Billing and Collections

Some health systems are trying to help patients avoid high-cost bills altogether, by working with insurers to craft value-based plans that offer low out-of-pocket costs.

To remain competitive, physician practices must not only provide the best clinical care to their patients, but also optimize the way they manage revenue, making sure they preserve cash flow, limit bad debt and receive full reimbursement for services rendered.

As more health systems merge, consolidate and diversify, many organizations are looking to combine disparate hospital and physician billing offices into one single billing office. But consider a few key steps before embarking on an SBO migration.

Result of King vs. Burwell will not end the health law, says Anil Joseph, managing director for the Investment Research Group at GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services.

Agency head says 81 percent of 15,000 test claims sent in past week were accepted, with most failures tied to errors not related to the coding.

Within a year, HCCI expects to let members of UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Assurant and Humana track spending on a companion site and check how switching caregivers could lower their out-of-pocket costs.

Salinas, California topped spending for all three procedures: $60,375 for a coronary stent placement; $57,990 for a total hip replacement; and $25,924 for a laparoscopic appendectomy.

Transactions up by 20 percent provides an opportunity for collections companies.

Slow response to "balance billing" problem stinging for consumers blindsided by out-of-network charges.

The reason costs add up for these procedures could have more to do with doctors than patients, JAMA report finds.