Finance

Physicians with charity care programs must be careful to avoid the appearance that they are breaking anti-kickback rules by offering financial incentives, in the form of free or reduced-price care, in order to induce referrals.

Whether or not your practice has a full-time billing staff or outsources this function, billing remains the backbone of the revenue cycle in the practice.

As long as the carrier's incident-to rules are met, there's no problem. When the rules are broken, there's a problem.

Factoring offers you quick cash, but it comes at a steep price.

Physicals don't need to be a painful exercise in billing at your medical practice if you get the coding and reimbursement details right. Here's how to do it.

Pros, cons, and advice on using a lockbox

Be educated and advocate for yourself when it comes to working with Medicare carriers

Get advance guarantees of payment from patients' employers or insurers for out-of-state claims

What you need to know about third-party administrators

How to improve worker's comp billing and collections

How to fight denials and make appeals work

Don't work harder. Just collect what you're owed.

All about bonding your employees

Improve reimbursement through active management

How to use your unapplied account for the best collections

How to select an electronic claims processor

An electronic billing office can save you money on paperwork and improve cash flow

Advice on getting paid for extra services

Three ways to improve your relationship with a collection agency - and the agency's results.

How to figure what should and shouldn't be bundled

The rules regarding fee schedule discounts are unsettlingly vague. Here are some guidelines.

How to evaluate your payment posting process

How to conduct an annual review of billing and collections processes

Physicians are gaining access to real-time tools for electronic transactions with insurers

How do you negotiate with managed-care payers? If you're wise, very carefully.