By George Conomikes, CEO and president of Conomikes Associates, Inc.
The key to improve front–desk collections is preparation. If your front desk does not collect from a patient while at the practice, then your results will include less revenue and weak cash flow, coupled with more work. Here's how to maximize your revenue results for collections.
Review the accounts receivable with the names of scheduled patients. Patients with outstanding balances should be given a reminder call that includes a reminder on the outstanding balance. These patients should be given the name and number of a person on your billing staff.
You may prefer to couple this with Step 1. All accounts of those patients scheduled should be reviewed. Most of the following three activities can be done with assistance from your clearinghouse and / or practice management system. For each patient:
Many practices are unaware that their clearinghouse systems can provide data on patient eligibility, deductibles and co-payments. The following are examples of leading clearinghouse companies who provide the usual claims submission functions as well as the data being sought in Step 2: RealMed; Gateway; Navicure; and ZirMed. Their customary charges, including all these services, are usually in the range of $80 to $125 per physician, per month.
These preparatory steps will lessen pressures on your front desk staff and will result in much improved collections results.
For more information on this topic, you may contact the author at: Mr. George Conomikes, c/o Conomikes Associates, Inc. 990 Highland Dr. Suite 110A San Diego, CA 92075, call (858) 720-0379 or (800)421-6512 or fax (858) 720-0437.
Have questions? Contact us
This item has been added to Shared Cart
This item was not added because your email was removed from this shared cart.
Item added to subscription