Author Topic: Taking Incoming Patient Calls  (Read 2631 times)

tallmanusa

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Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« on: August 31, 2016, 03:03:14 AM »
Do you take incoming patient calls about their bills?
If so how much do you charge for this service?
Is there much demand for this service?

Michele

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Re: Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2016, 10:21:23 AM »
Yes we do.  It is part of our service.  And yes, if we are handling the patient billing our providers want us to also handle the phone calls.  They can be quite disruptive to the office.  We find that if we are very specific on the bill as to why they are being billed and what they are being billed for we do not get a lot of phone calls.
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voquendo6167

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Re: Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2016, 05:30:56 PM »
That's a great question Tallmanusa. Hi Michele. I have question as well. How would you calculate all of your services for one monthly flat fee, to make sure you get paid for all of your work?

kristin

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Re: Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2016, 01:03:54 AM »
What services are you offering for the client, and how many hours a week will you be working for the client to provide those services?(whatever you think it may be, add more onto that figure)
What is your overhead going to be? (whatever you think it may be, add more onto that figure)
How much will your E&O insurance premium be?

Just looking at those three things, let's pick some random figures. We will say you will work 20 hours a week for the client, and have $200 a month in expenses for that client. If you charge the client $1000 a month, you will net $800 after expenses. Take that $800 and divide it by 80 hours, which is what you are working for a month. That means you are getting paid $10 an hour. Less than minimum wage in many places. Are you worth more than $10 an hour? What do you think the client would pay an employee to do the same work for a month? And it would be not only their wage, but taxes for that employee, and maybe benefits too.

Only you know what your expenses will be, and how much time you will need to spend working an account for a client, but the formula pretty much stays the same. Don't sell yourself short, is the bottom line.




voquendo6167

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Re: Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2016, 12:42:15 PM »
Do I need E&O insurance, even if I don't have employees and the business will be sole proprietor?

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Re: Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2016, 12:42:15 PM »

PMRNC

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Re: Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2016, 12:41:12 PM »
E/O isn't dependent upon the business structure, it's an insurance you might want to reduce liability. MANY don't get it until they have a few clients. You just want to make sure that you are very aware of compliance, fraud, etc. Today you are libel for all claims you submit and you can be prosecuted ALONG with a physician. Know the risks and reduce your services to those that have less liability. I would NOT code unless you have E/O and are a certified coder. Another big liability is credentialing as most don't think of that as high liability because they are not sending claims, however it is a big liability as you are dealing with contracts, fee schedules, etc. Keep your liability low until you can get the E/O.
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Re: Taking Incoming Patient Calls
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2016, 12:41:12 PM »