Practice Management Alert

Well-trained billers may be your biggest assets toward improved collections. With the decreases in patient visits and reimbursement that many practices are experiencing, capturing every dollar you can is essential. So now is the time to evaluate and focus on training your staff to be the best collectors they can be. The problem: Collections can be very tedious and difficult, especially for someone who has never had experience dealing with patients or payers directly. Collections training is very important, now more than ever, says Connie Treonze, practice administrator for Associated Orthopaedics in Union, N.J. The insurance companies [are] feverishly finding ways not to pay providers. If a staff member is not appealing and researching the denied claim, it will be a financial disaster for the practice. Collections in general, and good training, are so important now because of the economy, agrees Marge McQuade, CMSCS, CMM, a consultant and director of [...]