As insurance companies scrutinize reimbursement submissions more closely, clinicians are enduring longer turnaround times to collect money on claims.
The simple installation of an integrated EMR can transform those extended waits for funds into a low-delay reimbursement system and Nitin Chhoda explains it here, in this article.
EMRs enable faster reimbursements and can detect claims with potential problems before they’re submitted, virtually eliminating denials.
The majority of denials and contestations can be traced to simple human errors in data entry and by preventable problems that can be avoided by verifying a client’s insurance coverage before services are rendered.
An integrated electronic medical record submits claims electronically to arrive almost instantaneously at the intended destination and can detect an extensive array of errors and notify practitioners prior to submission.
Human Data Entry Mistakes an EMR Can Help Avoid
Mismatched, incorrect procedure codes and improper patient information that doesn’t reflect the information for the client’s complaint is a common cause of denials. An example would be listing a procedure for a male when the client is female.
Each insurance provider has its own set of rules for reimbursement submissions. That includes specific claim forms. An infraction results in an automatic denial until the correct forms are submitted.
Health insurance providers are requesting prior authorization for an increasing number of treatments and procedures. If the clinic fails to obtain authorization, the insurance company can refuse to pay clinicians anything.
It happens infrequently, but a patient may need to see their healthcare professional twice in the same day to receive the same or similar treatments. Practitioners encounter difficulties when submitting these types of claims. Insurance companies view this as a duplicate reimbursement request and will reject it automatically.
It would seem like common sense, but clinicians who don’t file reimbursement claims in a timely manner will forfeit payment. Practitioners have one year to file their claim and such oversights can cost clinics thousands of dollars.
Check the Facts Before Treatment Begins
In a time of high unemployment and loss of benefits, it’s essential for practices to verify insurance coverage and client information before the patient ever reaches the clinic. An EMR provides the means to accomplish these and other tasks with alacrity, reimbursement claims included.
Insurance coverage that has lapsed, been terminated, wasn’t in force when the patient received services, and clients not eligible for coverage represent a major reimbursement problem for practitioners. All of that information can be ascertained easily prior to the patient’s appointment.
Many healthcare insurance providers are offering basic or minimal services and few patients understand their coverage or limitations. It’s imperative that clinicians determine the type of treatments covered under each insurance plan.
What constitutes a reasonable fee for practitioners and insurance companies varies widely. Each insurer has its own guidelines on the amount that can be reimbursed for specific treatments and reimbursement claims that exceed which will be rejected for unreasonable fees.
Clinicians and insurers also differ on procedures. Ordering a CT scan instead of a less expensive x-ray can result in a determination of not medically necessary by the insurance company and loss of income for the practitioner.
An EMR represents the best solution for a low-delay reimbursement system. It has the tools to identify an extensive array of human errors that will delay or prevent claim payments.
An integrated EMR is the key to verifying patient information and insurance coverage to ensure practitioners receive the reimbursement to which they’re entitled.