Author Topic: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?  (Read 19797 times)

tallmanusa

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Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« on: November 07, 2012, 01:23:17 PM »
Regardless of your political affiliation, as of this morning, Obamacare is here to stay. Doctors have to adopt EMR by 2015; their pay would be cut, and they would have tons of new patients.
Is all of that good or bad for the billing business?
To me it would appear good for our business, not necessarily good for the doctors.

PMRNC

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2012, 09:56:08 PM »
Maybe.. maybe not, I think only time is going to tell us that. The BULK of my consulting in last year has been evaluating and auditing practices to remove them from Medicare/Medicaid.  In regards to Billing, I don't think it will effect it right away, it really is going to be determined by how much physicians are going to put up with before leaving medicine, going to cash only practices or concierge care.  I do think we'll see a drop in Medicare/Medicaid/Tri Care billing as more physicians move away from govt sponsored plans. I also think we will need to be MORE diligent in eligibility and benefit checks as many enter into the private sector.   I think in regards to the big picture it's going to be a game of chance.  To stay afloat I think billing companies better be diverse, they better be ready to use any software, do credentialing and other consulting type services to stay afloat.   JMHO.   PS.. I also predict they will put off EMR mandates due to issues such as Cyber terrorism, and patient rights, I myself have an attorney drafted Opt out of EMR where as my physicians will not be able to force EMR on me. I think you will see more patients really care about how their information is used, stored and shared.  Many of the issues on privacy have not been addressed in regards to EMR. I do believe we will see it put on hold AGAIN and AGAIN.
Linda Walker
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www.billerswebsite.com

DMK

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2012, 02:02:21 PM »
Doctors will be retiring, dropping insurance and going to work in hospital type clinics.  Private practice will be changed forever if Obamacare continues to plow through.

Doctors will have "tons of new patients" that they will have to provide more services, in less time, for less reimbursement, and people still won't pay their bills because "health care is free now, right?".

We're getting the recommendations now for more restrictions on tests, fewer paps, fewer mammograms, fewer PSA's, longer waits for MRI's, CT's etc.  The insurance companies will be denying more and more care because for every 10 of those tests, only 1 "really needed it".

People thought they were going to get free health care for all.  Now the people who want tests will pay for them, and the people who NEED them won't be able to get them authorized.

Hide and watch folks.

tallmanusa

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2012, 02:21:10 PM »
I don't have any political affiliations, only business interests. For our business I think this is very good.
As the Speaker of the House said " Obamacare is the law of the land ", that is the way it is, people have already spoken. It is water under the bridge. Learn to live with it.

My goal is to steer my business so that it is profitable under the circumstances.
One way is to offer EHR to every provider, as Obamacare mandates it.
Another way is to increase efficiency, so that we can deliver the provider at reasonable costs to them. Improvement in technology and elimination of Super bill are others.
« Last Edit: November 12, 2012, 02:27:22 PM by tallmanusa »

rdmoore2003

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2012, 06:46:43 PM »
I don't have any political affiliations, only business interests. For our business I think this is very good.
As the Speaker of the House said " Obamacare is the law of the land ", that is the way it is, people have already spoken. It is water under the bridge. Learn to live with it.

My goal is to steer my business so that it is profitable under the circumstances.
One way is to offer EHR to every provider, as Obamacare mandates it.
Another way is to increase efficiency, so that we can deliver the provider at reasonable costs to them. Improvement in technology and elimination of Super bill are others.


ok, I can't resist.   First, people have spoken, however, not ALL people said the same thing.  Second, I have been using EHR for about 6.5 years now and if you have the thought that eliminating superbill (and things of that nature) and the improvement in technology.....all that tells me is that eventually technology will completely do everything and there will be no reason for billers and/or coders.  Since most insurance companies are and have already went "green", the "improved technology" will run you out of business since the computers will do it all.

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2012, 06:46:43 PM »

tallmanusa

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2012, 07:40:55 PM »
In a democracy, the majority, even by 1% decides the issue, the issue has been decided. It is over.
Good that you have been using EHR for 6.5 years; I believe only 20% of the providers use EHR currently.
Technology will do mundane things, like duplicating the information from a Super bill; but it would never eliminate the need for humans.
Banks are a business that uses technology extensively but still uses people and lots of them.
My pitch is to the doctors who are using considerable sums ( 8 - 10 % by many estimates, in house billing); we will do for 5%, everything including the cost of software. And yes, no super bill.
Actually the coding is simple in EHR, the provider should do it. Most billers don't do any coding.

rdmoore2003

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2012, 12:39:27 PM »
I do not agree.  I have seen with my own eyes.   

Michele

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2012, 12:46:33 PM »
It is hard to talk about Obamacare without getting into Political discussions.  Personally, I do not believe that we can even anticipate how this will play out.  JMO, I hate the way laws are passed these days.  It's never just one law.  Obamacare is so much more than strictly healthcare.  There is so much other cr@# in there it's just not even funny.  It's so ridiculously long and complicated that the average person cannot read it and understand it.  I understand the intentions, etc, but I do not believe they accomplished what really was needed.  I don't voice my opinion often because I don't have a better solution or any suggestions.  I don't believe in just whining and complaining without offering something.  But I am honestly afraid of the ramifications of this bill if it stands as it....both professionally and personally.
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PMRNC

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2012, 04:19:29 PM »
Quote
I don't have any political affiliations, only business interests. For our business I think this is very good.
As the Speaker of the House said " Obamacare is the law of the land ", that is the way it is, people have already spoken. It is water under the bridge. Learn to live with it.

Ahh.. you would think right.. but I think when he said that he forgot again what country he was in.. The states can hold up implementation with their re appeals. There is also nullification. I kind of scratched my head when he said that and remembered.. Oh that's right, he was only a lawyer on paper for a short time. Seems he forget the way the legal system works.   There's I think (DON'T quote me on the exact number) 12 states with re appeals filed either before or after the election. Several states have also threatened non implementation. Sure the feds will try to.. but they won't be able to until all legal avenue's have been explored. So Buckle up, it's going to be a LOOOOONG ride.

I also think that if you are a billing company ONLY doing billing/PM, then yes, you MIGHT see a decline in obtaining new clients. That was one of the big reasons a few years ago I decided to diversify, I don't use just ONE PM solution, I use whatever one the provider wants to use, I provide consulting which pays much better than billing, I do credentialing and DE-credentialing and also fee-schedule negotiations and contract reviews.  So now actually billing is only about 25% of my business. 

I also have a prediction... They will postpone EMR implementation. Right now there are too many published reports on cyber-terrorism to warrant a postponement.  I think the East Coast (NY/NJ) area is already seeing it. There were several hospitals in NY/NJ that came to a standstill from Hurricane Sandy, There was NO access to the patient records.. It was a nightmare and actually still is out there.   If you research you will already see that the Middle East has allready hit us with cyber attacks.  Also patients still maintain the final say on their health records. Physicians will need to disclose those things to patients and patients can exercise their opt-out.  Interestingly enough physicians and Office managers need to be trained on how to deal with those privacy concerns of patients, my own family physician argued with me telling me I had no choice, but my attorney presented evidence to the contrary, his office will need to know how to deal with those issues. 
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

tallmanusa

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2012, 09:33:42 AM »
President Obama has one characteristic, and history has proven it. He does not compromise, and does not change his views. He has said that he would not change a single word, even a coma or a period, in his health plan. It would be futile not to believe him.
Whatever is in the law would be implemented, including EHR by 2015, those providers who have not converted by then, would be shut out of the system.

Here is a comment about a public medical management company
I quote;
 "AthenaHealth is shaping up as a prime beneficiary of recently-passed Affordable Health Care Act, as hospitals and physicians will be pushed to put down the pen and paper, and pick up the computer (or tablet as the case may be)."

Full article can be seen here.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1003031-as-the-market-tumbles-these-4-stocks-are-beating-estimates?source=yahoo

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2012, 09:33:42 AM »

PMRNC

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2012, 02:11:18 PM »
Quote
President Obama has one characteristic, and history has proven it. He does not compromise, and does not change his views. He has said that he would not change a single word, even a coma or a period, in his health plan. It would be futile not to believe him.
Whatever is in the law would be implemented, including EHR by 2015, those providers who have not converted by then, would be shut out of the system.

Here is a comment about a public medical management company
I quote;
 "AthenaHealth is shaping up as a prime beneficiary of recently-passed Affordable Health Care Act, as hospitals and physicians will be pushed to put down the pen and paper, and pick up the computer (or tablet as the case may be)."

Full article can be seen here.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1003031-as-the-market-tumbles-these-4-stocks-are-beating-estimates?source=yahoo

How long have you been doing this?   Me, since 1996 (prior to that I worked for insurance companies)   Obama can say whatever he wants.. And yes your right, stubborn is ONE word, one might use to describe him.. me, I have other words ...BUT anyway.. again.. the legal system always proves delays.  The "RULE of the land" will go through lengthy court processes and possible state nullification.. IT will PROLONG implementation.. Remember that in ANY business the ones who are always guaranteed to work and make money no matter what......................Attorney's. ;0   Law school entrances OVER top medical school by a HUGE number.. we are already seeing a healthcare shortage.. by 2015 we WILL be in a total collapse mostly due to Obamacare.    Those of us who've been in business know what happens when they announce a law in advance.. usually 2-4 delay's follow and they don't include the ones that are hung up in the legal system like this one will be. States like Virginia and Florida and MORE will find those legal loopholes, they always do.. at least long enough to "Hang things up"
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

DMK

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2012, 03:33:00 PM »
Thank you Linda for stating things so well.  The post I started was foaming at the mouth a little  ;).  Thankfully our systems is full of checks and balances so we don't get TOO many half baked ideas crammed down our throats.  The legal system indeed will hold all this up because you can't MANDATE a purchase of a private product.

When Medical care costs more to provide than the income it generates (and it's close, right now!) no one will choose that profession.  Tort reform would do more to lower medical costs than anything else they could do.

When they wrote the Affordable Care Act, it sure doesn't seem like they asked the right people for input!

PMRNC

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2012, 06:39:28 PM »
Quote
When they wrote the Affordable Care Act, it sure doesn't seem like they asked the right people for input!

BINGO!!!!!!

They certainly didn't ask health care providers, or company owners!!    I have only met ONE provider who thought this was a good thing, he was an ER physician ONLY.. he gets a paycheck no sweat off his back  ::)   IF there are practices out there in favor of the ACA.. just wait. they won't be.  I paid the $240's to have the entire bill printed and I have gone through it. I love being approached by a potential with a question about the ACA :)
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

QueenAlicia

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2012, 12:50:41 AM »
Just to add a little I read that with the new CMS fee schedule for 2013 that reimbursements will be lower so how will EHR be helpful for a provider that has to attest that will not receive the incentive?  Just something that I have been thinking about here lately.

IF the super bill will become ancient then how as a billing company will the actual receipt of information be received?  Will be just be done by reading off of the charts off of the EHR system? So if there is a secondary bill that needs to be sent out or if a claim needs correction that will be done on EHR too?  I think that EHR will play a big part in recording patients information but it won't eliminate the need for a super bill.

ruthie72

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2012, 03:09:56 PM »
HI Alicia
I think that is where my job comes in..I am a billing coordinator at a hospital and I get I review all of the charts for the ER physicians to make sure they are getting all of the information correct on there...(I am still trying to gain my experience to become and acutal biller)...Hope this helps... ;)))

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Re: Is Obamacare Good for Billing business?
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2012, 03:09:56 PM »