transcription
* Clinical Practicum/Externship
* Certification Exam
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