Podiatry practice is a field that needs accuracy each time. They handle the treatments associated with the foot, ankle, and lower leg as well as other medical issues like sports medicine, diabetic care, wound care, and other relevant surgeries. It shows that they handle a large number of issues that keep them busy all the time. That’s why they need efficient billing services to continue revenue flow and reduce all administrative tasks.
But when podiatry practices think about billing they have two options: either they manage billing in-house or outsource it to an experienced and professional company. This decision is very important for them because the financial health of their practice depends on the efficiency of billing. So which option do podiatry practices need to avail? To make the best decision let’s discuss the important factors of both Outsourcing vs. In-House Billing and choose what’s the best for podiatry practice management.
Complexities that Podiatry Practice Face
Due to the number of services provided by podiatry practice an additional complexity that adds to their services is medical billing and coding. There are some specific treatments relevant to foot conditions and all are restricted. To handle these restrictions they need the best medical billers and coders. Podiatrists face the complexities of understanding what services are to be covered under which insurance plans which is the right code for such services and the last to submit the clean documentation. It is very difficult for them to manage it all accurately to maximize their reimbursement. That’s why they need a partner to handle all these complexities so that they can focus on their patients and give more time to them.
In-house Billing
Some podiatry practices want to handle all the billing-related tasks like generating and submitting bills, collection of receivables, and claim submission on their own. This is called in-house billing as the name shows they handle all the relevant billing complexities on their own within their organization. They have affordable and skilled staff members who can manage all these tasks easily and have the ability to generate the maximum revenue.
Advantages of In-House Billing
- When podiatrists handle all the billing services internally they have full control over the processes. This control helps them if they need immediate adjustments or need any real-time monitoring of their financial transactions. Podiatrists can also directly monitor the performance of their billing staff which also makes sure they follow the practice’s standards and protocols.
- Your in-house team is familiar with the specific needs and complications of your practice as they are working with you all the time. This familiarity provides more personalized and accurate billing which reduces errors as well as improves patient satisfaction rate.
- When you have an in-house billing team you don’t need to worry about any communication gap. Whenever you face any billing issue it will be quickly resolved. This direct line of communication can increase your workflow and minimize delays in the billing process.
Disadvantages of In-House Billing
- Having an in-house billing staff can be costly because it includes all salaries, training, and investments in billing software and infrastructure which require higher expenses. These expenses can be high, especially for small-level companies.
- In-house billing needs important administrative work and resources. This can draw attention away from patient care and other important parts of your practice. To keep yourself updated with regulatory changes it is essential to keep your staff trained. This training requires additional demand on resources.
- Employee turnover can affect the billing process and cause delays and significant revenue loss. Recruiting and training new employees can be time-consuming and expensive and also disturb the reliability of your billing operations.
Outsourced Billing
The podiatrist also has the option to outsource their medical billing services to a billing services provider. It means you take the help of third-party companies to handle all the administrative tasks related to medical billing and payment. These companies have experts who manage all the billing responsibilities professionally and help to improve the overall revenue of your practice. They help you to reduce the overall start-up costs and ensure the proper submission of claims without worrying about staff.
Advantages of Outsourced Billing
- Outsourcing billing can minimize the overhead expenses involved with hiring, training, and keeping an in-house workforce as you see in in-house billing. Professional billing services provide scalable options and help you to pay for only what you need.
- Outsourced billing companies specialize in medical billing and coding. They keep up with the latest industry rules and compliance standards and ensure that your practice meets all billing responsibilities. This year of experience and knowledge helps to reduce the mistakes and claim denials.
- When you outsource your billing operations it means you outsource your responsibilities to others and you do not need to worry about anything. This source of relaxation allows your companies to redirect resources and attention toward patient care and other essential activities. This can also help to increase overall efficiency and improve patient satisfaction.
- Professional billing services frequently have greater success rates for claim submissions and follow-ups. Their experience results in faster reimbursements and increased cash flow for your clinic and enhances the overall revenue of your organization.
Disadvantages of Outsourced Billing
- When you outsource your billing it requires giving up some control over the process. This step is difficult for most organizations that manage their billing processes manually. And if you depend on any external source then it can affect your service quality and responsiveness.
- In-house billing gives us the advantage of direct communication but working with an external billing agency can often result in communication breakdowns. Due to this communication gap, your practice faces delays in resolving all billing difficulties or misconceptions. This delay reduces the overall efficiency of your billing processes.
- Different countries have different times so when you switch to an outsourced billing provider, you may face time adjustment issues. During this period, there may be disruptions as the new service learns the complexities of your practice’s billing procedures.
In-House vs. Outsourced Billing
Now that you see all the advantages and disadvantages of in-house billing vs. Outsourced Billing. But when it comes to making this decision you compare both services on the basis of different factors. Let’s see in detail about these factors:
Cost Considerations
The main thing that always remains the first priority is the cost. Because everyone wants to maximize their revenue. When you take the option of in-house billing then you need the large amount for initial setup and ongoing maintenance of your ped. Also includes salaries, benefits, training, and technology investments. These increasing expenses can be difficult to manage and also affect the flexibility of small practices.
And when we talk about outsourcing billing services then it is a more effective option for all podiatry practices. Because they provide flexible pricing models depending on the volume of claims processed. This scalability also helps practices to manage their cost effectively especially when the patient volume fluctuates.
Expertise and Compliance
Now after cost, if we talk about the expertise and compliance then in-house billing needs continuous training and education to maintain this compliance. This can be costly in terms of more resource utilization and still, you are not sure about the up-to-date information. Research shows that 10% of billing claims are incorrect which in turn reduces the revenue by 11%. If you outsource your billing services then it provides you access to experts who are experts in the latest industry standards and regulations. Their job is to make sure that your practice follows legal insurance protocols and reduces the risk of compliance issues and rejected claims.
Operational Efficiency
Podiatrists are running a practice in which they have no time to manage the entire billing cycle efficiently. If they manage in-house billing and manage the staff turnover, limited resources, and fulfill the need for ongoing training, it can impact their productivity and divert their attention from patient care which reduces the efficiency of their operational tasks. So outsourcing is the best option for them which simplifies their processes. An entire team of experts works on their billing which leads to more efficient claim processing, reduced errors, and quicker reimbursements.
Making the Decision: Key Factors to Consider
Now that you have seen all the factors of both in-house billing and outsourced billing services it’s time to take the decision. I’ll suggest that if you have a smaller practice and lower patient volume then outsourcing is a more cost-effective option for your practice. But if you have a larger practice and a larger volume of patients then you can take the control and personalized service of an in-house team.
Then if you need the expertise and want more accuracy in your billing processes according to your patient volume then you can take the option of outsourcing instead of hiring an in-house billing team and then give them continuous training. Then see how much control you need over the billing process. If you need close oversight and immediate adjustments then in-house billing is a preferred choice but if you feel comfortable with delegating billing responsibilities then you can take the option of outsourcing.
At the end whatever option you choose for your podiatry practice remember that efficient and accurate billing can enhance the patient experience by minimizing billing mistakes and delays. Patient-centric billing procedures should be given top priority in both internal and external solutions. It will be your main focus.