Author Topic: Fees  (Read 16501 times)

gderilus

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Fees
« on: September 07, 2009, 08:19:00 PM »
Can someone tells me if I can charge 7% or a flat fee if I have a client that sees about 20 patients a month and they're all returning patients. Would it be better If I charge a percentage or per claims like a flat fee.

Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS

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Re: Fees
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2009, 10:37:19 PM »
We dont know if your state has a no percentage billing (split fee) law. It might be better to go with a flat fee but go with you gut feeling. Sometimes hard decisions need to be made by ourselves.
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Michele

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Re: Fees
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2009, 09:34:47 AM »
If your state is one with a fee splitting law, that will make the decision for you!

But otherwise, like Coding4aliving said, you must weigh both sides and decide what is best for you.  There is no right or wrong.

Michele
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cardinal

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Re: Fees
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2009, 01:33:40 PM »
Hi

As I just started my own billing business 6 months ago I am still learning.  I have 2 clients a chiro and a podiatrist.  I am not aware of fee splitting laws.  How do I find out if my state has one?  Is there a website I can reference?  I am in California.

Thanks a bunch
Nancy

Pay_My_Claims

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Re: Fees
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2009, 01:54:56 PM »
Hey Nancy, congrats on your new service and clients. I don't think there is a website, but Linda Walker PMRNC is the fee splitting expert  ;D

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Re: Fees
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2009, 01:54:56 PM »

gderilus

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Re: Fees
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2009, 01:00:17 PM »
I live in Florida and I think there's a fee splitting law, But I was wondering if I can still charge a percentage even if there's a fee splitting law. I know sometimes it would be better to charge a percentage than a flat fee depend on the provider.

Also when charging a flat fee, do you charge like a specific amount each month or do you charge a fee per claim submitted.

PMRNC

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Re: Fees
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2009, 01:45:13 PM »
Florida is indeed a fee-splitting law state:

The basis for the final order appears in F.S. 458.331(1), which sets forth a list of acts or
 omissions for which the board may take disciplinary action against a physician's license.
The list includes 458.331(1)(i), which prohibits "paying or receiving any commission,
bonus, kickback, or rebate, or engaging in any split-fee arrangement in any form
whatsoever
with a physician, organization, agency, or person, either directly or
indirectly, for patients referred to providers of health care goods and services . .
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

Michele

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Re: Fees
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2009, 08:16:08 PM »
You can either set it up to charge a flat monthly fee or a per claim fee, whichever one works out better for the situation.

Michele
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Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS

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Re: Fees
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2009, 10:02:51 PM »
IM also in Florida

Two companiea I worked for charged a percentage and they still do.  If you know anything about Florida, I doubt anyone will do anything if they find out you are charging a percentage.

The only thing you cant charge a percentage on is Florida Medicaid.  That is clearly spelled out in the Florida Medicaid Provider Manual.  We took our percentage and determined the per claim fee that is equal to the percentage and that is what we charged.

Good luck
I'l have a double chubby chuck, a mexicali chilibarb, and two cherry cokes
Left hand Blue, Right Leg Green
You got your peanut butter on my milk chocolate.
Dont cut the blue wire! 
I love spam.

PMRNC

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Re: Fees
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2009, 08:57:46 AM »
I Don't agree Steve, it's not a matter of the state doing anything as it's not illegal for the billing company however if you are in a state that prohibits fee-splitting and you are charging a %, your contract is basically not worth the paper it's typed on, not to mention it's a risk to the provider because it's their ass on the line. I'm in NY and I know that if a potential client tells me they are using a service that's charging them a % I use it as a marketing tool and before the end of the conversation they are thanking me because I was thinking of them. It's just irresponsible to do something you have been shown to be wrong just because everyone else is doing it.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

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Re: Fees
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2009, 08:57:46 AM »

Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS

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Re: Fees
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2009, 10:56:55 AM »
Linda

My point was Florida is a don't give a crap state.  THis is why we have HMOs getting away with anything that thy want because no one at the regulatory level is willing to do anything to stop what is wrong. Evey day, there is a piece where a company is caught ripping off people.  The State didnt catch these people, the local news did. 

This is why billing in Florida sucks and you have to be aggressive to fight back.  Its high noon here with Gary Cooper all alone on Main Street.  It almost makes you believe that the regulatory people are being paid by the insurance companies, so why go after those paying you.  Everyone in Floida knows Tallahassee is a good ol boy town.  Im from Albany and I know its a good old boy town.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2009, 10:59:47 AM by Coding4aliving »
I'l have a double chubby chuck, a mexicali chilibarb, and two cherry cokes
Left hand Blue, Right Leg Green
You got your peanut butter on my milk chocolate.
Dont cut the blue wire! 
I love spam.

Stephanie Kendall

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Re: Fees
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2009, 07:05:55 PM »
I've searched but can anyone tell me if Oklahoma is a state that you can bill a percentage of collections?  I really can't find it anywhere pertaining to medical billing.

Michele

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Re: Fees
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2009, 11:57:05 PM »
Not sure about OK.

Michele
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Pay_My_Claims

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Re: Fees
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2009, 02:48:04 PM »
Why does everyone still want to bill on a % basis??  Do you REALLY feel that you will make more money???

MBP

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Re: Fees
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2009, 05:26:17 PM »
I think it is a very big motivation for billing away, as much as you can, when it is % :) seems to be a very fair way of compensating for billing services to me. you get what you work for. (i, however, respect that it is not legal and dont do it.. ;D )

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Re: Fees
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2009, 05:26:17 PM »