I agree completely w/ Leslie.
I do not outsource billing because our collections tend to be better than a billing service. Many local services will claim 5-6% in Maine, but with hidden monthly fees it can easily top 9-10%. Some have even told me that they can get 90-95% collections. They try to make it sound like they can get 90-95% of WHAT I CHARGE, however this is a lie...no one can possibly achieve that. Maybe they can get 90-95% of what my insurers discounted fees are.
But what about patient balances?
We do well w/ my biller, because she is kind yet firm. She represents my office and therefore she represents me. Patients will pay their balances because they respect me. They are less likely to pay their account balances to some faceless billing service. For those few patients who are chronically late in paying or have never paid a bill, then I will discharge them from the practice. Perhaps harsh, but even some of the most indigent patients can afford $5/month. Considering we discount private pay by approx 50% if they pay on the spot, I don't think it's too much to ask for a return in good will from the patient.
Plus you never really know how ruthless your billing service is. But I occasionally overhear my biller on the phone and she does a good job, kind but persistent and firm.
We also use Medware by Sage. I don't have any problem in using two systems (AC and Medware). Since Medware is a much better billing program, I would prefer to ensure good collections than to rely completely on an all-in-one EMR/practice management solution.
