i have been looking for an efficient, low cost/free system of practice management and billing, and here are the current conditions:
the pm features of AC are minimal, and the lab interface with further development of a patient registry for preventive and chronic care is the current top priority.
ezclaim (EZ) is one solution, however it costs 500$, and still initially requires double entry with respect to the payer library. EZ does have some other features, like aging and accounts receivable. overall, i have found it cumbersome and confusing to use. there is also a monthly fee to interface with an electronic clearinghouse.
i have called EZ and spoken with the author, al nagy, and asked him to make appropriate changes such that any double entry is avoided and it is less cumbersome to use; i don't know if that's happened.
in the meantime, i learned about office ally (OA), which is free.
unfortunately, right now, the exported AC billing file format is not in an acceptable OA format.
scslmd here created a file converter, which i have tried, but it does not work without several machinations.
however, OA does have online claim entry, which i have started using, and it's pretty easy, even though there is significant double entry. i have dual monitors, so i bring up the AC cms form on one screen, and enter the information into the online OA cms form on the other.
the information entered is saved, and that's a big timesaver when filling out claims either for the same insurer and/or patient.
i have asked OA to email jon their acceptable file formats, so jon can make simple fixes to the exported file to be compatible with OA, and i am waiting for this.
OA is also coming out with a free pm solution, with accounts receivable, but it's not there yet.
so, for right now, i am using OA online entry, and keeping track with their downloadable reports, and in AC on the patient account tab. AC also will print out invoices to send patients for their co-insurance payment, and i believe the invoice can be folded for a left window envelope.
the only remaining costs are for envelopes and postage.
no attachment to anyone/anything.
hope that's helpful.
