Medical Billing Software

Guide to Medical Billing Software

Physician billing software streamlines insurance and patient billing, plus much more
By Judy Artunian

	Medical Billing And Coding Software Benefits With medical coding software, you’ll receive quicker insurance reimbursements. Spend less time on billing by using medical billing software. Medical coding software confirms that your medical coding is accurate.

Medical billing software (also known as physician billing software and health care billing software) gives you the tools to efficiently manage the financial side of your medical practice. Medical billing services software eases the process of generating insurance claims and sending them to carriers and Medicare via the Internet. It also lets you generate reports that help you stay on top of your revenues and expenses. Most practice management software includes billing capabilities. Web-based health care billing software is growing in appeal because it gives you the flexibility to access your records from any device that is equipped with an Internet connection  Some points to consider when evaluating medical billing software: 

1. Look for health care billing software that incorporates Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandated security measures.
2. Talk to staff members at other medical practices that use the physician billing software you're considering. Ask the software company to refer you to several customers.
3. If you would have to invest in new equipment in order to use a new physician billing software package, take a second look at the billing features to confirm that they would be worth the additional cost.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose medical billing software that interfaces with other office functions When health care billing software is integrated into a medical practice management program, you enjoy conveniences like viewing a patient's account information when you schedule the patient's appointment, without having to switch programs or screens.

I recommend:  Practice Partner Medical Billing software provides features such as electronic claims processing, and is integrated with Practice Partner's Appointment Scheduler and Patient Records. If you use outside medical billing services, software like the LeonardoMD Renaissance Professional Edition may work for you. It includes features that let you integrate some billing functions with your billing services provider.

Health care billing software can show you the money Look for physician billing software that helps you stay on top of your accounts receivable.

I recommend:  Experior Healthcare Systems's ExpertPM's Account Management Suite, includes an e-Business Manager module that eliminates the need to hire a collection agency. This physician billing software module gives you the tools to manage your collection accounts in-house. If you want specifics about insurance reimbursements, check out edgeMED Innovation Practice Management software's Insurance Reimbursement Analysis  feature. It helps you tally the amount reimbursed to your practice for a specific doctor, by a specific insurance company per selected procedure code.

Medical billing software double checks your insurance codes Insurers pay you faster when your claim forms are accurate. Physician billing software that includes a 'claim scrubber' will catch incorrect codes on your insurance claim forms before you submit them to insurers.

I recommend:  AdvancedMD's Claim Inspector is a health care billing software that includes 400,000 edits for claim code mistakes. AllegianceMD includes technology that scrubs and instantly corrects your electronic claims.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Medical billing software technology is continually advancing. Before you invest in a program, find out if you will be charged software upgrade fees.
• Ask for a 30-day trial period so that you can try out the features of health care billing software.
• If you use a medical billing service, software you choose needs to interface with the service provider's software.