Billing tactics. Advantages of a professional billing service in radiation oncology.

An efficient billing system for your professional services must include the following items: 1. A significant amount of personal involvement by the physician in the origination of the patients' charges. 2. Friendly, courteous, and helpful personnel for patient interaction. 3. Timely and accurately posting of accounts. 4. An absolute separation of receipt of payments and account reconciliation. 5. A personal interest by the physician in the accounts receivable balance as well as monthly financial summaries of the ongoing business of your practice. 6. Knowledge of the patient's credit history and ability to pay for services. 7. Dedication to serving you in the most efficient cost-effective manner. 8. A method for remaining absolutely current on any changes occurring in the healthcare reimbursement sector. 9. Frequent meetings between the radiation oncologist and the service responsible for professional billing. 10. Timely review and management of all past due accounts making decisions toward collection or adjustment. 11. A method for tracking referral physician identification and disease categories which are now a part of Medicare billing requirements and should allow you to be able to graphically demonstrate trends in your practice referrals.