What practices should look for when contracting
with a billing company
Are you considering a transition from an in-house billing department to a billing service, or
thinking of replacing your current billing service? This checklist will help you get started in
evaluating vendors.
Review your current billing service contract
Pay special attention to:
- Inadequate notice and potential penalties
- Ownership of data and data formats
- Automatic contract extensions
- Written notice requirements
- Termination options
- Continuation beyond termination date
Evaluate companies and services offered
- Ask for recommendations from other practice managers
- Decide on using an in-state or out-of-state company
- Find at least three companies to interview
- Ask about the company offering an electronic medical records system
- Ask about the company providing random and routine coding audits
- Ask about other consulting services such as strategic planning, billing audits, etc.
- Use the questionnaire for each company interviewed
On-site visit
Narrow your search to two companies.
Visit each one and:
- Ask to meet some of the staff who will work on your account and talk about what they
do and how
- Ask the staff and management similar questions and compare answers
- Get a feel for the company and workflow. Do you feel comfortable with the people and
procedures?
- Check references
- Make decision
Finalizing the commitment
- Review the contract carefully before signing it
- If you are replacing a billing service, compare your old contract with the new one. Does
it have all the rovisions you want?
- Have your practice’s lawyer review the contract before signing it
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