Dan,
If you get a PM as an interim solution, remember that you will be using that software until every claim has been cleared. There is no transferring of claims from one PM to another.
That depends on the situation. I have converted data from different PM's. In some cases it's pretty easy, in others it can be harder. The real question is can you get to the data. If the PM is online, you are truly at their mercy. If the PM is in-house, chances are usually fairly decent.
There may be a significant drain on your server and network.
Not sure why you would say that. PM's use a database just like AC does and so won't cause any more drain than anything else.
Nationally, the average for unpaid claims is 17% as of a few years ago. This is the profit for the insurers. You are supposed to be to busy to fight for the hardest problem claims and be happy with a fraction.
By our experience, the commerical payors are angels compared to Medicare/Medicaid.
As I grew, the best thing I ever did was hire a young person with the right skill set to be a good assistant to my in-house biller. I also have a program that guides them to the most important claims. You have to have adequate manpower and proper skills to dominate the insurers. They have to chase every claim on the telephone and fix anything necessary to get paid.
I don't think it's a matter of dominating the insurers. I think your point of having a good staff and doing follow-ups is key. Entering data correctly the first time is what counts. I see way to many:
* Patients with missing demographic information
* CPT's with missing modifiers
* Incorrectly mapped diag codes
Believe me, I can make that list long.
JamesNT
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