Avoiding medical coding and billing errors is a critical concern for any medical practice. Errors can cause incorrect reimbursements, claim denials, and declining practice revenue.
Therefore, it is imperative for any practice, whether you need neurology medical billing and coding services or physical therapy billing, to follow best practices that promote accuracy to ensure billing processes are compliant, successful, and free of mistakes.
By taking proactive steps towards the reduction of billing and coding errors, you’re also taking steps to revenue cycle management, therefore, practices can build trust with their patients while maximizing the efficiency of their financial systems
Let’s explore some of the main causes of medical coding and billing errors, as well as how to prevent them.
Common Coding Errors
The most common type of medical coding error is when a provider codes for a procedure that wasn’t actually performed. This type of error can occur when a provider doesn’t accurately document the services performed or if they use outdated codes when submitting claims.
It’s important for providers to keep up with new developments in their field, such as changes in terminology or treatments, so they don’t accidentally code for something that wasn’t done. Providers should also double-check all documentation before submitting claims.
Another common coding error is misidentifying the patient’s diagnosis code. This can happen if there is an incorrect entry on the patient’s chart or if a provider mistakenly uses an outdated version of ICD-10 codes, which are constantly changing.
To avoid this type of mistake, providers should ensure they are using the most current version of ICD-10 codes at all times. They should also review any existing documentation prior to submitting a claim and double-check any insurance paperwork for accuracy.
Common Billing Errors
Billing errors often arise from incorrect information being entered into the system during the billing process. This could include entering incorrect patient information, such as an incorrect date of birth or address, entering old or inaccurate insurance information, or forgetting to enter certain services on a claim form.
To avoid these types of errors, providers should always double-check all forms before submitting them and ensure that any required information has been properly filled out and submitted with each claim form.
Additionally, providers should always check insurance records before submitting a claim form to make sure they have accurate information, like policy numbers and contact details on file, so they don’t encounter any delays during processing due to missing information.
Conclusion
Medical coding and billing errors can be costly—not just financially but also in terms of time spent dealing with denied claims or delayed payments.
By taking steps like staying up-to-date on new terminology/treatments related to your field, double-checking patient records/insurance paperwork for accuracy, and ensuring all required information has been correctly filled out prior to submission, you can help minimize potential errors within your practice’s medical coding and billing processes — saving you time and money in the long run!
If you still find yourself struggling with coding or billing issues, consider hiring an expert medical coder who’ll be able to offer valuable advice while helping ensure accuracy within your practice’s records overall.
