Medical billing errors are prevalent and can happen to any company. They often stem from a lack of understanding of the medical industry or insufficient staff who know how to code properly, especially in the medical billing companies. There are many ways to reduce these errors, but it is important to be proactive before your customers start complaining. At Integrity Billing, we specialize in billing and other healthcare management services. This blog post will discuss the most frequent medical billing errors companies make – some you might be making yourself without even realizing it.
1. Not understanding the medical industry.
This is one of the most common medical billing errors companies make. They may not understand what services are covered by insurance, how to code procedures properly, or what is considered a reimbursable expense. All of this can lead to mistakes when submitting claims and result in lost revenue for your company. However, outsourced medical billing services can help solve this problem.
2. Failure of verification of benefits for insurance.
Another common mistake companies make is failing to verify insurance coverage. Before submitting a claim, it is important to make sure that the patient’s insurance plan covers the service you are providing. If it’s not, you could be on the hook for the full cost of the procedure.
3. Not submitting claims on time.
This medical billing error can often be attributed to a lack of staffing or understanding of how the system works. When claims are not submitted on time, you run the risk of them being denied due to insufficient documentation. And if they are denied, you will have to resubmit them. However, an outsourced medical billing service provider can help solve this mistake.
4. Incorrect coding.
This is one of the most common medical billing errors and can lead to significant financial losses for your company. Incorrect coding can result from not having enough staff familiar with medical coding guidelines, or it could be due to human error. Either way, it is important to have a system to check coded claims before submitting them to ensure accuracy.
5. Not following up on denied claims.
If an insurance company denies a claim, it is important to follow up on it as soon as possible. Often, all you need to do is provide additional documentation, and the claim will be approved. However, if you don’t follow up on denied claims, you could end up losing money.
6. Filing duplicate claims.
This medical billing error often occurs when companies submit duplicate claims for already billed procedures. This can be a costly mistake, leading to claims being denied and additional administrative work.
7. Not verifying patient insurance eligibility.
It is important to verify that the patient is eligible for coverage before providing services. If you provide services to someone who is not covered by their insurance plan, you will be responsible for the full cost of the procedure. Therefore, verification of benefits is essential to ensure the eligibility of patients.
8. Failing to follow up on unpaid bills.
Often, bills go unpaid because patients forget or don’t have the money to pay them. Therefore, it is important to follow up on unpaid bills on time to get paid what you are owed.
These are just some of the most common errors that medical billing companies make. By being aware of these mistakes and taking the necessary steps to avoid them, you can ensure that your medical billing process is as accurate and efficient as possible. If you are looking for more tips on how to improve your medical billing process, contact Integrity Billing.
