One of the major issues in DME billing is the lack of clear patient-provider communication about payment discussions before and during the treatment. A streamlined DME billing process with DME medical billing software can help you effectively communicate with your patients whenever a query arises, eliminating the need for payment discussions during billing.
The following blog discusses the role of communication in streamlined DME billing to steer clear of payment discussions with the patients.
Importance of Patient-Provider Communication for Timely Payments
Did you know something as simple as communication with your patients can affect your practice’s profitability? Yes, that’s right! A failure to communicate effectively with the patients can result in decreased revenue. When patients do not understand the billing and payment structure beforehand, they might delay payments or choose not to reveal all the payment details, such as health insurance information. Effective patient-provider communication can eliminate issues leading to payment discussions and delays.
Ensure Timely Payments with DME Medical Billing Software
Investing in effective DME medical billing software allows for a streamlined DME billing and payments process. Here are some ways to use the software to communicate with your patients and improve the payment process.
- Convey Healthcare Costs to Patients
As a healthcare provider, you are familiar with the healthcare revenue cycle. However, your patients are not. Copays, deductibles, and coinsurance are terms foreign to a layman. Therefore, your medical staff must inform the patient of all the relevant areas of the payment process. A streamlined DME billing process can help the staff to communicate and explain the following:
- The services offered and at what cost
- The amount paid by the insurance company
- The amount to be paid by the patients
- Copays that are due at the time of the visit
- Health insurance and medical terms that help patients understand their financial situation
Conveying all this information before the patient visits your facility can help eliminate the need for payment discussions during DME billing.
- Inform Patients about Additional Healthcare Costs
One of the significant factors in streamlining DME billing is to be transparent about all fees so that it does not result in mistakes or errors during DME billing. As a healthcare provider, you or your staff should regularly update the healthcare costs to the patients. Treatment costs should be discussed at the same time as sharing the treatment plan with the patient. Regularly conveying all the costs will also eliminate payment discussions between you and your provider at the last minute.
The initial cost conversation should be held between you and the patient, as you know the necessity of recommended procedures. However, if the exact cost of the procedure cannot be predicted due to variations in insurance plans, the patient should be encouraged to talk to their insurance provider about the expected cost.
- Implement a Simple Billing Format
One-on-one conversations with patients may not always be possible. Therefore, non-verbal communication is as important as verbal communication in healthcare payment. The most effective non-verbal communication method is keeping the billing statement easy to read and understand. With DME medical billing software, your staff can ensure listing all the important details on the bill.
The patient must be able to find the services provided, total charges, insurance payments, and other charges due. Patients may delay payments if they cannot understand the information completely.
- Improve Patient Care With Payment Ease
Patient experience has rapidly moved to the forefront of healthcare practice priorities. Like any other industry serving customers, medical practice today also pays more attention to patient care and long-term retention by offering a seamless experience. How to provide a seamless experience, you ask? By offering payment convenience to your patients!
DME medical billing software can offer patients more online and electronic payment options. It also provides portals to help patients understand the bills and the amount due for their care. As a result, the need for payment discussions gets eliminated.
- Ensure Patient Satisfaction with a Pleasant Interaction
Healthcare providers must offer an excellent care experience to all their patients. Another way to improve patient experience, apart from payment options, is a pleasant interaction. Patients with a more positive feeling towards you and your staff will more likely pay their medical bills on time, without unnecessary discussions.
On the other hand, if your staff interacts in an unpleasant, robotic manner, the patient will have a negative feeling towards your practice. This can lead to lengthy discussions and reduced revenue.
Struggling to Manage DME Billing Payments? Outsource to MBSN!
Collecting timely payments from the patients boils down to effective medical billings. It not only helps patients understand the payments, but it also comes in handy while filing claims with insurance companies. Taking some simple steps to streamline your DME billing process can drastically increase your collections and revenue. Or, if you want to free yourself of the burden of billing and collections, you can outsource your DME billing to Medical Billing Solutions Nationwide!
With about 25 years of experience in the industry, we will help you with error-free billing, allowing you to focus on patient care and treatment. Moreover, outsourcing your billing requirements will eliminate payment discussions between you and the patients. Get in touch with an expert at MBSN to learn more about our services.
