If you don't already use DME as part of your practice, look into adding this service. Durable Medical Equipment can be not only convenient for your patients but profitable for your practice. Both DME or HME (Home Medical Equipment) Billing Service is a specialized form of medical billing. When you're researching the feasibility of adding this service to your practice, make sure that your staff or your medical billing partner is equipped to handle the special needs of DME/HME medical billing claims.

The way it works is very simple. You diagnose a patient's needs as far as any equipment needed and go ahead and order it. Then, send the documentation to your medical billing company. The billing company will review the DME claim for absolute accuracy and then submit all billable claims. Re-imbursement for DME claims are sent to your office. Usually a secondary claim is generated and submitted for insurance purposes.

DME medical billing covers a very broad spectrum of medical billing types such as wound care billing, infusion therapy, diabetes supply, mobility therapy, and respiratory care. If there is special equipment needed for on-going care of the patient, such as diabetes testing supplies or a scooter, the medical billing company will code and submit those DME claims for you. Failure to code correctly or using outdated codes can cost you money and throw up a red flag for an audit.

When you outsource your medical billing claims to a third party partner, you will notice an immediate drop in denials and partial payments. Additionally, outsourcing to a partner that keeps up with the changes and requirements in the medical billing industry will allow you to do what you do best - grow a successful and thriving practice.