Q. How do you charge for medical billing services?

A. Our fees are based on a percentage of payments collected, and are all-inclusive. There are no hidden charges.

For full-service billing, this fee generally ranges from 5%- 10%, depending on the specialty, payer mix, and practice revenue. Larger specialty groups may pay even less.

For back-end billing, fees are generally between 3% and 10%, depending on the amount and type of billing required. Once we've discussed the specific needs of your practice with you, we'll be happy to given you a written quotation.

Q. Can you really save me money?

A. We've been able to increase collections for most practices anywhere from 10% to 30%. This covers the entire cost of our service, saves you money on all of your billing related expenses (such as employee salaries, telephone bills, postage, printing), and gives you higher net monthly cash deposits as well.

Q. Are you HIPPA-compliant?

A. Yes indeed. PhysicianLinx is fully compliant with HIPPA requirements and standards. We are also a member of Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA).

Q. Where do the checks go?

A. Payments are always sent directly to your practice or to a designated lock box account. Be wary of billing companies that demand that the payments come to them. All we need is a copy (or original, if you prefer) of the EOB to properly credit the account.

Q. I am not in Michigan. How would I submit my information to you?

A. PhysicianLinx sets up a courier account for your practice with a company such DHL or UPS. Your information will be picked up each day for certain volumes, or twice a week. This service is included, whether you have full-service or back-end billing. There are no additional fees.

Q. I've seen medical billing software for sale. Why shouldn't I do my own billing?

A. The answer to this question depends on the specific needs of your practice. In some cases, it does make more sense to do some or all of the billing in-house. That's why we carefully evaluate your needs and advise you accordingly. We will not try to sell you something you don't need.

Q. I already have an Internet-ready computer and would like to be able to access my practice data. Can I have secure access to the data on-line?

A. Yes, and that's not all. Our system allows you to look up information and even run reports and patient ledgers.

Q. Whom does the patient call with a billing question?

A. Our toll-free number and web site, www.physicianlinxonline.com is printed on your patients' statements, and a dedicated PhysicianLinx representative will handle all billing questions.

Q. What kind of reports will I get?

A. The standard report package includes detail practice financials, such as gross charges, gross receipts, A/R balance. This report is broken out by doctor, practice, revenue center. We also include productivity reports and aged receivables. Our billing system offers many specific reports and are usually available on request.

Q. Are you a collection agency?

A. No. PhysicianLinx focuses strictly on billing and follow-up. However, we pursue delinquent insurance claims and continue to work on them until payment is received. Our procedure is to send three statements to patients. If after the third statement there is no response, we will send a 10 day notification letter. At that point, it's up to you to decide to pursue collecting the balance due (e.g. outside collection agency).

Q. What if the patient is on a payment plan?

A. We'll send as many statements as it takes to get the balance paid as long as there is patient activity on the account.

Q. What's included in your service?

A. Our services include the following.

Help with transition to new billing service.

Review demographic, insurance data, encounters/super-bills received from you to ensure accuracy (e.g. CPT coding, modifier, diagnoses linkage), and enter them within two business days.

Report and request any missing billing documentation to you. We expect a reasonable turnaround time (usually 48 hours).

Assist with CPT, ICD-9CM, and HCPCS coding to maximize reimbursement and minimize denials. Actual CPT and HCPCS coding is a separate billable service. This service is performed only by CPC coders.

Electronically bill all payers.

Handle third-party billing.

Resubmit claims for review.

Post payments received to patient accounts.

Post and work rejections

Send monthly statements to patients

Review all claims within 45 day period and resolve denials or resubmit claims as necessary.

Advise physicians on any changes in HCFA requirements, CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-9-CM coding to maximize their reimbursement, and assist in fee schedule review/updates annually (automated fee/profile schedule updates).