The billing of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is different from other typical medical coding and billing procedures. Since all DME is classified under HCPCS Level II, billers must possess specialized knowledge of HCPCS Level II codes for error-free billing. Additionally, as DME involves expensive equipment that is rented more often than purchased, there is a greater need to know how to code claims and send them for reimbursement. This makes the administration of DME a resource-intensive and risky task. Hence, to mitigate the risks, practices prefer to outsource the job to a reliable DME billing company that assumes the responsibility for preparing and filing the DME claims to increase the chances of reimbursement.
Here are the primary reasons why care providers should outsource their Durable Medical Equipment billing
Access to Billing Experts
As DME billing requires special skills and resources, outsourcing gives the client access to the services of specialists who put it in better control of the billing process. The well-trained vendor professionals draw on their vast experience to tackle the DME billing challenges that may otherwise be a problem for the in-house team. The external DME medical billing company would efficiently handle everything from follow-ups to patient information verification and A/R collections, to ensure optimum outcomes for the client.
Better Cash Flow
A correct and accurate billing process implies a higher claim approval rate and better cash inflow. With an external DME billing partner, the claims turnaround time is also reduced drastically, implying quick reimbursements. Another advantage is that the vendor eliminates the client’s dependency on its internal billing staff, which also reduces operating costs.
Elevated Customer Experience
The high prices of durable medical equipment is also a significant concern for the patients and their families, owing to which, they frequently call the provider to discuss the DME billing. The vendor can connect such patients directly to expert medical representatives who can answer their questions and address their complaints satisfactorily, thus enhancing the es up the time patient experience.
Risk Mitigation
When a certified services provider handles the DME billing procedure, it is also responsible for safeguarding patient information and critical business data of the client. A HIPAA-compliant vendor would have the latest security infrastructure to conduct the billing operations and store the data safely, thus eliminating the chances of data loss.
Regulatory Compliance
Healthcare is a dynamic industry with frequently changing rules and regulations that are not easy to comply with at all times. But the penalty and other business losses that non-compliance can bring for care providers force them to seek expensive billing solutions that directly hit their bottom line. Outsourcing this cumbersome task helps the client to be on top of the latest changes and frees up time of the management to work on the value-adding aspects of the business.
For providers, their primary concern must be the well-being of patients and not the administrative and financial tasks such as billing and claims filing. A well-established DME billing company can handle all such non-core activities of the client and shift the focus back on the patient.
