Healthcare is costly in this nation. The overwhelming dependence on paper items costs the Healthcare industry billions every year. Some estimates put that waste as high as $300 billion a year. So, what can be done to eliminate paper from healthcare?
Going paperless is a challenge for providers/practices of all sizes and types, requiring them to invest in new technology, change workflows, retrain workers – and the list goes on. This is especially true for RCM services companies who are required to manage tens or hundreds of clients with complex necessities.
Change can be very difficult, yes and it should be that much difficult. In particular, the processes for healthcare payments are improved with opportunities to go completely paperless.
Following can help to convert practices in paperless system.
MOVE TO A 24/7 WORLD
Web based EHR/PMS are covering the market to offer 24/7 access. Make sure you have an efficient online portal where patients can manage all of their medical payments and select to receive e-Statements. Then draw some best practices for communicating the link for online payments at every patient interaction including office signage, statement messaging and email communications.
These are some sample messages to put for patient portal link;
- Stop paper mails when sign up for e-statements
- Go online to pay your bills and see account balance
NO ENVELOPES
After a long go, it’s time to break up with envelopes.
If your practice goal is to move paper statements and check payments to e-Statements and electronic remittance advices, then disregard processes that encourage the continued use of mail. Remove remittance envelopes from all patient statements and make sure patients see guidelines on how they can subscribe for eStatements and process payments online.
PAPER CLAIMS
Paper claims are biggest cause of denials with a reason “no claim on file”. Once wrong insurance address is printed and mailed,2
More than 90% of insurances offer electronic submission directly or through clearinghouse. So it’s really important to get setup EDI submission to avoid paper less claim submissions.
PAYER PAYMENTS, CHECKS AND EOB’S
According to recent Trends in Healthcare, only 15 to 20 percent of providers said that they prefer payments in the form of checks in mail and two percent preferred virtual card payments from payers. To get rid of paper checks and EOB, one can setup ERA and EFT, this is a permanent solution. Even if you only receive very less payments a year from the insurances, paper checks and EOBs can still contribute to your paper problems.
MAKING IT A SUCCESS STORY
Doing all above, a practice would not have only success for eliminating the paper problems but they will also be saving a lot of time and money. Ease of process will make them focus on practice operations, customer care and other areas of improvements.
Set all above as goals and go with the steps one by one. Call that person/billing company agent your “office hero” who perform this challenging task.
We at “Adnare” always help our clients and get setup their all paper processes to electronic in 2-4 months’ time. Any question, Please call us at 949-346-4414 and speak to one of our representative or email us @ info@adnare.com and we will be more than happy to assist you.