Ambulance billing is made up of unique rules and regulations governing the entire process. Deep knowledge of the same ensures a smooth revenue cycle enabling full reimbursement. Every year brings with it a new set of regulations, also bringing with it a significant change in the process of billing. In order to make sure continued compliance, it is mandatory for the billers to stay updated with all the current happenings that are liable of affecting the billing and coding. Attending an emergency at the same time ensuring complete and proper documentation is crucial for Ambulance Transportation service providers.
A dedicated team for documentation and submitting claims can be a great relief. The presence of an ambulance billing manager can significantly assist in evaluating the knowledge level of the staff which if not adept, can prove detrimental to the billing operation. Following tips can be helpful in assuring no revenue loss and enhancing the profitability of the service.
Tips to Improve Ambulance Transportation Revenue:
1. Record Unusual Circumstances
Every detail, whether it should be mentioned on the claim or not, must be documented. This could include an equipment failure, or transport being declined by the patient or the fact that on-scene time was much longer than expected, etc. Such unusual circumstances are rare, although the plausibility of them happening cannot be declined. In most organizations, mentioning these in additional forms could assist in faster reimbursement.
2. Complete Documentation
Having transitioned from paper to electronic documentation, most EMS systems have proven convenient for recoding data, however, could get challenging while documenting services provided, at the moment. It is important you are completely aware of such systems and mention every piece of information, rather than relying on mere memory. Attending to the patient may need you to fill in details post the treatment, which may end up in some missing details. Hence complete documentation is crucial.
3. Days to Payment
Commercial payers pay forty-five days to post the date of service whereas Medicare pays fourteen days after a claim has been received electronically. It is imperative you have a sound process of follow-up in place, thus helping in having your payments received on time.
4. Avoid Compliance Risks
There is great variation in the commission rates and Ambulance Service providers must be cautious of the rates that seem visibly good. Most EMS providers do not actually check the patient chart and instead rely on an electronic interface for specific fields to be prepopulated which may cause compliance risks.
Ensuring the collection of every dollar for Ambulance Transportation is vital for a profitable service. Being able to reach the patient on time and also ensuring errorless documentation is both critical for timely and complete reimbursement.
Medical Billers and Coders (MBC) is a leading outsourcing medical billing company providing complete revenue cycle services. To know more about our Ambulance Transportation billing services, contact us at: info@medicalbillersandcoders.com/888-357-3226.