{"id":6256,"date":"2018-07-26T11:42:30","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T15:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/systems4pt.com\/staging\/?p=6256"},"modified":"2018-10-30T09:59:23","modified_gmt":"2018-10-30T13:59:23","slug":"how-to-correct-undeserved-collection-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/systems4pt.com\/staging\/how-to-correct-undeserved-collection-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO CORRECT UNDESERVED COLLECTION PROBLEMS"},"content":{"rendered":"

HOW TO CORRECT UNDESERVED<\/em> COLLECTION PROBLEMS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Systems 4PT recently announced that collections per claim were even, comparing the 12-month period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, with the same period one year earlier (July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017). In addition, most practices experienced an increase in collections per claim January-June 2018 vs. the same period in 2017. This analysis was based on practices with at least\u00a024 months experience\u00a0using Systems 4PT’s EMR\/RCM. \u00a0Chris Adams, Director of Communications, noted, \u201cOur FOCUS practices have not seen a decline in average collections per claim since 2013 levels, when we began measuring this stat.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Systems 4PT\u2019s perspective, the state of outpatient rehab in 2018 is strong. \u00a0But if that\u2019s the case, why are other EMR\/billing solutions warning of declining reimbursements and asking if rehab is on the brink of recession?\u00a0 The answer is simple: Some approaches work better than others. The good news: The approach you take –one that delivers strong collections, or a different approach that results in declining collections — is entirely your decision.<\/p>\n

ANALYZING THE DETAILS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For many, the performance cited above seems counterintuitive, if not impossible. We\u2019ve all seen examples of declining contracted payer rates. And we all know that the percentage of payer reimbursements have declined while patient obligations have increased.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt that certain payers\u2019 contracted fee schedules have declined over the years. But concurrent with this, Systems 4PT has developed proprietary collection technologies that have increased reimbursements by 1.4% here, 0.6% there. Year by year, our technologies have offset the declines in contracted rates for our practices. \u00a0No single improvement has \u201cfixed the collections problem.\u201d The combination of dozens and dozens of proprietary, incremental increases have kept our practices\u2019 collections strong and stable. It\u2019s obvious that no other EMR is as focused on this philosophy of \u201cconstant Improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is also no debate that patient obligations such as coinsurance and deductibles are higher today than ever before. Practices must get better and better at collecting these balances on intake. And unlike shifting payer rules, collecting patient obligations is completely under your control, assuming your EMR allows this to happen.<\/p>\n

OUTPATIENT REHAB, AN INDUSTRY OF FINANCIAL WINNERS AND LOSERS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You can find financial winners and losers in every industry. Financial success or failure is often the result of the different approaches and tools people choose to use.<\/p>\n

Example: Did you know that the largest EMR in outpatient rehab does not communicate patient coinsurance or deductible balances due to front desk staff during patient intake?\u00a0 While claiming that, \u201cbilling is integrated,\u201d the EMR and billing modules are in completely separate databases. Calling their billing \u201cintegrated\u201d is a very expensive half-truth.<\/p>\n

DEFINE WHERE YOU STAND WITH THIS 20-SECOND TEST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take 20 seconds and ask your front desk staff to show you<\/u> the coinsurance or deductible due for the next patient who is about to check in. Don\u2019t ask to see copay, ask to see coinsurance or deductible<\/u> due.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve discovered a fundamental problem: Patient obligations represent an increasing percentage of collections, but you\u2019re working with an EMR that does not communicate patient obligations on intake.<\/p>\n

This is why we say, \u201cYour collection problems are self-imposed.\u201d You should not live with this.<\/p>\n

Your EMR has not kept pace with payer changes over the years. The most striking examples of this are primitive EMRs that seem to lack the competence to innovate their own billing modules and instead acquire a bolt-on billing system. In an attempt to solve their problems, one such EMR has acquired two different billing systems!<\/p>\n

With perspective, you now see that unsophisticated EMR is punitively expensive: As patient obligations skyrocket, your front desk staff can\u2019t collect coinsurance and deductibles on intake because your EMR doesn\u2019t communicate how much the patient owes.<\/p>\n

IT\u2019S NOT SURPRISING THAT YOUR COLLECTIONS ARE DECLINING<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The big surprise is that your EMR is the culprit.<\/p>\n

THE WRONG SOLUTION<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Perspective can be hard to find, as your EMR surrounds you with slick communication that makes it easy to blame declining payments on a sagging industry.<\/p>\n

We urge you to hone your perspective, be leery of marketing messages that \u201crationalize\u201d declining reimbursements. Recognize that these messages are designed to make underpaid therapists feel \u201cnormal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Take a fresh look at what\u2019s going on: The typical outpatient rehab practice is flat-out busy. \u201cWe would hire another therapist if we could find one.\u201d Against this backdrop, underperforming EMRs now claim to have the answer, \u201cOur new program will increase patient volume, which will increase cash, which will solve your problems!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

This is the wrong solution. Your EMR assumes you\u2019re too busy to ask the obvious questions:<\/p>\n