April 2024 Blog: We all know it is hard to keep up with the frequent changes to billing regulations and coding. Not to mention practice software updates and, at times, in-house staff turnover. But throw in the recent widespread clearinghouse migrations and it can be nearly overwhelming! So, let’s restart and refresh. This month, we are going back to the basics of a dental claim form submission.

March 2024 Blog: In light of the extraordinary impact on healthcare providers as a result of the Change Healthcare/Optum cyberattack, our blog this month will focus on centralizing helpful resources regarding claim submissions during this unprecedented circumstance. We know firsthand that even a minor disruption in timely claim processing can adversely affect a practice’s cashflow and sustainability. So, as the situation continues to evolve, we will regularly update this blog with resources as a way to help during this challenging time.

February 2024 Blog: Our billing blogs often talk about the foundational workflows that set billing management up for success –insurance verification is no exception! Understanding a patient’s insurance coverage and benefits sets the stage for accurate treatment estimates and claim submissions. We assure you that prioritizing your insurance verification process will be time well spent. So, what is a good insurance verification?

January 2024 Blog: Over the last few years, provisions focusing on protections and restrictions related to surprise medical bills for patients have been introduced. What do dental and oral surgery providers need to about these new rules? When does it apply to their patients? How do providers need to address and adapt to these evolving changes?

December Blog: 2024 Brings New Codes & More! Looking ahead, this January will bring a new set of CDT, CPT, ICD codes and a new 2024 ADA claim form. Incorporating all of these changes has a broad impact on your practice.

November Blog: Following up on outstanding open claims can be a daunting task – navigating dozens of online payer portals and waiting endlessly on hold for a representative. Add that to your existing list of daily responsibilities and insurance follow-up can easily make even a seasoned biller feel overwhelmed. But, fear not. We have 3 steps to make it manageable.

October Blog: An accurate and complete claim submission is always the goal. But sometimes you need to make a correction or retraction to a claim that you have already submitted to a payer. We’re in luck as there is a process to handle both circumstances!

September Blog: Aging of Accounts Receivable. Timing is crucial to a healthy cashflow. The older an invoice or insurance claim becomes, the harder is it to recover. Do you have a “healthy” A/R?

August Blog: Coordination of Benefits for Oral Surgery - Determining medical / dental COB through insurance verification

July Blog: At DBCP, our motto is “make it easier for the next person” and it’s our way of acknowledging that you can do things fast, quick, and rushed OR you can take the time to setup consistent processes that make the flow of work uniform, steady, and ultimately easier for the person doing the next task – and what a bonus when that’s also you. Enjoy 3 billing workflow tips!

June Blog: This month we break down the 5 Stages of Claim Processing: (1) Claim Submission, (2) Clearinghouse - electronic only, (3) Processing, (4) Explanation of Benefits - EOB, (5) Claim Completion.

May Blog: We all know that money in the bank is the #1 performance indicator! But that number shouldn’t be a guessing game or a surprise each month. What indicators are you using to measure practice performance? What database reports do you use regularly? How often do you review reports? Do you find that canned database reports are useful or would you benefit from custom reports? How are you setting performance benchmarks for the practice and for your staff and associates?

April Blog: From the moment a patient is entered into your practice management software their digital footprint begins. Their registration details, health history, and insurance information lay the foundation that all future information is built upon. Maximizing your billing starts here. Who enters data? Who checks data entry? What resources and training are available?

March Blog: So, you’re sending your claims electronically. Excellent! But are they going to the insurance company you intended? Just like a physical address, all insurance carriers have their own unique payer ID for electronic claim submissions. This payer ID is often listed right on the member’s insurance card to make it easier. But here’s the catch: payer ID’s differ depending on the clearinghouse you are using for submission. And, spoiler alert, electronic claim attachments often have their own ID as well.

February Blog: February, much like October, is typically a slower month for dental and oral surgery practices. This makes it the perfect time to focus on key business functions that often take a backseat to daily operations. We recommend two priorities this month: review your fee schedules and renegotiate your contractual agreements. (P.S. It’s also a great month to encourage staff vacation time!)

January Blog: Gone are the days of printing a claim form, sending it by mail, and waiting for a payment or denial. We are now in a world of web portals, clearinghouses, electronic data interchange (EDI), and third-party vendors that often facilitate it all. These technological advances can dramatically increase the efficiency of your claim submissions, but beware, it can also increase your claim rejections.

December Blog: New Year: New Code - January brings both a new year and a new set of CDT, CPT, and ICD codes. Incorporating these changes has a broad impact on your practice.