In an age where something as basic as supermarkets feature touch screen computers, price scanners and self checkout stations, should anything less be expected when visiting a doctor or a hospital? Health care is on the crossroads of new technological changes and an in-depth research. Small practices, to group practices and clinics are now learning about and using technology in their everyday office activities. In the medical field, a physicians’ time is precious. Inefficient offices harm the profitability of the practice. When majority of the staff ‘s time is spent filing claims, billing, scheduling, and collecting, it means there’s less time for patients (the customers). Medical billing software makes the office work of a medical practice more streamlined and efficient, and helps transforming it into an efficient office. A medical billing software does it all, from scheduling to billing to scheduling one program.
A good medical billing suite will include; medical billing software, medical scheduling software, medical office software and medical management software. With all of these nearly all of the typical clerical functions in the office can be automated and centralized. Imagine being able to make or change an appointment, process payments, check outstanding accounts, file and check insurance claims, send billing statements and invoices and track collections all from the same program. All of these tasks are necessary and can take hours to complete each day. So much time and effort can be saved by using the right medical billing software.
Medical billing software can be a standalone function or integrated with other aspects of medical practice such as patient medical records. It can be linked to the laboratory and other ancillary service areas. It can also interface with software that analyzes claims for completeness, accuracy and probability of being edited by Medicare. More and more medical providers are turning to electronic medical records. Ancillary equipment such as x-ray machines, laboratory testing equipment and other patient testing equipment and services will soon be linked electronically to the patient’s medical record.
Medical billing software has become more sophisticated, and many operations previously performed manually are now being linked to, or included in, billing software packages. Unlike basic software which relies heavily on user knowledge, judgment and entry skills, informational software uses internal data bases and dictionaries to increase productivity and minimize the number of entry errors. Medical billing software packages with no, or limited, data base and dictionary capabilities can be linked to other independent software packages specifically designed to meet a particular billing need. For example, software capable of recalling all diagnosis codes (ICD-9 codes) and all procedure codes is available. Related software packages can be linked to billing software or used to create dictionaries containing limited coding information.
Another characteristic of informational billing software is the ability to recall patient and provide identifying information and in some cases, the service items on the last claim submitted for payment. The user can then update the last bill by merely adding line items to the claim or deleting them. Adding line items to a claim is facilitated by the software’s data bases or dictionaries. As the user enters a code or service number, the system’s software automatically recalls the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes, charge information and other pertinent information stored in the software’s database(s). If the procedure code or diagnosis code is not in the software’s dictionaries, the software can be configured to accept additional codes and information or it can limit choices to those in the system. With a few keyboard entries the user can create a new claim using new information and information already stored within the system.
Medical billing is also an increasingly popular office or home-based small business opportunity that involves using skills and knowledge in medical terminology, insurance claims, and customer service to ensure that physicians and clinics receive payment from patients and insurance companies. Whether working from home based small-businesses or at large hospitals, every medical biller utilizes the medical billing software.
Though still referred to as medical billing software, today electronic medical billing software is also more accurately called medical practice management software and covers many functions. Up-to-date medical billing software will generate a variety of reports, based on data, manage appointments, as well as collect, transmit, and track billing information and payments.
It is rightly said, The greatest breakthroughs come at the intersection of two different disciplines”. Medical billing software has made a breakthrough in combining business skills with medical practice and providing medical billing software that not only meets medical billing needs but also provides a template for software that any business could benefit from. Now, more can be accomplished in less time allowing doctors and nurses to focus on what’s important attending to their patients. Using a medical billing software will lead to fewer hours spent at the office after it’s closed.
