Billing Methodology that Gets You Paid in Full and On Time Most Watched Videos>>
"Increasing complexity of billing creates opportunities for the payers to benefit at the expense of the providers. Endless claim denials, payment delays, and post-payment audits are all too familiar symptoms of dilettante medical billing. Doctors require professional solutions."
-Sigmund Miller, DC
Executive Director
Association of New Jersey Chiropractors
According to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), an overall claims submission error rate in 2005 reached 67 percent, resulting in $285 million in improper payments. Naturally, a similarly huge amount was also underpaid.
Ideally, the billing encounter should be viewed as a win-win situation. But if you are a practice owner or billing manager who has spent time "in the trenches," you must know that this is simply not the case. Insurance companies adopt an adversarial approach to providers. Under the payer's "system," the goal is to keep as much as possible of the provider's money without violating the timely payment laws. Payers delay claims processing, underpay, return for payment refunds, and impose penalties.
If you're like most practice owners and managers who hit "low collections," you might blame your setbacks on insurance companies or billing personnel. Don't. By placing the blame elsewhere, you'll cheat yourself of a valuable opportunity to improve your profitability. Instead, take a good, hard, dispassionate look at what you're doing. Chances are you'll find the fault lies somewhere within your office: your attitude, your processes, or your technology. Our research has shown this to be particularly true for practice owners or managers experiencing any of the following common billing problems:
Insurance companies . . .
increase your denial rates ignore your appeals audit your medical notes and impose refunds and fines
You . . .
lack consistent and integrated billing methodology employ incompetent and/or lazy billing service that collects fees on easily paid claims and forfeits difficult claims without follow-up are unable to identify and discover specific reasons for specific underpayments
While the telltale signs of billing underachievement may appear countless, the true causes are generally quite specific and their roots can be found in the overall approach you take to the billing process.
Payer's Strategies to Derail Billing Efforts
In the "provider-payer dance"-Billing Precision's metaphor for a claim payment interaction-there are always two systems at work: the provider's system and the payer's system. To lead in this process, you must know and apply a billing system that works. Merely submitting claims and placing yourself in the arms of the payer, and waiting to get paid, is not enough.
Whether you lead or follow in the provider-payer dance depends on how effective your system is. To take control, you must be fully aware of what's happening at each step along the way. You also must be comfortable in a leadership role. Billing Precision's experience shows that most practice owners and managers struggle and often fail because they do not know how to be in control of the payment process.
Payers have developed a simple but effective bag of tricks to seize control of and rapidly derail a significant portion of billing efforts. They typically employ five strategies:
1. Increase billing service costs with added complexity and new denial reasons.
2. Reduce allowed fees.
3. Increase leverage over providers through consolidation.
4. Underpay claims.
5. Return for post-payment audits, demand refunds, and impose penalties.
Chiropractic has especially demanding conditions in terms of office automation because of high processing volumes, low average claim payment value, and a uniquely high likelihood for audit. First, chiropractors see many more patients than any other specialists, often exceeding the average family practice visit frequency by an order of magnitude. Chiropractic is also the fastest growing specialty in terms of Medicare reimbursements that grew from 11.2 million services and $255 allowed in 1994 to 21 million services and $683 million allowed in 2004. Hence, simplistic SOAP note management and traditional electronic patient scheduling alone are not powerful enough for meaningful productivity improvements.
Next, at an average reimbursement is $28, 82% of chiropractors supplement their revenue with retail product sales at the point of service. So, chiropractic billing software must be able to handle the widest range of financial arrangements, including insurance and cash payments, retails sales, and care plans. Third, chiropractors face the highest rate of post-payment audits. Hence the special importance of audit risk and pristine SOAP note management techniques. Chiropractors need the most sophisticated office management infrastructure, yet they have the least extra cash to afford it.
Billing Methodology for Improved Performance
Billing Precision shows a better way.You may not get every claim paid - but, by using our service, you'll get more claims paid and you'll certainly know what's happening on each step. And, more importantly, you'll know what to do about it!
Contact us for an interview with a Billing Precision representative and see a comprehensive online demo of our Practice Management System today.
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Credentials and your curriculum vitae - July 6, 2010
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From classmate to colleague - July 6, 2010
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Better Care, Bigger Savings Rely on Case Management Approach - July 5, 2010
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ACOM Health Announces Rebate Program on Purchases of RAPID Chiropractic Software Suite - July 4, 2010
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Practical Documentation: Internal documentation audits - July 4, 2010
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Insurance Waivers and Maintenance Treatment - July 4, 2010
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What is your exit strategy? - July 4, 2010
Given current economic conditions, you now have numerous issues to assess while planning for retirement. As you approach retirement age, you rightfully hope to realize the benefits of the years of equity you have built in your practice. ...
Investing in your future - July 4, 2010
In this recession, beginning a specialty diplomate program or obtaining a certification is one way to invest in your future today. You can enhance your education and expertise as well as expand the services your practice can offer to new and existing patients - thereby potentially increasing your bottom line....
Practical Documentation: Doing the right thing the wrong way can cost you - July 3, 2010
It happens when you attempt to do the right thing for patients with no insurance or limited benefits by "tweaking" your documentation and coding to result in an overall lesser charge for the patient. ...
Chiro Biz Quiz: Build a bigger, better market - July 3, 2010
There are several reasons for opening multiple locations. The most obvious is to see more patients. Many businesses reach a point at which their patient base stops increasing. This is known as "burning through your market." Adding locations or acquiring other practices is often the best way to deal with this problem....
Hepful hints to maximize collections - June 20, 2010
With insurance companies tightening their belts during this economic crisis, well-managed, efficient billing and collections systems are more important than ever. It won't matter how many new patients you get a month or how many patient visits you have a week if you are not collecting the money you are entitled to. ...
Why do I need a patient treatment plan? - June 20, 2010
Patient treatment plans have become a standard documentation requirement. Not only can they can help you get paid faster, but they can also prevent post-payment refunds....
Should I practice here or there? - June 20, 2010
How to choose an optimum office location? Begin the process of choosing the optimum office location by asking yourself five simple questions....
West Chicago chiropractor charged with health fraud - June 14, 2010
A West Chicago chiropractor has been charged with health-care fraud in an 18-count federal grand-jury indictment....
A Billion Dollar Opportunity for Chiropractors - June 5, 2010
Truck driver exams, Department of Transportation (DOT) and non-DOT alcohol and drug testing are the vehicle for all chiropractic physicians to significantly increase their income and fill open appointments. ...
Just the facts, ma'am - May 16, 2010
Historically, case management has relied on the individual physician's interpretation of how the patient feels - for diagnosing the problem and for treating it - with treatment continuing until the patient feels better and/or the symptoms go away. ...
Double your patient volume - May 16, 2010
Dr. Hans uses the integrated ACOM Health's RAPID Chiropractic Documentation & Practice Management software suite to virtually eliminate the need for paper documents. ...
Is cash really king? - April 29, 2010
The debate over whether to maintain an insurance-based practice or convert to a cash basis is one that doesn't go away. The fact is, there isn't one universal answer. The right decision relates to an amalgam of skill sets, objectives, and knowledge, and what is right for one practice might be wrong for another. ...
Coding Q&A: What is ghost billing and coding? - March 10, 2010
Ghost billing and coding occurs when a healthcare provider or equipment supplier bills an insurance carrier for a procedure that never took place or for a product that was never provided to the patient....
ACOM Health Chiropractic Software Now Available as Individual Modules; Doctors Pick Entry Point, Build out to Powerful Total Office Suite - March 3, 2010
ACOM Health has inaugurated a program through which doctors can purchase and implement an expanded version of its award-winning chiropractic software solution on a module-by-module basis, with the opportunity to build out to the full solution suite at whatever pace their practices can absorb and/or afford....
How Going to a Chiropractor Can Increase Your Health Insurance Premiums - February 22, 2010
Visiting a chiropractor for a routine adjustment might be viewed by your insurer as a sign of some "underlying medical condition," and give justification for jacking up your rates by as much as 25%....
Billing for Modalities - February 16, 2010
Q: I am concerned about billing for modalities, as they seem more likely to be denied than paid. What can I do to get paid, and is there something else I should be doing to help the process?...
TENSnet offers free electrotherapy billing and coding webinars - February 16, 2010
TENSnet, a leading online wholesale website for TENS, electrodes and other chiropractic equipment is sponsoring free weekly webinars to chiropractic professionals and their staff....
Chiropractic visits lead to higher premium - February 3, 2010
Anthem Blue Cross charged a healthy Hollywood resident 25% more for insurance coverage because she sees a chiropractor from time to time. This is one reason we're talking about healthcare reform....
ACOM Health Chiropractic Business Services Group Offers Revolutionary 200 Percent ROI Guarantee - January 30, 2010
The ACOM Health Chiropractic Business Services Group has introduced a "true measurement" performance guarantee assuring that a practice will realize at least 200 percent return on its investment in services or ACOM Health will restore the difference between the actual return and the target results....
Learning from your peers - January 18, 2010
Being a chiropractor comes with a unique set of challenges - advice comes from a lot of sources on how best to handle practice concerns. But are you listening to the right people?...
There is no better time to be a chiropractor - January 18, 2010
With the stresses people are facing everyday - including but not limited to emotional, chemical, and physical stress - you must realize there is no better time than now to be a chiropractor....
The truth about insurance practices vs. cash practices - January 12, 2010
Here is a view concerning insurance practices and "cash" practices that is different from what you might traditionally hear....
Looking Back at the Crystal Ball: Practice Technology Four Years Later - December 1, 2009
What was controversial four years ago, but not anymore? How about the following three statements: (1) More chiropractors will adopt electronic documentation in the near future. (2) Medicare will increase audits of chiropractors....
ChiroTouch launches "stimulus package" webinar series to educate chiropractors - November 3, 2009
ChiroTouch, the world's leader in practice management software solutions for chiropractors, recently began conducting a series of webinars to address the complexities of the government's stimulus package....
Sauer Family Chiropractic of Kaneohe Hawaii Chooses Alphamed Solutions to Provide Medical Billing Services to Improve Billing and Increase Cash Flow - November 2, 2009
Sauer Family Chiropractic is very pleased with the level of service, responsiveness, and improved practice revenue and collection provided by Alphamed....
AcuMedSpa Holdings, Inc. Begins Using AcuClaims, Inc, for All Insurance Verification and Billing Services - November 2, 2009
Acumedspa Holdings, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: AMSZ), which owns and operates multiple Medical Spa locations throughout South Florida has agreed to begin using AcuClaims for 100 % of insurance verification and billing services. ...
Ethical Purchasing and Selling by DCs - November 2, 2009
We would like to suggest another way of looking at ethical purchasing - from a chiropractic professional viewpoint....
Chiropractic Marketing Online Coach Launches First-of-a-Kind Wealth Club for Chiropractors - November 2, 2009
Chiropractic marketing expert, Dr. Matthew Loop, launches a new, first-of-a-kind club aimed at helping fellow chiropractors improve their income using the internet, more specifically affiliate marketing. ...
Nuesoft Technologies Unveils New Electronic Health Record NueMD HER(R) Gives Company Total Clinical and Administrative Solution - November 1, 2009
NueMD is the only combined EHR/practice management solution on the market that uses an Internet-based technology. This means that it is not delivered through a Web browser, but via a direct connection that avoids public networks for ultimate security and speed....
Team Tips: Staff actions affect patient retention - November 1, 2009
Retention depends on the relation-ships you build, how well you educate your patients, your attention to detail, your ability to follow through with your promises and your staff's attitude and behavior toward your patients....
Managing your practice effectively and efficiently - November 1, 2009
To succeed in any business, you need to separate yourself from the competition. Your product or service needs to be more effective and efficient than your competitors'....
Coding questions: When should you ask for insurance information? - November 1, 2009
Should my CA ask for insurance information when a patient makes initial contact with the office?...
Surviving and thriving in tough times--How to recession-proof your practice - November 1, 2009
We may not know for certain if the nation is yet facing the "Big R" (recession), but there is little doubt we are in the midst of tough economic times. And as individual discretionary incomes shrink, it is more important than ever for chiropractors to strengthen their business and shore up their customer base....
Don't cry over spilled milk! Learn from the mistakes 15 DCs admit to making - November 1, 2009
Chiropractic Economics asked its readers to fess up and tell us about their blunders. We think their confessions can help keep you on the "straight and narrow" in managing your practice....
The Ultimate Chiropractic Ads - An Indispensable Marketing Tool for Chiropractors - November 1, 2009
The Ultimate Chiropractic Ads (http://www.ultimatechiropracticads.com) have been available to chiropractors around the world for over a year now. In that year, the economic downturn has put a damper on many businesses....
ACA supports bill repealing 'flawed' Medicare payment formula - November 1, 2009
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has joined with other provider groups to support legislation, S. 1776, introduced in Congress on Oct. 13 by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (R-Mich.) that would permanently repeal the "flawed" formula that determines Medicare reimbursement rates. ...
Ask the Attorney: Avoid fraud allegations - October 31, 2009
You are correct that you are responsible for the codes you claim. Wrong codes send signals to insurers and could cause them to investigate for fraud or abuse....
What is PIP Coverage? - October 31, 2009
The state of Florida is what is known as a "no fault" state for automobile accidents. This means if you are in an auto accident in Florida, regardless of who is at fault for the collision, you look to your own automobile insurer to pay a portion of your medical expenses and wage loss under your PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage for any injuries you received in the accident....
Response Mail Express Helps Chiropractors Drive New Business Using Innovative Direct Mail Tactics - October 31, 2009
With the aging of the Baby Boomers well underway in our nation, chiropractic professionals will see more patients, and more competition, over the next decade....
Broomfield CO Chiropractor Tells Patients to 'Pay What You Think I'm Worth' - October 21, 2009
A Broomfield CO Chiropractor is reaching out to local patients with a rather unique offer. He says, "Pay what you think I'm worth for treatment". ...
Chiropractors Are in the Wrong Business -- The Business of Marketing - October 21, 2009
Like it or not, most health professionals are in the wrong business - chiropractors included. It makes little difference whether you have DC or MD after your name; the rules are the same. The business into which health professionals have stumbled is marketing. ...
ACOM Health Announces Patient Education Software; Designed to Encourage Chiropractic Treatment Plan Compliance - October 17, 2009
ACOM Health today announces new Patient Education software module for its Chiropractic Software suite that is designed to keep patients returning for their full series of office visits and to motivate them to faithfully perform their prescribed home exercise regimens between visits....
Finance and Taxes: Changing accounting methods midstream - October 13, 2009
The funny thing about federal tax laws is they require transactions to be handled in a certain way. Accounting methods affect when something is deductible, not whether it is deductible....
Chiro8000 Announces New Client Website for Service, Support, and Training at Forte360.com - October 7, 2009
Forte Holdings, a leading provider of healthcare software solutions in the United States, has released its new client portal website, www.forte360.com. It is designed to be of service for software users of the best in class Chiro8000....
ACOM Health Debuts Latest Chiropractic Practice Management Software; Integrates Seamlessly with Documentation Software - October 5, 2009
ACOM Health has re-engineered and completely rewritten the Practice Management module of its Chiropractic software suite to streamline and simplify critical front office processes and provide seamless integration with the suite's clinical documentation software, it was announced today by General Manager Mark Firmin....
Pilot study finds chiropractic care, physical therapy may reduce costs - September 30, 2009
Individuals with musculoskeletal disorders who received chiropractic care or physical therapy had lower health care costs and were less likely to have surgery than employees who did not receive those services, according to a recent report....
It's the Number You Need to Profitably Grow Your Practice - September 23, 2009
In light of our country's recent economic challenges, many chiropractors are now seeking ways to trim the fat, lower expenses and stay profitable with lower patient volumes and decreased revenues....
Chiro Biz Quiz: Using an outside billing service - September 23, 2009
There are numerous pros and cons to outsourcing your billing. For a new or small practice it can be cost-effective to use a billing company. One of the biggest downsides to using a billing company is that you lose some degree of control....
Staying in Flow to Navigate Practice Ebbs - September 14, 2009
Outdated myths sustain this control ethos and support the notion that a dip in volume is a sign of a defect in your philosophy, belief system, procedures, purpose or intention....
Chiro Biz Quiz: Your practice-opening checklist - September 13, 2009
Whether you are a new grad or have been working as an associate, the time has come to open your own practice. When opening a new practice it's impossible to remember everything that will need to be done. For this reason, it is essential to make a checklist....
Case management set, motions to be heard in PPO class action suit - September 12, 2009
A case management conference is set next week for a class action suit against an insurance company that plaintiffs claim withheld monies due them by using improper Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) discounts....
Cost-Effective Care: The Evidence Mounts - September 12, 2009
Tell your legislators: chiropractic reduces health care costs, and a growing body of evidence is proving it....
Auto Injury Solutions' Provider Desktop Meets Minnesota Legislation - August 19, 2009
Auto Injury Solutions Inc, (AIS) a leading provider of medical claim management tools for the auto insurance industry announced today the expansion of its provider transaction portal, Provider Desktop, in compliance with new Minnesota legislation....
Medical Costs Per Claim Dropped for Texas Workers' Compensation Claims Following Series of Reforms, New WCRI Study Finds - August 18, 2009
Medical costs per workers' compensation claim in Texas declined dramatically over a relatively short period following a series of reforms, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI)....
Mitchell AUTOEXPRESS(TM) Starts Up Minnesota Health Care Provider E-Bill Exchanges With Auto Insurers - August 5, 2009
Minnesota is the initial state to implement regulations that require all health care providers and insurance carriers, for the first time including Auto Insurers, to exchange standard electronic health care administrative transactions....
Minnesota goes electronic on Wednesday with medical billing - August 5, 2009
The state of Minnesota will soon turn a corner that no other state has dared face in the same way. A 2007 law takes effect Wednesday, requiring "electronic billing of all health care claims."...
Chiropractor gets prison sentence for filing phony Blue Cross claims - July 27, 2009
A chiropractor who defrauded Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan of hundreds of thousands of dollars by filing phony claims was sentenced to 20 months in prison Thursday by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan....
Destin chiropractor takes a crack at change with paperless filing - July 23, 2009
While the White House works to streamline an inefficient healthcare system, chiropractor Dr. Brian Schuessler is taking a big step forward in his small Destin practice....
Getting paid for unlisted procedures - July 21, 2009
Q: I have been told not to bill insurance carriers for unlisted modalities because they never pay for them. Is this true? If so, is there any way to appeal for payment? A: Getting paid for unlisted procedures can be complicated. However, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of reimbursement....
ACOM Health Intends RAPID Chiropractic Software Compliance with Economic Stimulus Plan Certification Rules: Chief Software Engineer - July 21, 2009
Because healthcare is a highly monitored and regulated field, doctors are subject to compliance and reporting regulations from every level of government and as a consequence, comprehensive and accurate records are imperative, according to Vais Salikhov, chief software engineer at the ACOM Health Division of ACOM Solutions, Inc....
Debunking a cash practice myth - July 17, 2009
While I believe that all of these doctors are providing the best of care for their patients clinically, I also believe they may be doing their patients a disservice that is inexcusable....
Medicare and Chiropractic: Clearing Up Some Billing Misconceptions - July 17, 2009
Rather than a single question and answer, as is the usual format of this column, here are nine truisms regarding Medicare and chiropractic:...
Chiropractors Beat Economic Trend with Coding Expertise, Stats Reveal Dramatic Benefits from ACOM Health's Chiropractic Consulting - July 5, 2009
The analysis also shows that despite declining patient volumes traceable to the economic downturn, practices can continue to thrive if they collect fully and fairly for all of the services they perform....
Chiropractor gives up license in deal - June 29, 2009
A Spokane Valley chiropractor has agreed to a 10-year license suspension to settle allegations of double-billing, having sex with a patient and smoking marijuana....
Dr. Beck's "Ultimate Chiropractic Ads" Become the Essential Marketing Tool for Chiropractors - June 21, 2009
Using personal experience, Dr. Michael Beck has created (http://www.ultimatechiropracticads.com) to give Chiropractors worldwide, the tools to grow a healthy practice without creating excessive advertising debt. This system has been tested in Chiropractic offices worldwide before being released to the profession. Already many Chiropractors have begun to apply these tools and have already seen a healthy return on their investment....
MedicalCharting.com Launches EMR Software Solution with CCHIT-Certified EHR Software - June 20, 2009
With the new release, MedicalCharting.com also announced the availability of Medisoft Clinical, which combines the PM capabilities of Medisoft v15 with Practice Partner Patient Records, a CCHIT Certified® 08 Ambulatory electronic health record (EHR)....
Medstrat Announces Integration of Echoes With MacPractice's EMR - June 20, 2009
Medstrat announces a strategic alliance to market and deliver an integrated PACS-EMR solution for the Apple Macintosh....
Chiropractors to sue Aetna for underreimbursements - June 17, 2009
The New York Chiropractic Counsel and Donna Restivo, D.C., have retained the law firm of Pomerantz Haudek Block Grossman & Gross LLP to bring a class action against Aetna, Inc. for improper reductions in health care payments for chiropractors who are not part of Aetna's network of providers (known as out-of-network or "ONET" providers). ...
Improve the shape of your practice with Take Shape for Life - June 16, 2009
Take Shape for Life Co-Founder Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, a featured speaker for Chiropractic Economics' May FirstTuessday@2pm Webinar, outlined a specific turnkey nutritional and weigh loss system that Doctors of Chiropractic could implement to enhance their practice....
Chiropractic Marketing Consultant Ben Cummings Teaches How to Get Free Patients With YouTube - June 16, 2009
Top consultant launches new weekly online web TV show for chiropractors, The Chiropractic Marketing Makeover Show, designed to help chiropractors get more patients. This weeks episode shows chiropractors how to use YouTube to drive in free patients to a chiropractic clinic quickly....
Patient sues chiropractor Eavenson over insurance billing - May 23, 2009
The patient of a chiropractor has filed suit against the doctor and his business, alleging she was forced to pay him extra money after he stopped billing her insurance company....
Chiropractor employee sentenced in fraud - May 22, 2009
A woman who once worked for a Lower Burrell chiropractor and helped submit millions of dollars in false bills was sentenced to two years in prison this afternoon....
Future Health, Inc. Provides Chiropractors with Revenue-Building Videos - May 21, 2009
Future Health, Inc., a fully integrated chiropractic office management software system, has recently posted on YouTube.com several samples of their exclusive patient education videos....
Software Driven Documentation of Medical Necessity Alleviates Compensation and Compliance Issues for Chiropractors: ACOM Chief Software Engineer Vais - May 18, 2009
The ramifications of poorly coded documentation can be severe for any doctor and particularly for chiropractors, affecting their compensation for services and raising the potential for legal or regulatory issues. Even so, many practitioners considering the implementation of electronic medical billing and record keeping at their clinics remain unaware that software solutions with on-board coding and compliance protection currently exist....
Misinformation regarding chiropractic services and Medicare - May 14, 2009
This special edition article is being provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to correct misinformation in the chiropractic community relating to Medicare and its regulations as they relate to chiropractic services....
State Accuses Chiropractor of Fraud - May 8, 2009
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has filed a lawsuit against a Noble County chiropractor for alleged Medicaid fraud. The suit accuses Dr. Michael Cox of accepting nearly $91,000 in reimbursements from Medicaid during a four-year time period when he did not have a valid license to practice chiropractic medicine....
Medical Billing Company Creates Billing & Collections Rescue Plan - May 6, 2009
Pinnacle Medical Billing, a new medical billing service provider, launched by one of the most recognized names in No-Fault and Worker's Comp. medical billing collections services on Long Island, offers relief to doctors practicing in the State of New York....
Brooklyn Doc, Clinic Convicted Of Insurance Fraud - April 11, 2009
Prosecutors said patients received a standard protocol of testing including MRI's and neurodiagnostic treatments as well as multiple sets of costly medical supplies. In addition, they would often be referred for prolonged, unnecessary treatment including months of physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and x-rays. ...
Money Management Treatment Ensures Healthcare Practitioner Success - April 11, 2009
There is one area that most schools are not able to adequately prepare most future Doctors and Healthcare practitioners for - that is the realities of opening and running their own practice. Setting up accounts, purchasing supplies, running a staff, money management and financial planning are just a few of the very real pitfalls that can sabotage a practice....
Bill on copays may get hearing - April 11, 2009
The law, if it's put back on the books, would benefit chiropractors and their patients by preventing insurance companies from charging high copayments for visits to chiropractors....
Chiropractors accused in undercover kickback sting - April 11, 2009
The Orange County District Attorney's Office has filed criminal charges against eight chiropractors after conducting an undercover sting operation that targeted illegal patient referral and insurance overbilling schemes....
Lawmakers to examine chiropractor costs - April 11, 2009
State lawmakers are preparing to grapple with just how much North Carolina residents should pay out of pocket for a chiropractic visit....
Witnesses testify to chiropractor's Medicaid billing practices - April 11, 2009
Venia Minor testified today that chiropractor Douglas Dvorak told her he fraudulently billed Medicaid for 20 chiropractor treatments for her daughter, then asked her to tell the Federal Bureau of Investigation, if asked, that he actually treated her daughter....
Medical Billing Software MPMsoft Chosen by MedCrew as Its Medical Office Software - April 3, 2009
MPMsoft, a practice management and medical billing software that is used by thousands of healthcare practices nationwide to help manage their health insurance claims and medical billing has been chosen by MedCrew as its medical office software....
Dr. Michael Beck, D.C. Launches First Ever Online ChiroMarketing Academy - March 26, 2009
Despite this country's shrinking economy, Dr. Michael Beck, D.C.'s ChiroMarketing Academy is helping chiropractic offices more than stay afloat, his innovative course is fast-becoming a lifeline to long-term profitability....
Company's billing system destroyed, suit claims - March 26, 2009
A Missouri chiropractic and health services company has filed suit against a Madison County woman and an Orange County, Calif., woman, alleging the women caused the company to lose patients and money after they allegedly destroyed the company's billing system. ...
Medicare payment for chiropractic services increased for 2009 - March 26, 2009
In July, Congress passed the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). This legislation staved off a 10.6 percent across-the-board cut facing all Medicare providers and provided for a 1.1 percent positive reimbursement update for providers in 2009....
Smarter Marketing in 2009 with Call Tracking - March 26, 2009
Regardless if you run an orthopedic center, a doggie day care clinic, or a chiropractic office, this is a good time of year to get your 2009 marketing plans on your mind. There's no doubt that what's taking place in our US economy is going to effect business incomes during the next several months....
Earn CE credits with FCER's online seminars - March 26, 2009
Doctors of chiropractic in 37 states may now earn continuing education credits (CEs) by enrolling in Web-based seminars offered through the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) at www.fcer.myicourse.com. ...
ACOM Healthcare Business Consulting Group to Deliver C.E.-Accredited Chiropractic Seminar October 30; Focuses on Proving Medical Necessity - March 24, 2009
The ACOM Chiropractic Consulting Group will deliver a one-day seminar for chiropractors entitled "Case Management that Proves Medical Necessity" in suburban Cleveland, Ohio on October 30, 2008, it was announced today by Senior Consultant Bharon Hoag....
MyoVision, Chiropractic Economics Team to Launch Diagnostic Tools Resource Center - March 24, 2009
Chiropractic Economics announced today that it has teamed with MyoVision, a provider of Surface EMG technology, to launch its sixteenth resource center: Diagnostic Tools, at www.ChiroEco.com/MyoVision....
Medical Billing Software .com Announces Release of Medisoft Medical Billing Software Version 14 Service Pack 1 - December 23, 2008
The service pack addresses over 75 fixes and enhancements designed to improve the popular medisoft billing software version 14 released earlier this year....
Number 1 State in Chiropractic Billing Performance Index in June is Illinois - The Blues and Medicare Lead - October 26, 2008
In June, the Chiropractic Office Billing Precision Index (BPI) gained 4.2 points above its May mark - making up all of the lost ground in May and outperforming April. Overall, June BPI reached 17.6 outperforming the national average of 17.7 by 0.1, and 2.1 points away from its best record of 15.5 in March of 2008....
New Partnership Integrates Vibration Therapy Into Stem Cell Procedures - October 4, 2008
Two leading companies in their respective industries are joining forces to integrate vibration therapy into the stem cell harvesting process....
Highmark collection system leads to feud with providers - July 22, 2008
A midstate chiropractor says he was forced to close his doors because of an ongoing financial feud with Highmark Inc., stemming from the health insurer's system for collecting money from doctors who, in Highmark's eyes, provide excessive or unwarranted care. ...
ZipClaims.com and InstaMed® Enhance Medical Billing for Millions of Practitioners - June 26, 2008
ABC Coding Solutions, developer of ZipClaims.com, has selected the InstaMed healthcare payments network and platform for its ZipClaims.com medical billing solutions designed to serve a population of 2.5 million non-physician healthcare providers. ZipClaims.com gives these healthcare providers a unique way to get paid quickly while avoiding fraud. ZipClaims.com is an online insurance claims filing system specifically designed to address the billing challenges that affect millions of non-physician health professionals....
Health Care Fraud - FBI Report - May 28, 2008
The FBI investigated 2,493 cases of healthcare fraud in fiscal year 2007, leading to 635 convictions....
MedLink Acquires 100% of Anywhere MD - May 10, 2008
MedLink International, Inc. (OTCBB: MLKNA) announced today that it has completed the full acquisition of all the outstanding assets and operations of Anywhere MD, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ANWM), a leading provider of mobile EMR solutions to healthcare facilities in the chiropractic market....
You Can't Afford Not To Care About Coding - April 15, 2008
"Well, they just couldn't care less." Wow, what a response. I was totally amazed as I stood at the front counter of a multi-provider clinic. I had been next door speaking with a family practice physician who had been trying to improve evaluation and management (E&M) coding in his practice. On my way out, I thought I'd drop off a flyer about one of my upcoming MPECS Practice Profitability Workshops to see whether the providers in that office might be interested in attending. ...
Beyond Billing: Attentiveness Pays - April 15, 2008
Few things I can think of are more challenging than managing a medical practice. The nature of the practice usually has some influence on the way the office functions from day to day, but the goal is the same: providing quality health care to every patient....
How to Start a Medical Claims Processing Business - April 15, 2008
A medical billing service is a doctor's key to getting paid. Despite the fact that the health-care industry is alive and well in America, most doctors and other health-care providers have no idea how to get themselves paid quickly and efficiently, if at all, by either insurers or patients who are also waiting for that check to arrive in the mail. Private and government-administered insurance companies, HMOs, PPOs and a host of other mysteriously initialed plans have conspired to make physician reimbursements as elusive as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Doctors, once the lords of the health-care world, are fast becoming the underdogs....
Start-up puts wheels under massages - March 3, 2008
Greg Jack, a Gilbert-based health care consultant, is going into the mobile therapeutic massage business. Jack bought the first, and so far only, Valley franchise for a new Scottsdale company N8 Touch and is gearing up to roll his massage chairs into special events like 10-K runs, fairs and the Gilbert Days celebration....
Nightingale Informatix Divests Therapist Helper Business - March 1, 2008
Nightingale Informatix Corporation (TSX-V: NGH), a provider of healthcare software and services, announced today that it has sold its Therapist Helper business to Netsmart Technologies, Inc. of Great River, New York. ...
Chiropractic Office Billing Quality - Comparative Analysis Using Performance Index - February 15, 2008
It's good to have choices. And if you're a provider staring at a list of accounts receivable that are creeping up on 120 days, those choices become meaningful. The way that's done is by utilizing the power of indexing to compare payment performance among insurance companies on a level playing field, which ranks payers according to selected criteria....
Outsourced Chiropractic Billing Service Performance Benchmark - September 2006 - February 15, 2008
September Billing Performance Index (BPI) underperformed August value by 5.6%, replacing five participants in the list of top ten performers and dropping the index from 16.3 down to 21.9. This article describes a fourth iteration of a prototype for a rule-based chiropractic billing index, including its coverage definition, update cycle, volume weighting, and provided information....
Electronic Medical Billing Software and Service Compliance in Chiropractic Office - February 15, 2008
Over the course of the past two decades, federal and state enforcement agencies have investigated medical billing incidents and brought multiple enforcement actions against healthcare practices. The list of agencies tasked with billing compliance enforcement includes federal Department of Justice, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Health and Human Service, state Medicaid fraud control units, and others....
Physical Therapy Billing - Will Outsourcing End in 2008? - January 6, 2008
The dramatic economic growth of India has created some negative implications for offshore Business Process Outsourcing organizations (BPO). Some of these implications can be directly attributed to the devaluation of the USD in comparison to the rupee. If this trend persists, and the USD continues to lose its value in comparison to the rupee, only the most efficient BPO's in India will be able to continue to make a profit....
Heal Thyself - January 4, 2008
The power of mind over biology is a mystery that science has just begun to understand, but healers from the the Eastern world did not wait for science to break the mind-body code. Elaborate systems of curing and preventing disease have been developed by trial and error, and applied by faith in an invisible energy called "qi."...
Quick Study
Private Schools Offer Fast Track for Career Training - January 4, 2008
The first step into many careers is through the door of a training facility. And when it comes to gaining the credentials you need to be hired in the shortest possible time, there is no better entry point than a private vocational school....
Tech-Savvy Gulf Coast Chiropractor Cures Practice Headaches with RAPID Chiropractic Software from ACOM's Healthcare Business Division - December 29, 2007
Florida chiropractor Dr. Joseph Ferrantelli enhanced the efficiency and productivity of his practice as well as his relationships with referral sources with the implementation of RAPID chiropractic software from the ACOM Healthcare Business Division....
American Consumer Council Criticizes Cigna and Healthcare System in Death of Teenager - December 29, 2007
The American Consumer Council criticized health insurance giant Cigna Corp for denying approval for a liver transplant operation that led to the death of 17-year old Nataline Sarkisyan....
Pair operates international business in their basement - December 28, 2007
Nicole and Mike Robeck have teamed up to make their Black Hills Medical Billing Service the 2007 Small Business Association South Dakota Home-Based Business of the Year. They work together in their basement along with Lucy, their new Labradoodle, a Labrador and poodle mix. (Steve McEnroe/Journal staff)...
Doctor indicted in Verizon health plan billing scam - December 28, 2007
NEW YORK (AP) _ A physician whose wife vanished and was later found dead in the East River was arraigned Thursday on charges of running a "medical mill" that cheated the Verizon Communications Inc. health plan by fraudulent billing....
Patterson Cos. buys software firm - December 28, 2007
Patterson Cos. Inc. said Monday it has bought Advanced Practice Systems, a California firm that makes software used by physical therapy practices. ...
ACOM Healthcare Business Division Introduces RAPID Complete - Enterprise Edition for Chiropractic-driven Multi-Specialty Pain Management Practices - December 28, 2007
Recognizing a strong trend toward the establishment of chiropractic-centric, multi-specialty, multi-location pain management clinics, the ACOM Healthcare Business Division has introduced RAPID Complete - Enterprise Edition, as a comprehensive office management solution that supports the billing, reporting and office management requirements of all of the specialties involved....
American Consumer Council Criticizes Cigna and Healthcare System in Death of Teenager - December 24, 2007
The American Consumer Council criticized health insurance giant Cigna Corp for denying approval for a liver transplant operation that led to the death of 17-year old Nataline Sarkisyan. Thomas Hinton, president of the 82,000 member non-profit American Consumer Council (ACC), said, “Health insurance companies like Cigna continue to put their financial interest ahead of patient survival and urgent treatment when medical procedures such as liver transplants are deemed too costly. Ms. Sarkisyan and her family suffered needlessly because of Cigna’s flip-flopping and delay tactics.”...
14 Step Selection of Outsourced Billing Software and Service for a Physical Therapy Practice - December 24, 2007
Over four thousand vendors of medical billing services offer solutions to Physical Therapy and Rehab practices nationwide in response to poor in-house billing performance and increasing regulatory scrutiny of billing processes. On one hand, such a large number of outsourced billing solutions ensure continued competitiveness in terms of both service quality and pricing. On the other hand, the lack of uniform service standards and metrics among the vendors, combined with their large numbers, makes the process of vendor selection difficult and error-prone....
Physical Therapy Billing Software and Service Performance Metrics - December 4, 2007
Billing performance measurement is an integral part of physical therapy practice billing process and a prerequisite to effective rehab practice management. Systematic measurement becomes mission-critical with growth of billing complexity or outsourcing of the billing function. Traditional billing metrics are limited in scope and focus on claim submission process, ignoring process imperfections on the insurance (payer) side. Modern computer technologies allow both productive measurement and effective action by the disciplined billing office to improve claim submission and payment processes....
Rehab Billing Service Outsourcing Dilemma - November 22, 2007
Can an outsourced medical billing service improve or expedite payments and reduce costs? This article revisits key arguments for and against billing outsourcing in light of increasing complexity and regulatory scrutiny of billing processes....
Physical Therapy Billing Software, HIPAA Compliance, and Role Based Access Control - November 21, 2007
HIPAA compliance requires special focus. A rehab practice with multiple separate systems for patient scheduling, electronic medical records, and billing, requires multiple separate HIPAA management efforts. This article presents an integrated approach to HIPAA compliance and outlines HIPAA terminology, principles, and requirements to help the physical therapy practice owner to ensure HIPAA compliance by medical billing service and software vendors....
Rehab Practice Billing Control with Computer Aided Coding Software - November 21, 2007
The average rehab practice submits half of its codes wrong, while some practices rarely exceed more than one code right out of every five codes. Computer aided coding with integrated superbill places the physical therapist in control and enables dynamic, precise, reliable, consistent, defensive, and inexpensive coding process. ...
Are You a Good Rehab Practice for an Outsourced Billing Service Vendor? - November 20, 2007
Dr. John Doe woke up at two AM and was unable to fall asleep again. He went to his desk, logged onto his computer and looked for the termination clause in the Agreement with his billing service. ...