The waning days of 2009 will soon give way to a New Year, signaling a fresh beginning for many healthcare providers whose practices produced less-than-stellar bottom lines at year-end.

 

"We always hope the next year will be better than the last," said Minerva DeJesus, co-founder of Simple Solution Billing in Maitland. "It's why we work so hard at our jobs trying to preserve our businesses and making them more successful with each day that passes."

 

Running a successful medical practice is a goal that cannot be accomplished without key ingredients, such as providing exceptional medical care, outstanding customer service, "marvelous marketing" to let the people know where to go for care, and thorough medical billing processes to keep the doors open, said Auriana Reyes, co-founder of Simple Solution Billing in Maitland and owner of a local ultrasound company.

 

"Every element mentioned is important as they work together to create success," she said.

 

DeJesus said that people requiring medical attention need to know more than simply where your practice is located.

 

"Patients need to know they can trust the person that's managing their health," she said. "They also need to know that the employees working at the practice also have their best interest at heart. They even need to know that the medical billing clerks care about their coverage, while also having the ability to explain their benefits when necessary, and to make sure the services they require won't drain patients' bank accounts.

 

"It's what will keep patients coming back to you," said Reyes. "The level of patience and understanding will only reach a certain point before a patient decides to find another physician. If the patient feels the place they've chosen for healthcare is disorganized and the staff unconcerned, they'll find another place with staff that cares—and runs like a well oiled machine."

 

Reyes said it's been proven that enhancing customer service and implementing smart marketing strategies can boost business.

 

"However, there's that other component that oftentimes gets ignored … perhaps the most important component as it represents the heart of the practice that keeps things flowing … and that's medical billing," she said. "Without efficient medical billing practices in place, physicians will not get reimbursed from the insurance companies for services rendered. As a result, physicians will not meet their overhead, employees will not be paid, and doors will eventually close."

 

DeJesus encouraged healthcare providers to take the last few days of the month to review their medical billing processes.

 

"One simple task can give you insight into what's going on with your medical billing—reviewing your aging report," she said. "It's something you can do on your own without asking your medical biller. If you ask your medical biller for an aging report and it's not printed right away, that's a red flag."

 

On the other hand, Reyes pointed out, "You don't want to make an incompetent medical biller aware that you're looking into their work."

 

"An efficient medical biller won't care because that person will be proud of their hard work as they have nothing to hide," said DeJesus. "A medical biller that's not so proud will write things off to demonstrate a clean aging report with no pending claims."

 

Reyes urged healthcare providers to do their own investigation by navigating their medical billing software to find the aging report.

 

"There should be a place that demonstrates money out over 30 days, over 60 days, over 90 days, and over 120 days," she said. "Keeping in mind that insurance companies do have 45 days to pay a claim, you shouldn't have numerous claims and thousands of dollars over 120 days. If you do, find out why, what's been done regarding each claim, and what else needs to be done to get those claims paid. It's the end of the year. Physicians should not have claims out from January, February, March, April, May, or June without any documentation."

 

If healthcare providers continue to see the same or higher number of patients, yet notice a drop in finances, they may need to pay more attention to medical billing.

 

"Making sure every piece of the formula is efficiently working together towards a better day ensures a brighter future," said DeJesus. Added Reyes: "May 2010 be your year!"

 

  

Minerva DeJesus and Audi Reyes founded Simple Solution Billing in Maitland.