For behavioral healthcare facilities, claim denials are more than just an administrative headache. They pose an ongoing problem that inhibits cash flow through your organization.
Not only that, but patients can also become frustrated if they receive bills for services that they assumed were covered by their insurance-and that, in many cases, they may not have the funds to pay for out of pocket.
The Logik Team has a three-pronged approach to significantly decrease claim denial. In this article, we’ll examine the first: minimizing human error.
Step One: Minimize Human Error
Millions of healthcare insurance claims are denied each year. All too often, those denials come, not because the patient’s insurance doesn’t cover the services, but because of human error somewhere along the way. These steps can help increase the odds that your claims will be approved.
Confirm the Patient’s Insurance at the Beginning of Each Appointment
Check the number in the system and ensure that it’s listed correctly while looking at the card or patient information, rather than waiting until a claim is denied to double-check that information.
This is particularly important at the beginning of the year when many companies change insurance providers or policies. Still, you should check with your patients any time they come into the office to make sure that their insurance hasn’t changed.
Double-Check All Billing Codes
The difference in a single number can be enough for an insurance company to deny a claim, leaving your patients without the coverage they expect from their insurance company.
Always double-check your billing codes before submission to ensure that the claim moves as seamlessly as possible.
Using a former version of those billing codes can also trigger a claim denial, so it’s crucial to ensure that everyone in your office remains updated on the latest codes.
Ensure Patient Billing Information is Accurate and Complete
To file an insurance claim, you may need the patient’s full name (spelled correctly), date of birth, and other personal details of the primary policyholder. If any of that information is missing or inaccurate, the insurance company may deny the patient’s claim. You should also carefully qualify the primary policyholder on the account to ensure that the claim is filed correctly.
It’s imperative to follow a process that ensures all these items are appropriately covered in your office and that your billing specialists don’t miss any critical details when filing a patient’s claim. Efficient billing software can also help double-check that information, identify inaccuracies, and ensure that you have the correct information in place before you send that claim to the insurance company.
Learn More: Download the Entire Guide
Logik
Optimizing billing is key to helping patients get the care they need, growing as an organization, and worrying less about your bottom line. To learn more about Logik’s billing solutions schedule a demo