Oh No! Medicare Computer Glitch!

The software switch is over at Medicare, but keep your eyes peeled for medical billing mistakes coming from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Part B carriers have switched software systems over to a new billing software that is part of a multi-carrier system. Some carriers have already switched to the system, some are in the process of switching and some will change in the near future, many providers are implementing this switch in January 2007.

During the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services software switch, there were many medical billing claim errors. Errors that have occurred or could possibly occur again in the future include: missing updated codes, claim delays, wrongful denials, and lost crossover claims. It has been reported that some carriers that made the medical billing software change years ago are still having problems.

If you have the time, it would be wise to audit your medical billing claims for underpayments and missed reimbursements on your submitted claims. If you find you don’t have the time in your busy practice to audit your claims to ensure that the full reimbursements are being given, it might be time to consider outsourcing your medical billing claims to a third party partner that can not only audit your claims but also make sure you’re getting quicker turn around on your claims submissions as well handle the paperwork for other activities in your day to day practice such as getting credentialed.

Make sure you’re getting the maximum reimbursements for the medical billing claims you submit,if your staff no longer has the time – instead of hiring another body for your office – outsource your medical billing to the pros that can get you the best reimbursements possible!

View all Articles by: Melissa Clark, CCS-P