Amber, Gene, JamesNT.
I would agree we are not likely comparing the same numbers.
As I stated, our local average collection ratio is around 50-55%. By doing private billing we are beating the local averages at 62-63%, AND I'm doing it for less overhead expense than if I outsourced billing. I'm in Maine not Alaska where rules may be different.
I agree with Gene that if you are a practice accepting Medicare, it's totally impossible to have high collection ratios. We bill approx 5% over the best reimbursing insurers. Using this method we get nearly 100% of our asking price from the best insurers. This means that the worst insurer (Medicare) reimburses in our geographic area at approx 50% of our asking price.
My statements were simply statements of fact, not intended to generate arguments about why so-and-so's practice can get 80-90% collection ratios and why our practice is so horrible at collection ratios. The point is simply that we are doing better than our larger competitors. Why? I believe it's b/c we have a biller with a face that patient's can talk to. They are more likely to pay a small practice like us whom they respect, not a faceless entity in another state with whom they cannot speak to the same person twice. At my office they have one and only one certified biller in which to direct questions. thank you.
