How Professional Medical Billing & Coding Can Save Time For Ophthalmologists

Although ophthalmologists specialize in eye health, that doesn’t mean they only deal with one kind of issue in their practices.  Every patient visit requires expertise in ophthalmology billing and coding, but many ophthalmologists would prefer to see patients. Some of the many ailments and needs handled in their offices include:

• Cataracts
• Dry eyes
• Eye-related complications from diabetes
• Glaucoma
• Macular degeneration

Also, people who have eye infections also often have to visit ophthalmologist practices. Nearly a million eye infections per year are severe enough to warrant going to a doctor or hospital for treatment. Many of those cases are related to improper contact lens usage.

Clearly, these health professionals have a lot to do without having to focus on the intricacies of ophthalmology coding and bills. Hiring third-party billing and coding professionals to take care of those things allows for greater productivity every day.

 

Eye Doctors Can Stop Engaging With Insurance Companies

One thing that really slows doctors down in regards to seeking payments is that they have to communicate with representatives from insurance companies. A large percentage of the time spent doing that may involve being placed on hold or being transferred to different departments.  These realities reduce the overall time spent with patients.

However, because billing experts devote their workdays to only one thing, they can achieve better results while freeing up eye physicians to do what they do best. Also, due to the fact that billing experts spend so much of their time securing payments, they naturally know what to say and what kinds of information to have on hand to enjoy the best outcomes.

 

Reduced Struggles When Transitioning to Electronic Health Records

Health professionals representing all specialties are expected to switch over to electronic health records, or EHR. One major advantage of EHR is it’s easier to retrieve and send a patient’s records if that individual has gotten treatment in other places.

Companies that handle ophthalmology billing and coding frequently offer supplementary services that help practices understand how best to make the transition in ways that suit budgets and fit with other practical needs. For example, they may provide EHR consultations, plus assist with implementation of an electronic health records platform.

These services save time by helping ophthalmologists avoid common pitfalls and know what to expect before beginning to use a new system. The companies that provide them can also offer troubleshooting when needed, which reduces frustration.

 

Less Time Spent Seeking Late Payments

Getting outsourced help for ophthalmology medical billing is also essential when a facility is having trouble maintaining profitability because of a higher than average number of outstanding invoices. The collections process is very time-consuming and can take up even more minutes in a day than dealing with insurers.

Billing specialists stay committed to resolving collections-related issues. Then, eye specialists are more likely to be profitable, which in turn cuts down on the stress felt by everyone working there.

These are just a few of the many reasons why getting professional help for ophthalmology billing and coding is a genuine time saver. The investment it requires is usually well worth the money spent. It allows ophthalmologists to maximize patient care while minimizing paperwork.

How Does Outsourced Medical Billing Help Doctors?

It’s often hard to convince physicians that they should hire an outside company to handle medical billing and coding instead of taking care of it in-house. After all, doctors use the triage system to prioritize patients according to the severity of their needs. They are likely to use that way of thinking in other aspects of life, too. If there is not an existing and clearly identified problem associated with that part of their practice, they probably won’t feel very compelled to take action.

However, there are numerous reasons that getting assistance with medical billing and coding is very advantageous to people who practice medicine. When health professionals are more aware of the reasons why that’s the case, they’ll be more likely to hire help before it’s too late.

A Shorter Medical Billing Cycle

According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics collected in 2015, 83.6% of adults and 93% of kids polled said they went to visit a doctor within the past year. Skilled doctors are constantly in demand, but even those who are very busy may have difficulty remaining profitable if they consistently deal with lengthy billing cycles.

Third-party companies that handle medical billing services can speed up collections and help maintain a shorter overall billing cycle. That’s one of the reasons why physicians who are initially reluctant to outsource for medical billing and coding because they view it as an extra expense realize that doing so is actually well worth the money.

A Reduced Number of Rejected Medical Billing Claims

People who have even a small level of familiarity with the medical billing industry know it requires communicating with insurance companies and submitting the proper paperwork. Otherwise, claims could get rejected, increasing the amount of time before doctors see payments for the work they do.

A doctor’s practice characterized by a high percentage of rejected claims could begin operating at a loss. If that’s the case and the problem persists for too long, busy practices may have to close.

However, companies that specialize in physician billing services have a commitment to getting payment for each claim. The representatives who work for those entities know the elements that are necessary for claims to get paid quickly and will do what they can to achieve ongoing success.

Less Medical Billing & Coding Paperwork for Doctors and Support Staff

While in medical school, most doctors probably didn’t think about the amount of paperwork involved with being a physician. Medical billing and coding probably was not something they planned for in their future typical workdays, because they were just thinking about treating patients.

Hiring a specialty company to handle that side of the career represents a substantial benefit for doctors who want to be more productive. Furthermore, it reduces the burden on support staff members who may be tasked with handling the bills but could be more useful if taking care of other responsibilities.

As you can see from this short but relevant list, getting outside help with medical billing and coding is a good move for doctors. That’s especially true for medical professionals who want to focus on patient care instead of talking to insurance representatives and filing paperwork.