Four Common Billing Mistakes - And How To Avoid Them

This article shows you how to avoid costly billing errors that lead to incorrect billing, denied claims, and lost revenue with some simple process adjustments.

In today's complex world of healthcare billing, practices can make some common—yet costly—errors that lead to incorrect billing, denied claims, and lost revenue. The good news is that many of these mistakes are avoidable with some adjustments to process, approach, and training.

Mistake 1: Incorrect data on the front end. This error often involves inaccurate patient demographic/insurance information or invalid insurance coverage. The main culprit: lack of verification. The best way to avoid this type of mistake is training, training, and more training! Staff responsible for patient check-in should be educated on the importance of collecting appropriate information and verifying insurance, as well as specific steps to accomplish these tasks. (Ideally, these processes should occur before the date of service to identify potential problems early, and to ensure patients understand their fiscal responsibilities.)

Review your front-desk staff's performance with regards to denials. If you find that there is an issue with collecting accurate demographic/ insurance information, for instance, then educate the staff on how to consistently obtain accurate information. Access This Content To Read This Case Study In Its Entirety.