There are many ways to cut administrative costs in the healthcare business to avoid unnecessary expenses that can quickly escalate with increasing costs in the medical field. During these difficult economic times, financial reliability becomes an even greater concern. Here are some of the methods in which a business can be more expedient while tightening their budgets at the same time:

1. Automated systems
ACOM automated systems is one way of bringing about a new sense of fiscal responsibility for your company. When mistakes are made regarding payroll or billing, a company will lose money. Automated systems help reduce this risk by ensuring the proper input is recorded at the time of service. Related software can include spreadsheets that are very efficient when it comes time to send information to a service provider. Additionally, there is less room for error in an automated system and the need for external documentation is also reduced.

2. Save time
Employee productivity is crucial to the success of any business. Efficient employees save time and money that can be allotted to other important functions. Internet-based software systems offered by ACOM can free up workers to concentrate on improved patient response and quality care. To further increase productivity, a company may also choose to hire temporary workers for specific times when business is exceedingly high. This makes more sense than hiring full time workers that sit inactive during slow periods of business.

3. Save money
Your business can save money by purchasing only what is vital to the office overall function and comfort. Turning off electrical units when not in use, such as computers or chargers overnight, will help a company cut costs. Utilities can be cut back by using and properly adjusting a programmable thermostat for when the office is empty. A company may also choose to buy used equipment to help bring about further savings. Implementing automated computer-based payment and documentation software will result in definite cost savings in the long run.

4. Save paper
Saving paper is one means of keeping the costs of a business down as much as possible. With automated billing and documenting, you also reduce the cost of ink, which is an extreme expense in itself. Costs related to storage space or filing is also decreased. The use of email as opposed to the postal service should always be encouraged.  Companies can further reduce their costs by only printing information deemed necessary and also using the backside of printed paper for information whenever possible.

5. Increase efficiency
Organizations can improve efficiency by closely analyzing any unnecessary spending that is taking place. If a specific process is negatively affecting the budget, it should be adequately investigated and refined.  Automated web-based systems will enhance any business office while freeing up overhead to be used in other vital areas.

6. Electronic records
Electronic records will help your business save money by cutting the need for paper trails for audits or for tax purposes. In addition, there are plenty of free online forms that may be printed out for office use, rather than purchased. This accessibility to reliable, consistent data will greatly reduce stress at the end of the year when audits occur and taxes are due. Professional software through ACOM Health can make documentation a smooth process.

7. Maximum organization
Organize priorities and adhere to them for optimum overall functioning.  Automated systems will enhance any professional ability to perform tasks with the greatest cost efficiency.  Not only will patient concerns be addressed sooner, but employee questions will be reduced with access to the automated systems. Staff will find it easier to follow the software guidelines, allowing them to perform their job better.

8. Improved billing
Business accounts should be carefully analyzed in order to keep your costs down and financial affairs running smoothly. How employees deal with billing procedures should be carefully scrutinized for any ineffective methods which occur between two departments.  ACOM Health’s software offers professional solutions to resolve such discrepancies and optimize cash flow for operational success.

9. Improved collections
A business can improve collections to not only save money, but help foster a system that is fair and efficient to prevent possible liability cases. Companies may choose to collect past due fees with an amnesty program, which will encourage customer participation. Look for any instances in which information is improperly recorded, as this wastes both time and money, slowing down the collection process at the same time. Again, the best software systems will serve to augment this process.

10. Improved management
Management is an essential building block of any organization, and implementing cost-efficient practices benefit executives in the long run. Effective management should consider automated web-based systems that will assist in improving overall business functions. Expertise can be better spent managing staff and patient goals and will keep a healthcare business operating in top professional form well into the future.

10 Ways Chiropractors Can Cut Costs is a post from: ACOM Health Blog

For most chiropractors the “words” 739.1, 739.2, 739.3, 739.4, and 739.5 are regular vocabulary, however, in two years they will vanish!  Why?  Because they are ICD-9 codes, and ICD-9 is scheduled for execution on October 1st, 2013.  ICD-10, incidentally, is also scheduled for execution on October 1st, 2013, bringing a whole new diagnosis vocabulary.  Our beloved 739.x Nonallopathic lesions will become M99.01, M99.02, M99.03, M99.04, and M99.05 under ICD-10.  These new M99.0x codes are titled “Segmental and somatic dysfunction,” a bit more descriptive than “nonallopathic lesion” I’d say.

ICD-10 “Subluxation” Codes is a post from: ACOM Health Blog

Congress just passed the Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010 (S.3987).  The Act, which exempts physicians from needing to comply with the FTC Red Flags Rule, now goes to President Obama for final approval.  This means you don’t have to create a Theft Prevention Program within your office prior to the January 1st effective date, or anytime in the foreseeable future.  By the way, the President is expected to sign the Act.  And if he doesn’t, I’ll let you know.

“Red Flags Rule” – Not For Chiropractors! is a post from: ACOM Health Blog

Yeah! Congress passed the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010, reversing the 25% physician fee reduction that was scheduled for January 1st.  This means chiropractors can expect to be reimbursed by Medicare through all of 2011 at current rates.  Billing personnel rejoice!

Medicare Fees Unchanged For 2011 is a post from: ACOM Health Blog

Please be mindful of specific carrier policies when billing for foot orthotics.  Recently, the BCBS of Illinois policy (also applies to New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Federal) on billing L3020 and L3030 came to my attention, which includes very specific guidelines for these two orthotic codes used extensively by chiropractors.  The policy boiled down to this:  Foot orthotics are only medically necessary (reimbursable) when they are used directly to the area of complaint and linked to a relatively short list of approved diagnoses, none of which related to the pelvis or spine.  In short, always verify carrier policies regarding orthotics (if they exist), especially when you are using them as “pelvic stabilizers” and not for podiatric problems.

Orthotic Coding For Chiropractors – BCBS Policy is a post from: ACOM Health Blog

The Senate on Thursday passed an extremely temporary patch for the impending December 1st Medicare physician fee cuts.  The bill, Congress Physician Payment and Therapy Relief Act of 2010, is now off to the House for approval.  The two sponsors of the bill, Senators Baucus (D-MT) and Grassley (R-IA), hope the extra month will give congress enough time to pass a year long “fix.”  Time will tell; apparently a lot of it, since this exercise has been going on since 2003!

Band-Aid Given By Senate For Open Fracture!? is a post from: ACOM Health Blog

The “I didn’t know” or “nobody told me” defense is not a legitimate argument when faced with coding/billing fraud and abuse allegations.  Even though it never has been a good defense, there is now legal precedence making it clear you are responsible to know, and applying, correct billing rules for documented services.  Earlier this year a dermatologist in Michigan lost a fraud case (United States v. Stokes, 2010 WL 3245536, 6^th Circuit) primarily because he was made “aware” of proper coding through notices and other readily available information, but chose not to apply the information.  I place the word aware in parentheses for a reason; in the ruling, Stokes was said to be aware that he was inappropriately billing even if he never personally laid eyes on carrier notices, which means he indented to defraud – a key ingredient in any fraud allegation.

Bottom line is this:  Know coding and billing rules beyond a shadow of a doubt for the services you perform.  If you don’t, then search carrier publications and websites for answers (yes, you are accountable for what is on a carrier’s website even if they don’t mail it to you), start with www.cms.gov.  If you don’t have the time or desire to do the digging yourself, hire a coding consultant.  But for goodness sake, don’t think closing your eyes, plugging your ears, and saying blah blah blah will keep you out of trouble.

Coding And Billing Rule Knowledge Cannot Be Avoided is a post from: ACOM Health Blog