Healthcare Provider's Top Questions...

1. How do we get our claims to you?
We will make arrangements with your office to establish a local pick from your office, have them faxed, mailed, or submitted to us electronically through a secure Internet connection. If you choose the electronic method, our software makes it very easy for you to get the superbills to us immediately via an Internet connection (see our online charge slips information).

2. Do you transmit claims electronically?
Yes - to those companies that are efficient with EMC (Electronic Medical Claims) and McKesson. We do process certain payers on paper only because they do not accept electronic claim submissions. Insurance carriers require that you are credentialed with them for us to be able to submit electronically on your behalf or to obtain online patient eligibility.

3. How quickly can you be up and running?
We request 2-4 weeks to ensure the smoothest transition possible and to have all EDI paperwork finialized. However, we can start the setup process immediately. Government EDI carriers can take 4-6 weeks and commercial EDI 1-2 weeks to process enrollment forms. We prefer to start at the beginning of the month so that it is easier for your practice to separate your previous dates of service from your turnover date. We'll need some specific practice information to get started such as practice name, address, UPIN, Tax ID, provider numbers, fee schedule, insurance policy information, etc.

4. How can you be more effective than our own office staff/billing company?
Our billing service's main focus is to obtain maximum reimbursement for the services you provide. We have the time and means to perform the claim follow-up on every level. We stay abreast on all of the current insurance regulations and HIPAA & OIG guidelines. Utilizing our billing service will relieve the stresses of your staff do the billing and reduce the in-office workflow. Making more time for your patients and their needs.

5. How do we get our existing patient information to you?
We ask that you provide us the most current patient registration information as you see them along with copies of their insurance cards. This gives us the opportunity to start fresh with your data and have your patients re-registered into our advanced software program. If your office has a scanner available our software program allows you to scan and store the patients insurance cards right into their file.

6. Where are the insurance payments going?
All insurance payments go directly to your office, your payments are never handled by us. You then send us the copied EOBs and checks.

7. How often are my claims processed?
Within 24 hours of receipt your claims will be ready for processing. Obviously, if we need to gather additional information from your practice, we will contact you for that information, and prepare those claims for processing at a later time. Complete and organized information from your office will expedite our billing and your payments; this is extremely important. Our first priority is to maintain a steady income in order for your practice to run smoothly.

8. How do I know that my patient's information is secure?
We have a state-of-the-art network that backs up all client data several times per day. Our staff all sign confidentiality agreements and we don't give out any information over the phone to anyone but patients, or responsible parties. Our contract addresses this question in more detail.

9. Does your company allow clients to connect to the software for daily operations?
Yes - through our advanced software your practice will be able to connect and access all patient information in real-time mode, FREE. You can add or edit any information in the patient registration or schedule, which eliminates your practice having to buy any additional software.

10. How does Preferred Medical Services handle patient billing?
Patient statements are generated on a daily basis to inform the patients of activity on their accounts. Should it be necessary, we offer soft collections where we will contact the patients by a series of letters and phone calls regarding any delinquent balances. We will contact your office and make recommendations for possible outside collections activity, if necessary. We will work closely with your office to be sure that your patients' accounts are handled in a manner that meets your approval.

11. What type of practices does Preferred Medical Services usually work with?
Our medical billing services are flexible enough to work with just about any practice, 90% of billing is billing, no matter what the specialty. The other 10% tends to be specialty specific nuances. We have experienced everything from Family Medicine, to Pediatrics, to Urology, Gastroenterology, Podiatry, Fertility/Impotence, and Mental Health but can bill any practice/specialty.

12. Does Preferred Medical Services assist patients with billing inquiries?
Yes. We take a personal customer service approach to assisting your patients with their billing questions. We know the impression we leave with your patients makes an impact on their impression of your practice and will report any complaints or problems directly to you.

13. What are Preferred Medical Services fees?
Our fees are always based on a percentage of collections. We don't charge based on claims submitted, but on reimbursements received as a result of our services. Most of our services are all-inclusive so that you don't have to pick and choose which is best for your practice. This approach directly ties our success with yours and creates an immediate incentive for us to work together toward the same goals.

We charge all of our clients less than the national average of 8.5%, we do consider a prospective client's claim volume, average reimbursement, and specialty prior to making a proposal.

14. How do I review my fees and will you assist in watching insurance reimbursements?
We advise our clients when reviewing fees, or re-setting your fees to work from the most recent Medicare allowed fee structure and multiply by 200%. We continually monitor your reimbursement rates, make sure that you are billing the correct fees and using the most up-to-date CPT codes. We will provide the appropriate advice on insurance carriers contracts when deemed necessary.
 

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Preferred Medical Services will help you take control of your entire practice's revenue and claims management processes.