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	<title>MEREM Health</title>
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	<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/</link>
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		<title>Technology: The Good and The Bad</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/technology-the-good-and-the-bad/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:42:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing and Co...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing Audits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical coding and bil...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Coding Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outsourced Medical Bil...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Patient Pre-Collections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue Cycle Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Collections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical billing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing and Coding Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical coding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[patient collections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Practice Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue Cycle]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=2185</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Certainly, let&#8217;s discuss technology, specifically focusing on billing software in the context of a billing company. Technological advances have indeed revolutionized the way billing and financial operations are managed. However, like any tool, billing software has its advantages and disadvantages, and its effectiveness depends on various factors, including the company&#8217;s understanding and utilization of the...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/technology-the-good-and-the-bad/">Technology: The Good and The Bad</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Certainly, let&#8217;s discuss technology, specifically focusing on billing software in the context of a billing company. Technological advances have indeed revolutionized the way billing and financial operations are managed. However, like any tool, billing software has its advantages and disadvantages, and its effectiveness depends on various factors, including the company&#8217;s understanding and utilization of the software, as well as the education and procedures in place for employees.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="408" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/technology-1024x408.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2189" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/technology-1024x408.jpg 1024w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/technology-300x119.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/technology-768x306.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/technology-1536x611.jpg 1536w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/technology-2048x815.jpg 2048w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/technology-640x255.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>The Good:</strong></p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Efficiency</strong>: Billing software can significantly increase efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, such as data entry and invoice generation. This can save time and reduce the risk of human error.</li>



<li><strong>Accuracy</strong>: Modern billing software is designed to be highly accurate, reducing the likelihood of billing errors that can lead to financial disputes or regulatory issues.</li>



<li><strong>Cost Reduction</strong>: Using billing software can reduce the need for extensive manual labor, leading to cost savings in terms of employee salaries and operational expenses.</li>



<li><strong>Data Security</strong>: Good billing software often includes robust security features to protect sensitive financial data from breaches and cyberattacks.</li>



<li><strong>Analytics and Reporting</strong>: Many billing software solutions come with built-in analytics and reporting tools, allowing companies to gain insights into their financial performance and make data-driven decisions.</li>
</ol>



<p><strong>The Bad:</strong></p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Cost of Implementation</strong>: Implementing billing software can be expensive, including the initial purchase cost, training, and potential customization to fit the company&#8217;s specific needs.</li>



<li><strong>Learning Curve</strong>: Billing software can be complex, and employees may require training to use it effectively. This learning curve can lead to temporary disruptions in operations.</li>



<li><strong>Dependency on Technology</strong>: Relying heavily on technology can be risky if there are system failures, technical glitches, or if the software becomes outdated.</li>



<li><strong>Security Concerns</strong>: While billing software can enhance security, it can also be vulnerable to hacking and data breaches if not properly protected and maintained.</li>



<li><strong>Lack of Customization</strong>: Some billing software may not fully meet a company&#8217;s unique requirements, necessitating additional development or workarounds.</li>
</ol>



<p>Regarding the billing company&#8217;s usage of the software, it&#8217;s crucial for them to:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Understand the Software</strong>: The billing company should have a thorough understanding of the software&#8217;s capabilities and limitations to maximize its benefits.</li>



<li><strong>Employee Training</strong>: Adequate training programs should be in place to ensure that employees are proficient in using the software efficiently and securely.</li>



<li><strong>Procedures and Compliance</strong>: The billing company must establish procedures that align with industry regulations and best practices to ensure compliance when using the software.</li>



<li><strong>Regular Updates</strong>: Keeping the software up to date is crucial for security and taking advantage of new features or improvements.</li>



<li><strong>Data Backup and Recovery</strong>: Robust backup and recovery procedures should be in place to protect against data loss.</li>
</ul>



<p>In conclusion, while billing software offers numerous advantages, it&#8217;s essential for billing companies to carefully consider both the advantages and disadvantages and take steps to mitigate potential pitfalls. Proper education, training, and procedural safeguards are crucial for harnessing the full potential of technology in billing operations while minimizing risks. Fortunately, Merem Healthcare Solutions encompasses ways to mitigate both the bad and good in technology, so you don&#8217;t have to worry about anything related to your revenue cycle management operations. </p>



<div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"></div>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="135" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Merem-logo-1-line-1024x135.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2193" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Merem-logo-1-line-1024x135.jpg 1024w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Merem-logo-1-line-300x40.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Merem-logo-1-line-768x101.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Merem-logo-1-line-1536x203.jpg 1536w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Merem-logo-1-line-2048x270.jpg 2048w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Merem-logo-1-line-640x84.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/technology-the-good-and-the-bad/">Technology: The Good and The Bad</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Principles of Improving Patient Procedure Collections</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/principles-of-improving-patient-procedure-collections/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:26:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing and Co...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing Audits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue Cycle Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical billing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing and Coding Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[patient collections]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=2110</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It has never been more important to the financial health of your practice to have an efficient patient pre-collections program in place. The goal is to get patients to pay in full prior to the procedure. The motto for getting paid is to Ask Early and Ask Often for Payment. The fact is, the further...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/principles-of-improving-patient-procedure-collections/">Principles of Improving Patient Procedure Collections</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>It has never been more important to the financial health of your practice to have an efficient patient pre-collections program in place.  The goal is to get patients to pay in full prior to the procedure.  </p>



<p>The motto for getting paid is to <em>Ask Early and Ask Often for Payment. </em></p>



<p>The fact is, the further into the collections process you go, the less likely a patient is to pay in full. If your practice’s patient collection efforts only go as far as issuing statements and generating “bad debt” reports of accounts that are turned over to collections, it’s likely that less than 50% of those collection balances will be recovered. </p>



<p>If this describes your practice, an improved strategy for Patient “Pre-Collections” that is both aggressive and fair should be implemented. Revenue for services rendered is the lifeblood of any facility, and if patients need to foot 40% of the bill, you can’t afford to miss out.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Discuss payment expectations when you discuss procedure and appointment setting. If unable to pay in full, collecting a nominal portion the day before or the day of may make it worth proceeding. </li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Collect a portion of co-pays upfront from patients. This isn’t always possible in the case of many emergency room admissions, but it is for specialty services such as elective surgeries and ancillary procedures.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Point of Service Collections</h2>



<p>Point of service collections is just as important as insurance collections. Missed co-pays can quickly add up to a significant revenue loss. In the long run, point of service collections helps to cut down on statement costs and patient AR.</p>



<p>In order to </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Patient
billing is a significant problem for patients and providers.</strong></h2>



<p>ensure patients
understand their coverage and are aware of their responsibilities — and that
you get paid. Develop a self-pay policy, communicate it clearly to both staff
and patients, and self-pay collection will become an integral part of your
practice workflow.</p>



<p>People are not aware of their deductibles for specific procedures but when the time comes, it’s often the front office staff that has to educate patients about their insurance and the agreed-upon patient responsibility. Oftentimes, patients who hold high deductible health plans and other aggressive patient cost-sharing models are unpleasantly surprised with they find our they are ultimately responsible for their surgery. Patients who need to pay out of pocket for some or all of their medical care are frustrated by difficulties understanding what’s covered and what they owe, the lack of options for payment plans, and the poor timing of bills and communication around the process.</p>



<p>Front office staff
are intimidated to collect payments or have not perfected <strong>Point-of-service collections, </strong>the
art of asking for payment. </p>



<p>collecting some or all of
the co-pay upon admission or before services are rendered</p>



<p>For Example: </p>



<p><strong>Don’t Ask:</strong> CAN you can pay today? </p>



<p><strong>Ask:</strong> How WILL you pay today?</p>



<p><strong>Make it easy for patients to pay. </strong>9 times out of 10, patients say they want to be able to pay their medical bills online. Facilities and healthcare providers can help ease the burden for patients by setting up customized payment plans, using patients’ preferred payment methods — which helps ensure that bills will be paid.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-subtle-pale-green-background-color has-background"><tbody><tr><td>
  
   
    
    
     
      
      <strong>FAQ Billing/Pre-Collections</strong>
      
      
     
    
    
    
   
  
  </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>What is their bill for? </strong><br>Deductible, Copay, Co-insurance        <br><br><strong>Has insurance been processed?</strong> <br>It is always processed prior to billing the patient as long as insurance was provided at the time of service.<br><br><strong>Can they set up payment arrangements?</strong> <br>Of course! Our Pre-collections Team will be happy to assist you in setting up a payment arrangement for any balance.&nbsp;        <br><br><strong>Where/how can my patients&nbsp;pay&nbsp;their bill?</strong> <br>Online at <a href="https://meremhealth.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f92f8f71a2195d8e8f20f578b&amp;id=46291933c1&amp;e=8daaceb050">www.Meremhealth.com</a>, via telephone at 205.329.7519, at your physician&#8217;s office, or&nbsp;by mail. <br><br><strong>Should we get a lockbox for our insurance payments, and give you all access?</strong> <br>Yes, this makes the process of payment posting and claims follow up a lot quicker and easier. It cuts out the chance of things getting lost in the transition from your office to ours and also allows us to quickly identify any issues with payers not paying to the right location. <br><br><strong>Are x-rays covered within&nbsp;the post-op treatment for my patients? </strong><br>No. Co-pays for office visits are included within your post-op treatment but any additional x-rays and injections will not.                                                    </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>We don’t just set up a payment framework and then
walk away; we are committed to giving providers the analytics, technology
infrastructure, clinical support, and other resources that increase their
likelihood of success. We also try to understand and address their challenges;
for example, knowing that cash flow is a big issue, we’ve worked to make
billing cycles shorter and more predictable.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/principles-of-improving-patient-procedure-collections/">Principles of Improving Patient Procedure Collections</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<title>Outsource to Avoid Medical Billing and Coding Errors!</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/outsource-to-avoid-medical-billing-and-coding-errors/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jul 2019 14:42:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing and Co...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical coding and bil...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Coding Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outsourced Medical Bil...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical billing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical coding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outsourced Solutions]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=2003</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>By utilizing an experienced team of medical billers and coders who are knowledgeable in various specialty medical codes and trends, you can rest assured that things are being handled properly behind the scenes while you and your medical team can take care of patients upfront. Chances are what first brought you into the healthcare industry...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/outsource-to-avoid-medical-billing-and-coding-errors/">Outsource to Avoid Medical Billing and Coding Errors!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" width="806" height="482" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Medical-Team-Players.jpg" alt="A picture of medical team players." class="wp-image-2100" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Medical-Team-Players.jpg 806w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Medical-Team-Players-300x179.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Medical-Team-Players-768x459.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Medical-Team-Players-640x383.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 806px) 100vw, 806px" /></figure></div>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align:center">By utilizing an experienced team of medical billers and coders who are knowledgeable in various specialty medical codes and trends, you can rest assured that things are being handled properly behind the scenes while you and your medical team can take care of patients upfront. </h6>



<p>Chances are what first brought you into the healthcare industry was wanting to help others. You wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and give them more quality years. However, as you started your own private medical practice, you probably saw it was filled practice management tasks leaving you with less time with patients and more time behind a desk dealing with insurance and other revenue cycle demands. <br></p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Be More Proactive in Your Medical Billing and Coding</strong></h1>



<p>According to <em><a href="http://www.healthcarebusinesstech.com/">Healthcare Business &amp; Technology</a></em>, more than 80% of medical bills contain errors. Medical billing errors are the biggest reason for the disruption of cash flow in a physician practice. </p>



<p>Fortunately, by making sure everyone on your team is on the same page when it comes to documentation (as well as having a strong medical billing and coding team), you can greatly <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/tips-for-improving-your-denials-management/">reduce these errors</a> so that cash flow in your medical practice continues to move in the right direction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>No Errors Allowed!</strong></h2>



<p>As you well know, most medical billing errors are due to:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Incorrect patient information, which includes insurance provider information</li><li>Duplicate billing</li><li>Poor documentation</li><li>Unclear claim numbers</li><li>Wrong codes being used</li></ul>



<p>However, by putting the proper training in place and outsourcing your medical billing and coding services, you can ensure that a majority of your claims will not be denied. </p>



<p>When these medical billing and coding errors take place, claims come back denied. <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/how-to-handle-a-claims-adjustment/">Resubmitting a fixed claim denial</a> with the correct information can take weeks for review and approval on the other end. In addition, this puts a delay in not only payment from insurance but also slows down the payment received from the patient. </p>



<p>Medical billing errors add up quickly. Before you know it, your medical practice is starting to lose money rather than gain. However, by utilizing an experienced team of specialized medical billers and coders who are knowledgeable in various medical codes and trends, you can rest assured that things are being handled properly behind the scenes while you and your medical team can take care of patients upfront. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Give Your Patients the Experience They Deserve</strong></h2>



<p>Even during a normal health care checkup, a patient’s anxiety can be high. Therefore, having a warm welcome can make all the difference in starting the patient’s experience off on the right foot within your medical practice. </p>



<p>Allow our team to handle the billing and coding services behind the scenes so that your front office staff, along with other members of your medical team, can focus on the patients walking through your door and providing them with the best experience possible! </p>



<p>Remember, happy patients will not only return. The chances are high that they will bring friends! </p>



<p></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Discover how our team at MEREM Healthcare Solutions in Birmingham, AL, can help your medical practice avoid medical billing and coding errors. </em></strong></h3>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/"><em>Merem Healthcare Solutions</em></a><em> offers services for every step in a practice’s revenue cycle management. We can start from the beginning from credentialing and end with payment posting once an account has been satisfied. We offer a wide range of solutions which include auditing, billing, coding, consulting, credentialing, payment posting, practice management, and pre-collections training. Check us out </em><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/"><em>on our website</em></a><em> or feel free to call us to see how we can help run your practice like a well-oiled machine &#8211; (205) 329-7519.</em></h6>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/outsource-to-avoid-medical-billing-and-coding-errors/">Outsource to Avoid Medical Billing and Coding Errors!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Next Level Coding Begins with Improved Documentation</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/next-level-coding-begins-with-improved-documentation/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jul 2019 14:14:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical Coding Company]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clinical Documentation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coding Errors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Specialty Physician documentation]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=2057</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Incomplete or vague documentation can lead to a major loss in billable revenue. By making sure you include the 4 following details in every dictation, Coders can determine the correct level codes are claimed so that you are reimbursed adequately.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/next-level-coding-begins-with-improved-documentation/">Next Level Coding Begins with Improved Documentation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2058" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1.png 560w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-300x169.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></figure></div>



<p>We asked our expert coders: </p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>“</em><strong><em>What is the #1 thing that can be done immediately to increase reimbursements?</em></strong><em>”</em></p>



<p>You may be surprised by the answer:&nbsp;</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/validate-care-quality-via-procedure-documentation/"><strong>Improve Documentation</strong>.</a> </p>



<p>Your&nbsp;<strong>clinical</strong> <strong>documentation is the key</strong>&nbsp;to your reimbursements and the profitability of your practice. The simple answer to how you can make sure you are maximizing reimbursements for your practice is by improving your clinical documentation and detailing every surgical dictation&#8230; the end result can literally take your coding to the next level. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Detailed documentation is imperative. </h2>



<p>You know what procedures you performed but remember,&nbsp;<strong><em>you can only get paid for what your notes say you performed</em>.</strong> Documentation, such as the operative report and op notes are the only way a coder can translate the procedures performed into billable revenue via (CPT codes). Incomplete or vague documentation can lead to a major loss in billable revenue. By making sure you include the 4 following details in every dictation, Coders can determine the correct level codes are claimed so that you are reimbursed adequately. </p>



<div class="wp-block-cover has-background-dim" style="background-image:url(https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3.png)"><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow">
<p style="text-align:center" class="has-large-font-size">4 Key Details to Include in  Every Dictation</p>
</div></div>



<p><strong>Your time matters </strong>&#8211; Make sure to state the amount of time spent with the patient in the plan portion of the dictation. For example, <em>“I’ve spent __ minutes face-to-face with the patient.</em>” Having that time included could bump your visit code to the next level. </p>



<p><strong>Classify treatment plans</strong> &#8211; State clearly if a fracture is seen and being treated either conservatively or surgically.&nbsp;This cuts down on addendum&#8217;s and corrected claims and helps get paid faster. </p>



<p><strong>Detailed Dictations</strong> &#8211;  State chief complaints, ROS, HPI, PFSH, and Physical exam clearly in dictation.&nbsp; One extra detail could mean a higher level! </p>



<p><strong>Erroneous diagnosis dictations cause delayed claims</strong> &#8211; Watch out for dictation mistakes on the diagnosis level.&nbsp; For example, if a patient comes in for right ankle pain and the x-rays are dictated as left ankle x-rays which continues to the plan of care section, the coder will have to put the claim on hold and get an addendum made to clarify which ankle was actually examined.&nbsp; Coding errors could delay the claim timely if not done promptly.&nbsp;                          </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How to improve accurate and timely coding</strong></h3>



<p class="has-medium-font-size">We believe <strong><em><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/specialties/orthopedics-sports-medicine/">Specialty providers deserve specialty coders.</a></em></strong> </p>



<p>At MEREM Healthcare Solutions, that is what we provide to <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/specialties/orthopedics-sports-medicine/">Orthopedics and Sports Medicine practices</a>. Every client deserves the expertise of experienced CPC coders. That is why we employ COSC coders for their specialized knowledge pertaining to complex orthopedic surgical cases. </p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2069" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2.png 560w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2-300x169.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>CPC certification by the AAPC has become the gold standard with additional specialty certification available such as AAPC’s COSC (Certified Orthopedic Surgical Coder). </em></p>
</div></div>



<p></p>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/improving-cash-flow-and-physician-compensation-requires-working-hand-in-hand/">Get reimbursed faster</a></strong> by turning to an experienced team of certified professional coders to improve accurate and timely coding for your practice.  Whether you scribe dictations or utilize an intuitive EMR, MEREM Healthcare Solutions tailors our coding strategy to fit the specific process used for your specialty physician documentation and will also assign and develop our coding staff around <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/specialties/"><strong>your specialty</strong></a>. </p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/services/revenue-improvement/">Charge Optimization</a></h4>



<p>Working to implement the standard of including as much detail as possible is the first steps toward documenting iron-clad operative reports.  Op notes are never written in stone, but the sooner they are finalized with as much information as possible, the sooner it can be coded and paid. </p>



<p>Improved documentation results in revenue improvement. Accurate coding results in faster reimbursement. With detailed documentation, coders don&#8217;t have to rely on addendums and delay processing claims. The turn around is quicker and more effective for the physician to be paid. </p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/services/coding/">coding team at MEREM Healthcare Solutions</a> is trained to help your practice maximize billed charges. By reviewing every encounter note and operative report, our specialty coders will prevent under-coding and over-coding to ensure that every billable procedure performed is correctly reported. Additionally, our <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/services/consulting/">consulting team</a> can help you increase charges by maximizing your clinic output and improving documentation quality.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/next-level-coding-begins-with-improved-documentation/">Next Level Coding Begins with Improved Documentation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<title>Specialty Healthcare Solutions expanding outside of Birmingham, Alabama</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/specialty-healthcare-solutions-expanding-outside-of-birmingham-alabama/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jul 2019 17:48:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Outsourced Medical Bil...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue Cycle Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=2008</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Birmingham, Alabama based specialty healthcare solution company, MEREM Healthcare Solutions, is preparing to expand their outsourced healthcare solutions to specialty practice physicians across the Southeast. MEREM Healthcare Solutions aims to partner with rural healthcare providers across the Southeast such as individual physician practices, specialty physician groups, and healthcare institutions across the state of Alabama, Tennessee,...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/specialty-healthcare-solutions-expanding-outside-of-birmingham-alabama/">Specialty Healthcare Solutions expanding outside of Birmingham, Alabama</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="534" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MEREM_Indoor-Ad_1366x713-1024x534.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1736" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MEREM_Indoor-Ad_1366x713-1024x534.jpg 1024w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MEREM_Indoor-Ad_1366x713-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MEREM_Indoor-Ad_1366x713-768x401.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MEREM_Indoor-Ad_1366x713-640x334.jpg 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MEREM_Indoor-Ad_1366x713.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Birmingham, Alabama based specialty healthcare solution company, MEREM Healthcare Solutions, is preparing to expand their outsourced healthcare solutions to specialty practice physicians <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/service-areas/">across the Southeast</a>. </p>



<p>MEREM Healthcare Solutions aims to partner with rural healthcare providers across the Southeast such as individual physician practices, specialty physician groups, and healthcare institutions across the state of <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/service-areas/alabama/">Alabama</a><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/service-areas/">, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Georgia</a> who are facing economic pressures and in need of revenue improvement, strategic practice planning, credentialing and insurance network management. </p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="200" height="300" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brittney-Tidwell-200x300.jpg" alt="VP of Operations - MEREM Healthcare Solutions" class="wp-image-1557" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brittney-Tidwell-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brittney-Tidwell-427x640.jpg 427w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Brittney-Tidwell.jpg 480w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p><em><strong>“MEREM Healthcare Solutions is more than an outsourced medical billing and coding company,&#8221; says MEREM Health VP of Operations, Brittney Tidwell, &#8220;we deliver unique solutions customized to fit the needs of individual practices that ensure improved practice performance and revenue cycle management.&#8221;   </strong></em></p><cite> <a href="mailto:btidwell@meremhealth.com">BRITTNEY TIDWELL</a><br>Vice President of Operations </cite></blockquote>



<p></p>



<p> Our mission at MEREM Healthcare Solutions is to provide our clients with superior, off-site medical billing management services while maintaining and exceeding the level of accountability, communication, and customer service that is valued in traditional on-site billing departments. </p>



<p>Providing high-quality medical billing solutions to support healthcare teams is something that we have been dedicated to for years.  For practices facing significant denials and claims rejections, a specialized outsourced solution can be just what you need. We encourage physicians and practice owners to consider this…  </p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align:center"><em>Patients seek out specialty care for specialized treatment of their health problems. Consider giving your practice the same quality of specialized care.</em> </h4>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>With MEREM Healthcare Solutions, Outsourcing Doesn’t Mean Offshoring</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Offshoring</strong> means getting work done in a different country. </p>



<p><strong>Outsourcing</strong> refers to contracting work out to an external organization.  We will provide you with a billing <strong><em>team</em></strong>. We structure our billing services around a team, ensuring appropriate checks and balances, a unified strategic vision, and the convenience of a single point of contact readily available to direct your questions – your <em>Merem Concierge. </em>Additionally, your patients will appreciate having their phone calls received directly by one of your U.S. based billing team members. </p>



<p>When there’s a backup in your pipes, you need a plumbing specialist. When there is a backup in your revenue cycle, our customized revenue cycle solutions and healthcare management team of medical billing and coding professionals can help. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.al.com/news/2017/12/financial_woes_put_alabamas_ru.html" target="_blank"></a></p>



<p>Outsourcing medical billing and coding significantly increase a physician’s confidence that the billing is handled accurately and efficiently. Merem Healthcare Solutions eliminates time, frustration, and expense associated with building and maintaining skilled professionals needed to achieve optimal reimbursement in the ever-changing and very challenging insurance industry. Above all, Merem clients know their business interests are in the hands of competent committed professionals. </p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="679" height="386" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Professionals-with-doctor.jpg" alt="Professionals with doctor" class="wp-image-1491" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Professionals-with-doctor.jpg 679w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Professionals-with-doctor-300x171.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Professionals-with-doctor-640x364.jpg 640w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px" /></figure></div>



<p>By choosing MEREM, you can rely on our expert team of certified healthcare revenue professionals who understand payer requirements and know how to get claims paid and help you reach revenue cycle performance above the industry standards. The We utilize a 3-part process that has been proven to put more cash in your pocket:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Cut Costs</strong> by eliminating recruiting and training time, reducing labor costs, and improving accuracy.</li><li><strong>Increase Cash Flow</strong> by resolving your denied claims and advise on ways to prevent them from getting you paid quicker.</li><li><strong>Increase Charges</strong> by relying on our expert team to review each note or dictation in order to ensure you capture the maximum RVUs.</li></ol>



<p>This process is a concept that provides benefit to all parties involved, but most of all to cut the cost of in house staff by providing expertise, advice, and resources designed specifically for specialty practice providers needs &#8212; areas including coding, supply chain or regulatory compliance.</p>



<p> If you are interested in learning more about <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/">MEREM Healthcare Solutions</a> and the customized practice management and revenue improvement options that we can provide, please contact us or give us a call at <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/">(205) 329-7519</a>. Our professional healthcare management team will consult and prepare customized practice solutions to fit the unique needs of your specialty. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/specialty-healthcare-solutions-expanding-outside-of-birmingham-alabama/">Specialty Healthcare Solutions expanding outside of Birmingham, Alabama</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<title>Don&#8217;t underestimate the integral role medical billers and coders play in the healthcare industry</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/dont-underestimate-the-integral-role-medical-billers-and-coders-play-in-the-healthcare-industry/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2019 20:50:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outsourced Medical Bil...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical billing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical coding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical practice]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=1989</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>While it tends to be that the people who are in the frontlines get the most notoriety, it is important to remember there are many people “behind the scenes” who are just as important to your medical practice. Therefore, while we don’t want to take away from the amazing work of physicians, nurses, front desk...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/dont-underestimate-the-integral-role-medical-billers-and-coders-play-in-the-healthcare-industry/">Don&#8217;t underestimate the integral role medical billers and coders play in the healthcare industry</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>While it tends to be that the people who are in the frontlines get the most notoriety, it is important to remember there are many people “behind the scenes” who are just as important to your medical practice. </p>



<p>Therefore, while we don’t want to take away from the amazing work of physicians, nurses, front desk employees, etc., our team at MEREM Healthcare Solutions also wants to make sure medical billers and coders receive the recognition they deserve for the critical role they play within the healthcare industry. </p>



<div class="wp-block-cover has-background-dim" style="background-image:url(https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/grow.jpg);background-position:30% 30%"><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow">
<p style="text-align:center" class="has-medium-font-size"> There isn’t growth without the experience of medical billers and coders on your team. </p>
</div></div>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What Do Medical Billers and Coders Do?</strong></h3>



<p>While your patients might not see them during their visit to your medical practice, medical billers and coders are there every step of the way—from the initial examination to diagnostic tests to the overall treatment of the patient. Medical billers and coders are responsible for translating the entire patient visit into special ICD-10 codes for proper billing.</p>



<p>But, before you start thinking, <em>“How hard can that be?”</em> did you know there are more than 140,000 ICD-codes? And each ICD-10 code has its own purpose. For instance, there isn’t just one code for “pain.” Rather, there is one ICD-10 code for pain in the arm that is unspecified. Then, there is another code for low back pain, and so on and so forth.</p>



<p>Not only is it vital for these specific codes to be known, but it is also vital that they are used correctly, as one wrong code entry could cause <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/2018-3-12-have-you-noticed-your-medicare-reimbursements-have-decreased-or-delayed/">a delay in billing and payment</a>, which can hurt a medical practice’s <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/medical-billing-coding-services/">profitability</a>. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Unsung Heroes</strong> &#8211; Off-Site or Outsourced Medical Billers and Coders </h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/referral-3272324_1280-1024x890.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1990" width="512" height="445" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/referral-3272324_1280-1024x890.png 1024w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/referral-3272324_1280-300x261.png 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/referral-3272324_1280-768x668.png 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/referral-3272324_1280-640x557.png 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/referral-3272324_1280.png 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure></div>



<p>Although some medical practices try to utilize their front office staff to assist with the medical coding and billing of patients, this practice of sharing responsibilities is not as conducive for the profitability of the medical practice as <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/why-should-i-consider-outsourcing-my-medical-billing-coding/">outsourcing the billing and coding</a> to a third party. </p>



<p>For example, a patient walks into your medical practice. Depending on your specialty, your patient might already be high-anxiety. When they walk in, the front desk person isn’t able to welcome them warmly because he or she is on hold with an insurance company. All the patient has done at this point, is walk into your practice, and everything is already off on the wrong foot. </p>



<p>However, if your medical practice outsourced your medical billing and coding, not only can you <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/benefits-of-outsourcing-your-medical-billing-processes/">reduce your chances of errors</a> when it comes to cash flow, you can also allow your front office staff and medical team to focus directly on the patient, which can both improve patient outcomes and patients reviews—which is a win-win! </p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Discover how our team at MEREM Healthcare Solutions in Birmingham, AL, can help your medical practice avoid medical billing and coding errors. </em></strong></h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="512" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Linkedin-Header-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1992" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Linkedin-Header-1024x512.png 1024w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Linkedin-Header-300x150.png 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Linkedin-Header-768x384.png 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Linkedin-Header-640x320.png 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Linkedin-Header.png 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/"><em>Merem Healthcare Solutions</em></a><em> offers services for every step in a practice’s revenue cycle management. We can start from the beginning from credentialing and end with payment posting once an account has been satisfied. In addition to outsourced medical billing and coding, we offer a wide range of solutions which include auditing, consulting, credentialing, payment posting, practice management, and pre-collections training. Check out </em><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/"><em>our website</em></a><em> or feel free to call us at </em> <em>(205) 329-7519</em> <em>to see how we can help run your practice like a well-oiled machine. </em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/dont-underestimate-the-integral-role-medical-billers-and-coders-play-in-the-healthcare-industry/">Don&#8217;t underestimate the integral role medical billers and coders play in the healthcare industry</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<title>How You Can Effectively Handle Claims Adjustments</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/how-to-handle-a-claims-adjustment/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:00:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing and Co...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[claims adjustments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[medical billing and coding]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://encorelumber.azurewebsites.net/2015/06/10/how-to-handle-a-claims-adjustment/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When a physician provides medical services to a patient, the expectation is that they will receive reimbursement for that service. When the payer issues a denial and requires a claim adjustment, the provider doesn’t receive their payment. Many times these denials can be appealed, depending on the reason for the denial. Below, the medical billing...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/how-to-handle-a-claims-adjustment/">How You Can Effectively Handle Claims Adjustments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When a physician provides medical services to a patient, the expectation is that they will receive reimbursement for that service. When the payer issues a denial and requires a claim adjustment, the provider doesn’t receive their payment. Many times these denials can be appealed, depending on the reason for the denial.</p>
<p>Below, the medical billing and coding experts at MEREM Healthcare Solutions have provided five of the most effective responses you should take when handling a claim adjustment.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1985 size-large" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_4443-1024x681.png" alt="" width="1024" height="681" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_4443-1024x681.png 1024w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_4443-300x199.png 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_4443-768x511.png 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_4443-640x426.png 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_4443.png 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<h2 class="p1">5 Effective Responses to Common Claim Adjustments</h2>
<h3><strong>Prove Medical Necessity</strong></h3>
<p>Sometimes claims are denied because they have been deemed medically unnecessary. In this case, you may need to submit additional information to prove that the service <em>was </em>medically necessary.</p>
<p>For example, if a person who has lost a lot of weight has surgery to have their excess sagging skin removed, the claim may be denied as cosmetic surgery which isn’t medically necessary. However, if the physician were to provide evidence that the excess skin was causing chaffing and irritation which led to an infection, it then becomes clear that this was a surgery of medical necessity.</p>
<h3><strong>What if a Service Isn’t Covered?</strong></h3>
<p>If you have a claim denied because the service, such as a weight loss plan, isn’t covered by the payer, don’t adjust the claim. These claims are to be billed to the patient that received the service. If you adjust the claim, then you are providing the service free of charge. The responsible party for a service that isn’t covered is the patient, not the physician.</p>
<h3><strong>No Prior Authorization</strong></h3>
<p>If you have a claim denied due to not receiving prior authorization, the first thing you need to do is check with the office to make sure they didn’t actually receive prior authorization. If they did, simply add the code and re-file the claim on the CMS 1500 form.</p>
<p>If a prior authorization was not obtained, see if the payer accepts retro-authorizations. They may not, but it never hurts try.</p>
<h3><strong>Filing Late</strong></h3>
<p>Timely filing denials are a common occurrence when resubmitting a claim that was previously denied. The way to counteract this problem is to be sure that, when you file a corrected claim, you include the payer’s previous claim number that was issued on the denial so that they will see that the original claim was filed in a timely manner and you won’t be denied.</p>
<h3><strong>Duplicate Claims</strong></h3>
<p>Sometimes when a bilateral procedure is billed on two lines, the payer may incorrectly assume that it is a duplicate. The <a href="/medical-billing-and-coding-services-code-collect/how-icd-10-changes-will-impact-orthopedic-practices">release of ICD-10</a>, cleared up some of this confusion thanks to the new codes that identify which side of the body a procedure was performed.</p>
<p>Until then, you must resubmit your claim with the correct information and let the payer know that the claim was actually for two separate procedures.</p>
<h2><strong><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/tips-for-improving-your-denials-management/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1702 size-full" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Claim-Denials-post-2019.png" alt="" width="810" height="450" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Claim-Denials-post-2019.png 810w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Claim-Denials-post-2019-300x167.png 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Claim-Denials-post-2019-768x427.png 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Claim-Denials-post-2019-640x356.png 640w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /></a></strong></h2>
<h2><strong>Get Your Claims Adjustments Managed By Medical Billing and Coding Experts!</strong></h2>
<p>These examples are just a few of the reasons you could receive a claims adjustment. There are many others including bundling and coding errors.</p>
<p>If you want to take the guesswork out of medical billing, saving your practice or hospital valuable time <em>and </em>money, then turn to MEREM Healthcare Solutions, your team of <strong>medical billing and coding experts!</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/">Contact the professionals at MEREM Healthcare Solutions</a> today to learn more about outsourcing <strong>medical billing and coding services</strong> for your medical practice.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/how-to-handle-a-claims-adjustment/">How You Can Effectively Handle Claims Adjustments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<title>In-House Medical Billing Costs More – Outsource!</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/medical-billing-and-coding-services-in-house-medical-billing-costs-more/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Jun 2019 13:00:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Medical Billing and Co...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outsourced Medical Bil...]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://encorelumber.azurewebsites.net/2015/06/29/medical-billing-and-coding-services-in-house-medical-billing-costs-more/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Medical Billing and Coding Services is an essential part of any medical practice – which makes many practitioners think it is something that should only be performed in-house. Of course, once they figure out how much it costs you to have medical billing in-house, they tend to look toward the possibility of outsourced medical billing. Believe...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/medical-billing-and-coding-services-in-house-medical-billing-costs-more/">In-House Medical Billing Costs More – Outsource!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Medical Billing and Coding Services</strong> is an essential part of any medical practice – which makes many practitioners think it is something that should only be performed in-house. Of course, once they figure out how much it costs you to have medical billing in-house, they tend to look toward the possibility of outsourced medical billing. </p>



<p>Believe it or not, outsourced medical billing can have an outsized impact that <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/">includes costing you less over time</a> than having these capabilities in your practice. Here’s why.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Medical Billing and Coding Services &#8211; Cost of In-House Billing</strong></h2>



<p>A look at in-house medical billing capabilities starts with the most obvious cost: <strong>labor</strong>.</p>



<p>Medical billing professionals that work for you as employees cost money. You have their salary (or wages) to begin with, which represents a formidable cost. <em>According to </em><a href="http://www.indeed.com/salary/Medical-Coder.html"><em>Indeed.com</em></a><em>, a medical office biller costs, on average, $34,000. </em>Throw in benefits, like health insurance, and that cost rises even higher.</p>



<p>Multiply this by the number of people you need to do the job (depending on the size of your practice) and your labor cost can easily reach into the six figures.</p>



<p>There’s also the time spent by your managers supervising your billing specialists. That<strong> time costs money</strong>, too – and per hour, it’s even <em>more </em>expensive. Even if you’re in a small practice, and have one person wearing multiple hats (like billing, answering phones, dealing with patients, etc.) every hour spent billing is an hour that pads your overhead.</p>



<p>That’s just the labor, too. There’s also a very real technological cost that comes with in-house medical billing instead of outsourced medical billing. You’ll have to pay for hardware, equipment, software, technical support, plus peripherals like office supplies, printer ink, etc. The costs add up to quite a bit of money over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bottom Line: <strong>Outsourced Medical Billing <em>Saves</em> You Money</strong></h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="200" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/34078400_m-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1344"/></figure></div>



<p>Once you add up all of the expenses, you can see how the cost of an outsourced provider is more like an investment that also saves money in the long run.</p>



<p>By outsourcing, you gain access to trained, certified specialists who do the same amount of work but at a lower overall cost. Plus, by hiring the right provider, you can avoid the additional expense of having to not only find and hire a qualified, expert billing specialist but also making sure they stay trained and up-to-date on the latest developments.</p>



<p>Outsourcing your billing is a prudent, fiscally responsible thing to do for virtually any practice. If you have any questions, call us for more information – and learn more about how outsourcing is the right call for your budget.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright is-resized"><a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/?fbclid=IwAR2XUVXMjoOJpfxyQtdBHyxHCet3Vzq7Pd9EpKfIA6F2Seye4LJ2oyBhmZc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MEREM_Schedule-A-Free-Consultation.png" alt="" class="wp-image-787" width="450" height="53" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MEREM_Schedule-A-Free-Consultation.png 600w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MEREM_Schedule-A-Free-Consultation-300x35.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" /></a></figure></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ready to Outsource? </strong></h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Turn to <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/">MEREM Healthcare Solutions</a></strong></h4>



<p>What are you waiting for? Start saving money today by outsourcing your medical billing and coding to MEREM Healthcare Solutions. <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Contact us today</a> or fill out the form below to get started.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/medical-billing-and-coding-services-in-house-medical-billing-costs-more/">In-House Medical Billing Costs More – Outsource!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<title>April 2019 Worst Month on Record for Healthcare Data Breach</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/april-2019-worst-month-on-record-for-healthcare-data-breach/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 May 2019 22:49:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Industry News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=1963</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>According to Becker’s Clinical Leadership &#38; Infection Control, April 2019 was the worst month on record for healthcare data breaches. Alone, there were three data breach occurrences which affected the disclosure of more than 439,000 patient charts. Financial Impacts of A Healthcare Data Breach According to www.hipaajournal.com, data breaches in healthcare are the highest of...</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/april-2019-worst-month-on-record-for-healthcare-data-breach/">April 2019 Worst Month on Record for Healthcare Data Breach</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-cover has-background-dim" style="background-image:url(https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/CustomerService.jpg)"><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow">
<p style="text-align:center" class="has-text-color has-large-font-size has-vivid-red-color"><strong>Warning: DATA BREACH</strong></p>
</div></div>



<p>According to Becker’s Clinical Leadership &amp; Infection Control, April 2019 was the worst month on record for <strong><a href="https://www.beckersasc.com/asc-quality-infection-control/april-2019-worst-month-on-record-for-healthcare-data-breaches-pain-management-asc-operator-affected.html">healthcare data breaches</a></strong>. Alone, there were three data breach occurrences which affected the disclosure of more than 439,000 patient charts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Financial Impacts of A Healthcare Data Breach </h3>



<p>According to <a href="http://www.hipaajournal.com">www.hipaajournal.com</a>, data breaches in healthcare are the highest of any industry in the United States. And as of July 2018, on average, a data breach costs the infected organization $408 per record. The average cost per record of data breaches in other industries averages $148 per record.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.varonis.com/blog/cybersecurity-statistics/">varonis.com</a>, an industry-leading reporting and statistics website, there was an 80% increase in the number of patients affected by healthcare-related data breaches since 2017.</p>



<p>The history of data breaches reach back into the 1970’s with the first network virus ever reported as ‘The Creeper’. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/april-2019-worst-month-on-record-for-healthcare-data-breach/">April 2019 Worst Month on Record for Healthcare Data Breach</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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		<title>Credentialing Mistakes That Can Drive Down Your Revenue</title>
		<link>https://www.meremhealth.com/credentialing-mistakes-that-can-drive-down-your-revenue/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Cherry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2019 21:45:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Credentialing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue Cycle Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Credentialing new providers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enrolling new providers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical Credentialing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[provider credentialing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.meremhealth.com/?p=1927</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>MEREM Healthcare Solutions offers some key credentialing advice for physician practice owners. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/credentialing-mistakes-that-can-drive-down-your-revenue/">Credentialing Mistakes That Can Drive Down Your Revenue</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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<p>Credentialing new providers with insurance payors and enrolling providers for the facilities they serve in is a time-consuming and detailed requirement of every medical practice.  Common credentialing errors cause scheduling delays, fluctuation in revenue cycle, and much more.  <strong>Failure to complete enrollment and submit proper (and often timely) credentials for a new provider or physician can lead to a significant revenue loss. </strong> </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="512" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Credentialing-Mistake-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1928" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Credentialing-Mistake.png 1024w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Credentialing-Mistake-300x150.png 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Credentialing-Mistake-768x384.png 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Credentialing-Mistake-640x320.png 640w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Below is a list of
four significant provider credentialing mistakes that can drive down your
practice revenue. </strong></p>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Not Planning Enough
Time for Credentialing</li><li>Incomplete or
Inaccurate Information on Applications and Documentation</li><li>Lack of Follow-Up
throughout the Application Process</li><li>CAQH Lapses</li></ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Timing is Everything in Credentialing</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="940" height="788" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-300x251.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1931" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-300x251.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-768x644.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1-640x537.jpg 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1.jpg 940w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></figure></div>



<p>When bringing on a new provider, time is of the essence. It’s important to take the appropriate amount of time necessary for credentialing, instead of waiting a month before a new physician arrives.    You must </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Allow for time </strong>to process applications and gain approvals with each payor. </li><li><strong>Take time to </strong>review each detail for accuracy and completion prior to submission of application</li><li><strong>Make time</strong> to follow up during the credentialing process </li><li><strong>Be timely</strong> in re-attesting CAQH profiles.</li></ul>



<p>At a minimum, you must allow at least 90 to 120 days to complete applications and allow enough time to acquire payor approvals so that your new provider can get reimbursed. This projected lead time is necessary for beginning the enrollment process to successfully get a new provider enrolled with individual insurances and facilities. </p>



<p>Not allowing enough time to gather the
documentation needed in preparing and processing applications and insurance
approvals prior to a physician seeing patients will result in providers unable
to bill patients for services rendered.</p>



<p>Keep in mind that the responsiveness of approvals for the individual payor is determined by their workload. Some payors, especially government payors such as Medicare and Medicaid, can take 3-6 months to process.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Attention to Detail is Key to Timely Approvals</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="251" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2-300x251.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1932" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2-300x251.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2-768x644.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2-640x537.jpg 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2.jpg 940w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure></div>



<p>Incomplete information and application errors
lead to delays in processing applications and possible denials. <strong>Applications are commonly denied due to inaccuracy errors such
as:</strong> </p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Omitting or making mistakes on data </li><li>Incomplete lock box address</li><li>Incorrect NPI numbers</li><li>Misspelled Names</li></ul>



<p>Credentialing
is directly tied to your profitability. When there are mistakes in the
documentation it could hold up applications or to face a denial. This leads to
the timely application process to have to start over.</p>



<p>Perform credentialing audits on a regular basis. <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/free-consultation-and-revenue-cycle-audit/"><em>When was your last credentialing audit?</em></a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Persistence Pays Off in Credentialing</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="251" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/3-300x251.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1933" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/3-300x251.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/3-768x644.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/3-640x537.jpg 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/3.jpg 940w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure></div>



<p>Lack of Follow-up throughout the application
process can cost your practice 10’s of thousands of
dollars just by overlooking one letter or notice. We find that it is too easy
for a paper to fall through the cracks, so we do not wait around for your
payers to send notice of revalidation/recredentialing, we stay proactive. Be sure to follow up at regular intervals, keep notes and
follow up to confirm each application was received. </p>



<p>For example, even
though you may have received a fax sent confirmation, one document could have
been mis-scanned or lost. Some faxes are not received… so you must always follow
through and follow up to confirm the application was received. </p>



<p>Also, keep in mind that most payors will not expedite applications. Most plans will not contact you with updates or reasons for delays. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Update Changes in CAQH Profiles </h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="251" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4-300x251.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1934" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4-300x251.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4-768x644.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4-640x537.jpg 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/4.jpg 940w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure></div>



<p>Every Insurance accesses this <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/medical-credentialing-services-for-your-practice/">CAQH</a> information for credentialing. Profiles need to be re-attested every 120 days. In order to avoid loss in revenue, avoid lapses in CAQH by re-attesting on time and make sure all of the information is accurate and up-to-date. (Including your credentialing contact as well as the individual provider.) Be sure to use contact information that is monitored regularly.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Let MEREM Health Handle Your Credentialing </strong></h4>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="251" src="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/5-300x251.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1935" srcset="https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/5-300x251.jpg 300w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/5-768x644.jpg 768w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/5-640x537.jpg 640w, https://www.meremhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/5.jpg 940w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></figure></div>



<p>The
day-to-day operation of running a busy medical practice comes with many
different challenges. Medical Credentialing is a
complex process that can be difficult to manage. Credentialing is one
foundational area of the revenue cycle process where mistakes can cost your
practice tens of thousands of dollars.</p>



<p>MEREM
Healthcare Solutions&nbsp;provides exceptional billing, coding, and <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/services/medical-credentialing/">medical credentialing services</a> to specialty physicians, hospitals and
outpatient centers.&nbsp;Take advantage of our credentialing expertise today! When you trust MEREM Healthcare Solutions, you get the
peace-of-mind that your credentialing status is being managed and maintained by
our experienced credentialing reps.</p>



<p>While
we cannot add more time in the day, we can at least take one of the most
time-consuming responsibilities off of your long-running list of day-to-day to
dos and we will make sure your practice remains profitable as new physicians
come onboard.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/contact-us/">Contact MEREM Health today</a> by calling (205) 329-7519 to <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/free-consultation-and-revenue-cycle-audit/">submit a request for a consultation</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com/credentialing-mistakes-that-can-drive-down-your-revenue/">Credentialing Mistakes That Can Drive Down Your Revenue</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.meremhealth.com">MEREM Health</a>.</p>
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