Has a specific person been assigned to look after my accounts?

Yes. An experienced medical biller will be in charge of handling your billing and accounts receivable. The owner manages all processes and ensures timely submittal, accurate billing and exception follow up.

When do you follow up on accounts?

Medicare takes two weeks and one day until your payments. We follow up on any and all claims that are past that time period. All outstanding accounts are worked thoroughly each month by our dedicated team. We also work all rejected accounts daily.

What kind of data do you provide for my practice for monthly reports?

We provide detailed reports based on everything created in our system during that month. They will include all payments, adjustments and billing. If your practice needs more information or additional reports, we will be happy to suit your needs.

Why should we outsource our billing? What can you provide our company that my own staff cannot?

Our fees are based on collected revenue. We do not get paid unless you get paid. Therefore, we care about your money. After being a Director, Manager, Supervisor for over 20 years, the owner of 1st Choice Medical Management understands that most employees do not take your finances to heart. They may love their job, but they aren’t invested in your finances. We dont succeed unless you do and we really care about collecting every penny we can for your company.

Do you also provide services for credentialing?

Yes! We provide credentialing services for groups, facilities or individual providers. We can handle simple applications or everything required, including CAQH and directory updates.

What cybersecurity or security measures do you take?

We follow all Hipaa rules along with all state and federal guidelines. Our billing system has a triple login system that ensures safety through our IT department.

General Questions:

What is Medicare timely filing?

1 year from the date of service.

Can we bill Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) patients?

No. Medicare states the following: Federal law prohibits Medicare providers and suppliers, including pharmacies, from billing individuals in the QMB group for Medicare cost sharing. Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the QMB group have no legal obligation to pay Part A or Part B deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for any Medicare-covered items and services.

Can we bill patients for denied services?

No. You can bill them for non-covered services that are truly not a part of the medical policy. However, you cannot bill them for denied services based on medical policy. Those will have to be appealed.

Can we bill an E & M service with every procedure?

No. You can only bill an E & M service with a procedure if they are separately identifiable services. That means that they must be separately noted in your chart and you must have separated the times (if billing based on time). You cannot bill a 30 minute E & M for a procedure and visit that only lasts 30 minutes long. That is combining times for both separate services.