Reader Question:
Assigning Payers
Published on Wed Aug 01, 2001
Question: When setting up our billing department, is it more efficient to assign full responsibility for each payer to one staff member?
Arizona Subscriber
Answer: Yes, it is more efficient to assign insurance companies to one person because the individual will learn the rules of the particular carrier. Wonderful relationships are kindled between the payer and the member of staff who has frequent contact, and the reimbursement process becomes easier. As a result of this relationship the rules are shared more readily and, in some instances, waived.
However, the information gathered from a payer should be shared by everyone in your office, in case of illness or termination of the person who usually deals with that carrier. To ensure this, payer files must include notes about who was contacted, when and what was discussed.
