Posting and invoicing of patients

[williamportor]

I have 2 clients whom I do billing, posting, and invoicing for. I took over when these 2 practices were far behind in all these areas, and have the billing and most of the posting caught up. Now my clients are asking me what "we" should do about invoicing their patients, many of whom have between 5 and 80 line items going back to mid 2018. Each line item falls into one of 3 categories:

1. It has a small owing balance after insurance has paid

2. It has a larger owing balance because (for a variety of reasons) insurance has not paid.

3. Is undetermined, since it has been billed, but insurance co. is still processing claims.

Right now I'm struggling just to keep up with claim submission and posting on these, as well as my other clients, let alone give advise on how to invoice their patients. One uses Office Ally, the other uses Chirotouch. I'm tempted to say something like "It's your practice...what do you want me to do??" or something of the sort, but I don't want to appear stupid. Any ideas??     

[Michele]

Maybe tone it down just a bit with something like "Well what would you like me to do?  If we are adding invoicing patients I will have to add that in to the contract and adjust the fee."  From previous threads/conversations I'm thinking you aren't getting paid enough for the work you are already doing so you need to make sure you add on if you are adding more work.  This might be a great opportunity to add "I underestimated the amount of work your account takes so I have to propose a fee increase of $x.xx effective August 1st" or something like that.  Hopefully you have proven to be worth it and they won't even blink at the increase.   

[williamportor]

Maybe tone it down just a bit with something like "Well what would you like me to do?  If we are adding invoicing patients I will have to add that in to the contract and adjust the fee."  From previous threads/conversations I'm thinking you aren't getting paid enough for the work you are already doing so you need to make sure you add on if you are adding more work.  This might be a great opportunity to add "I underestimated the amount of work your account takes so I have to propose a fee increase of $x.xx effective August 1st" or something like that.  Hopefully you have proven to be worth it and they won't even blink at the increase.   

Many Thanks - Sorry for all the silly questions but:

A. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and tend to stress over details.

B. Am continually astonished at these providers who, despite all their academic brilliance seem clueless at times as to how to run the very practice that they own.

Your idea of tracking billable hours has been great Michele. I called several Attorney's and asked how they do it. This has served double duty of billing my clients more accurately, as well making sure I'm spending my work time responsibility. Fees are going up very soon! 

[PMRNC]

have 2 clients whom I do billing, posting, and invoicing for. I took over when these 2 practices were far behind in all these areas, and have the billing and most of the posting caught up. Now my clients are asking me what "we" should do about invoicing their patients, many of whom have between 5 and 80 line items going back to mid 2018

Does your contract include patient statements? If so, should patient balances be billed with your patient billing cycles and those to which were not paid will stay pending for insurance payment?  I'm thinking if patient billing is in your contract you are already doing this? Or.. am I missing something?

[Michele]

Good question.  I assumed (ass-u-me  ) that it wasn't in the contract since it just came up now. 

[PMRNC]

Good question.  I assumed (ass-u-me  ) that it wasn't in the contract since it just came up now.

you could never be an ass

[Michele]

 Awww    Thanks.