Medical Billing Forum

General Category => General Questions => : claimresolutions December 09, 2010, 06:18:49 PM

: Billing Past-Due A/R
: claimresolutions December 09, 2010, 06:18:49 PM
We have a prospective client requesting that we handle only their past due A/R, and allow them to handle all claims going forward on their own.  Is this ok?  Will we run into problems with the payers if the practice is handling all their claims now, but we are handling their appeals for past due?  Please advise!
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: naomi53 December 13, 2010, 02:14:56 PM
Hi. There is no problem handling this project separetly from their request.  Have all the info required to follow up and know the appeal process.  This entire project should take no more and 4-6 months so charge them much higher than the normal billing and less then the collection agency fee.  Include other misc cost, etc. stamps, exessive calls, stationary and such.  Who knows they may find it better in the near future and ask that you handle even their current stuff.  Also remember what ever they have done in the past will turn aged in the near future because the errors will not stop from their office until things change.  I hope this was helpful.
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: PMRNC December 16, 2010, 12:01:40 PM
Don't forget to get a GOOD, solid, and CLEAR contract put together that will LIST FULLY AND DETAILED your responsibilities so that down the road you are not doing more than what you were contracted to do.. I've seen it happen because the contract wasn't clear. Just because it's a short project, don't think you don't need a good iron-clad contract..you ESPECIALLY need one with these short term jobs. Later on if you prove yourself and all goes well you can revise or extend the contract.  Also be careful to review your state and federal guidelines on fair debt credit reporting because you need to know the laws for your state. In some states you are not allowed to even ACT as a collection agency without a surety bond, with A/R cleanup you also want to address those guidelines in your contract so that you don't get railroaded into providing services that you are not bonded to do. Like I said, some states will consider some actions of a billing company as collections and you may or may not need a surety bond to provide those services.
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: msyvettecruz December 18, 2010, 05:43:02 PM
Wow... I am new to this site. I am currently taking a medical billing/coding class. I have been in the healthcare field for over twenty years and know everything there is to know on the other end. I have always enjoyed coding and wanted to learn how to do billing the right way. I am learning so much with the hreat instructor we have. Anyways, I have wanted to open a medical billing business for YEARS but was always intimidated by failure and "what if I do something wrong" since I want to keep everyone happy b/c of my perfectionist syndrome. I have learned so. Much from all of the questions asked and your extremely knowledgeable responses. Thank you Lindafor always answering peoples questions because it is also helping me out. When I grow up I wanna be like linda!..... ;D ;D
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: PMRNC December 18, 2010, 06:25:43 PM
Thank you Linda for always answering peoples questions because it is also helping me out. When I grow up I wanna be like linda!..... Grin Grin

Aww thank you, but it sounds like you all growed up already!  :)  When I started out 20 + years ago, I thought I knew it all...now.. I still learn something new EVERY single day!
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: Michele December 20, 2010, 10:24:35 AM
Anyone who thinks they know it all has a lot to learn.   ;)

Best wishes msyvettecruz.  Don't be afraid.  Your fear is all that can stop you.  Just be determined to learn what you need to and fix anything you do wrong.  We all make mistakes (even us experienced people).  It's how you handle it and how quick you 'clean up the mess'.

Michele
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: DMK December 20, 2010, 01:10:00 PM
Amen Michele!

There are constant changes in this industry, we all live and learn.  Don't ever think you know it all, that's when they pull the rug out from under you!
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: msyvettecruz December 22, 2010, 03:16:20 PM
Thank you Linda and Michelle for your responses and words of encouragement. I agree with your comments about people who say they know it all. That's impossible in this business. I have been doing A LOT of research before even attempting to start my own business. I guess having that fear can be a good thing in that it will forever keep me on my toes to make sure everything is done correctly and by the book, which in turn can only make my business better.  You both help people out a lot more than you realize.  That is a great thing you do for others by sharing your knowledge. I have always believed in that as well. So, thank you again for so much valuable advice. Hoping everyone has a safe and blessed holiday!!   ::) ::)
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: claimresolutions January 09, 2011, 06:13:39 PM
Many many thanks to Linda and Michelle for all you do!  We appreciate your time and willingness to share knowledge and experience!  I have been fully commited to learning and working very very hard every day.  We take pride in helping healthcare providers get paid for the their hard earned efforts. 
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: Michele January 09, 2011, 11:28:23 PM
You're welcome!  Alice and I found it almost impossible to find help when we started.  We vowed to help others along the way.  It only benefits all of us in the long run!

We appreciate Linda for all of her efforts as well.  We are always learning and Linda has a lot of knowledge to share!

Michele
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: QueenAlicia February 02, 2011, 04:40:15 PM
I am glad that I read this post.  I have had questions in regarding this topic. What would we need from the providers when we take over of  past due  A/R?  I am going to focus on this area for marketing.
: Re: Billing Past-Due A/R
: Pay_My_Claims February 02, 2011, 05:23:54 PM
I am glad that I read this post.  I have had questions in regarding this topic. What would we need from the providers when we take over of  past due  A/R?  I am going to focus on this area for marketing.

Great Marketing tool, this is what I focus on as well. It will depend on how you plan to bill the claims--his system or yours"
If you are billing from your system, you will need a DETAILED current AR. Ours list all we need, Insurance co, patient SS# date of birth, and policy # also has the date of service and charged amount.