How Practice Management Systems Reduce Billing & Coding Errors
There’s no denying it: the rising costs of healthcare and the growing complexity of insurance coverage make medical billing and payments a stressor for both patients and providers.
According to a 2023 survey by Zelis and Hanover Research, nearly half (41%) of consumers are significantly frustrated trying to address billing errors, and a large majority (80%) believe there should be a more streamlined process for addressing them.
Tackling these challenges requires a focus on improving billing accuracy and efficiency. If you’re unsure how to do that and where to start, creating a free account with
billrMD may be the perfect first step.
Boosting Billing and Coding Accuracy with Technology
When dealing with processes as complex and high-stakes as medical billing, embracing modern solutions is the way to go. For example, billrMD, a robust billing system integrated with a medical practice management software, can streamline your processes, enhance accuracy, and reduce the risk of costly errors.
Here are several ways advanced technology can enhance your billing and coding accuracy, reduce claim rejections, and boost reimbursement rates:
Automated Coding Suggestions
A medical billing and coding software with automated coding tools analyzes patient records to suggest appropriate codes for diagnoses and procedures. This feature reduces the likelihood of human error by providing real-time recommendations that align with the latest coding standards.
By using automated coding suggestions, your practice ensures that every service is accurately represented and billed correctly.
Built-In Checks and Alerts
An advanced billing software comes with built-in checks and alerts to identify potential errors before submitting claims. billrMD, for example, spots errors early and returns the claims to you for correction and resubmission.
The system cross-references codes, flags inconsistencies, and alerts you about potential issues, allowing you to catch and correct them promptly.
EHR Integration
Seamless integration between billing software and electronic health record (EHR) systems is especially helpful for maintaining accuracy and efficiency. It ensures accurate data transfer across both platforms, reducing discrepancies between patient records and billing information.
Integrating your billing and EHR systems also reduces the risk of data entry errors, facilitates accurate coding, and streamlines the billing process, ultimately leading to more reliable financial and clinical outcomes.
Must-Have Features for Your Medical Billing and Coding Software
When choosing a billing software for your medical practice, billing company, or laboratory, you must pick the one that best meets your needs. With a multitude of options available in the market, you must focus on the key features that will make the most impact on your billing and coding accuracy:
- ICD-10 and CPT Code Updates: Staying current with the latest code sets is essential. Your billing and practice management system should automatically update ICD-10 and CPT codes to reflect the latest industry standards.
- Cross-Referencing Tools: Built-in tools that cross-reference codes against common billing and coding errors help prevent mistakes before they occur. These tools highlight potential discrepancies and suggest corrections, allowing your staff to make informed decisions.
- Customizable Templates and Guidelines: Each practice has unique billing and coding needs. Customizable templates and guidelines allow practices to tailor the software to their specific requirements, ensuring consistency and accuracy in billing practices.
- Electronic Claims Submission: Direct submission of digital claims to insurance companies can minimize the risk of manual errors that often occur with paper-based processes.
- Paper Claims Assistance: Switching to a purely digital billing workflow can take time, and rushing through the process could lead to inaccuracies and oversight. If you’re still doing paper claim submissions, choose a system that accommodates and simplifies it. billrMD, for example, fills out the CMS-1500 form for you, so you can just print it out and mail it in.
Medical Billing and Coding Best Practices
In addition to investing in a tried-and-tested practice management software, healthcare practices can adopt several best practices to minimize billing and coding errors further and maximize claims reimbursements:
- Regularly Train Your Billing Staff: Continuous education on new codes, regulations, and software updates is vital for maintaining accuracy in medical billing. Ensure your billing staff members are well-versed in the latest industry standards and practices by scheduling regular training and refresher sessions with them.
- Utilize Presubmission Error Checking: Leveraging the built-in error-checking tools of practice management systems helps you catch mistakes early, reducing the likelihood of claim denials and reimbursement delays.
- Implement a Review Process for All Claims: Establish a thorough review process to ensure all claims are entirely on point and error-free before submission. You can streamline the process by customizing your billing software to align with your specific workflows and coding requirements.
End Costly Billing Errors with billrMD
Incorporating the right technology into your practice is essential for reducing billing and coding errors. If you’re still struggling with denials and delays due to inaccuracies, it might be time to reevaluate your current billing and coding system.
Don’t let outdated tools hold your practice back. Leave billing mistakes in the past and step into the future of accurate claims processing with billrMD! With our 99% first-pass acceptance rate, billrMD gets your claims right the first time, every time.
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