Author Topic: Billing Software and Clearinghouse  (Read 5413 times)

aknittel914

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Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« on: July 11, 2014, 12:58:54 AM »
Hi all! I am in the beginning stages of my new company. I have a potential client that would like me to start billing Aug 1! YIKES!

I am stuck, because I do not have a medical billing/practice management software nor do I have a clearinghouse setup.

I have been coding and billing for 7 years, but I have been in the dark with the setup portion... Any suggestions on these two topics? Is it best to have my own software or do I use the clients software? Any specific clearinghouses that are affordable and helpful. I plan on doing a flat fee and I want to bundle these two things into my overhead. I just feel like they are so expensive for my smaller clients.

TIA!

PMRNC

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2014, 09:21:30 AM »
Quote
I am stuck, because I do not have a medical billing/practice management software nor do I have a clearinghouse setup.

Quote
I have been coding and billing for 7 years, but I have been in the dark with the setup portion... Any suggestions on these two topics? Is it best to have my own software or do I use the clients software? Any specific clearinghouses that are affordable and helpful. I plan on doing a flat fee and I want to bundle these two things into my overhead. I just feel like they are so expensive for my smaller clients.

If you bundle the costs of software/clearinghouse you can only utilize those for that client..but, I suggest going ahead and utilizing what they have in place and if it's not working for them make that a goal of your services to get them setup on another system. I can recommend a few to you but 8/1 is really pushing it for you to learn, sign up, etc. Find out what they have in place and then take it from there.

Linda Walker
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williamportor

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2014, 06:35:54 PM »
Try hewedi.com they are the clearinghouse I use. They work with most practice management software programs, or they you can use their own free entry software. They bill mostly electronic, but can drop to paper if you need to. Fees are pretty reasonable. :) 

Christy

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2014, 07:12:58 PM »
if it's a small-ish practice, I heartily recommend Practice Mate/Office Ally...it's 100% free unless gov't claims (Medicare, Medicaid, etc) make up over 50% of claims volume in any given month. In months that that happens, there is a small fee of $19.95. They have awesome training and customer service to boot!

PMRNC

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2014, 04:55:19 PM »
But why go through the extreme troubles and stall to cash flow by changing / transitioning software now? This is what I don't understand why new billers turn away clients who don't want to utilize and transition to a new software. Even if it's a BAD system.. it just makes more sense to get things current and then later introduce a new solution. I've seen a lot of billers lose potentially good clients because of this ONE tiny thing.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2014, 04:55:19 PM »

kristin

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2014, 08:56:07 PM »
Quote
But why go through the extreme troubles and stall to cash flow by changing / transitioning software now? This is what I don't understand why new billers turn away clients who don't want to utilize and transition to a new software. Even if it's a BAD system.. it just makes more sense to get things current and then later introduce a new solution. I've seen a lot of billers lose potentially good clients because of this ONE tiny thing.

AGREE 100%!

In this case, there is not enough time to get a new system up and running, and be ready for electronic claim submittal with all payers. I would much rather get the account, get it under control, and then worry about software changes down the road. I have several horror stories of working for start-up billing companies who had the clients switch to their software, with not enough time allotted to make the change over, and in both cases, the clients didn't get any insurance money for months. Everyone was miserable, staff had to be let go, it was awful.

While there are myriad choices out there for inexpensive/free software, my vote is to start out with what the client has, and then transition at a later date if necessary. Use the time between now and then to do research on what is available.

aknittel914

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2014, 02:37:01 AM »
Sorry - I forgot to mention... The client is completely on paper!!! So I am starting from scratch with him. He realizes that August 1 is REALLY pushing it to get claims pushed out, but I want to do as much as I can to help him. He currently has ZERO claims going out due to being in between billing services and not having a EHR/EMR.

aknittel914

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2014, 02:38:24 AM »
if it's a small-ish practice, I heartily recommend Practice Mate/Office Ally...it's 100% free unless gov't claims (Medicare, Medicaid, etc) make up over 50% of claims volume in any given month. In months that that happens, there is a small fee of $19.95. They have awesome training and customer service to boot!

And yes, it is a VERY small practice. 1 doc, only see about 15-20 patient per WEEK

Michele

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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2014, 01:24:59 PM »
I agree with Linda but in this situation that will not work.  Since he is so small and you are just starting I would recommend the Practice Mate/Office Ally scenario (Again I don't ever recommend this to billing services since it is a pain to switch over later).  But since he is so small and you are just starting that is one way to be able to be up and running by 8/1.  Office Ally has great training and customer support.  They will help you.
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Re: Billing Software and Clearinghouse
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2014, 01:24:59 PM »