Some Top Questions To Ask When Shopping For Cloud Based Medical Billing Software

Choosing the right cloud based medical billing software not only helps you account for rands and cents, but it also improves processes and supports the flow of information and communication between your practice and patients. With so much riding on your software system selection, it's in your best interest to select one that's not just good - but right for your specific practice needs. So, how do you pick an off-the-shelf cloud-based healthcare billing software from a sea of options that all claim to support your practice's business and financial needs? billrMd has compiled a list of questions to ask a potential (or current) provider to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck.

How simple is it to use your cloud-based healthcare billing software?

The user is only as good as the software. Remember that while sophisticated functionality is a 'nice-to-have,' it is useless if your practice staff cannot use it. Medical practice software is frequently designed without direct input from end-users, and what a developer may consider simple to use may not be so for you or your practice staff.

Questions to ask your provider include:-

• What kind of training do you provide to get my practice up and running quickly?
• Will my practice have easy access to help if I or one of my employees need it?

Is your cloud-based healthcare billing software capable of automating time-consuming administrative tasks?

One of the most obvious advantages of good medical billing software is that it automates routine tasks and basic practice management processes that used to take a lot of time and resources. Your provider should understand what these tasks are in a medical practice and incorporate them into their software. Consider which administrative tasks consume the most time for your staff and inquire with your provider about how the software can reduce or eliminate these tasks.

Questions to ask your provider include:-

• Is your cloud based medical software capable of automating patient benefit checks so that my staff knows exactly how much the patient's medical insurance will cover?
• Is the software capable of automating patient appointment reminders in order to save time calling patients to remind them of upcoming appointments?

Is your cloud-based healthcare billing software easy to use and provides reports that I can use to improve the performance of my practice?

Most cloud based medical billing software provides some level of reporting, but very few provide a comprehensive view of your business. Or, if they do provide you with a detailed view of your practice, the reports are overly complicated and useless. Reports that do not provide you with key insights into three critical areas of your practice - operational, financial, and clinical - have a negative impact on your practice's profitability and success.

Questions to ask your provider include:-

• Is it possible to generate operational, financial, and clinical reports using your software?
• Are reports simple to access and comprehend?
• Do your reports show monthly trends?

Is your cloud-based healthcare billing software compatible with your clinical notes / electronic medical records (EMR) system?

It is critical that your medical billing software is capable of securely sharing data with your electronic clinical notes / EMR. Nothing stymies your efforts to streamline and optimize your practice like two systems that don't "talk" to each other. At all costs, avoid standalone software.

Questions to ask your provider include:-

• Is it simple to integrate your medical billing software with electronic clinical notes / EMRs?

Is it possible for patients to schedule their own appointments using your cloud-based healthcare billing software?

It is critical to make it simple and easy for patients to book their own appointments for two reasons: For starters, it helps to reduce administrative costs and resources. Second, it enhances the patient's experience. Medical billing software that includes an online patient booking platform is an excellent way to gain new patients and keep current ones. Medical claims software automates the invoicing and claims processes of a medical practice.

Questions to ask your provider include:-

• Is there an online patient booking platform available in your medical billing software?
• Does the booking platform integrate with the software's calendar?

Is the pricing for your cloud-based healthcare billing software straightforward?

Make sure you understand the true cost of a medical billing software solution. Many providers charge a low fee per claim sent, but then charge separate licensing fees, or charge every time you want to check patient benefits or automatically reconcile an eRA, and so on. These extra fees add up, and you'll end up spending far more than you bargained for. Before you sign up, you should have a thorough understanding of software costs, including what functionality is charged separately.

Questions to ask your provider include:-

• Are there any extra costs besides the quoted price?
• Is it possible to automate tasks like benefit checks, SMS patient appointment reminders?
• Is support included or additional?

Is it possible to communicate with patients using the system?

Medical billing software saves your patients' contact information, and one of the benefits of using the right software is that it makes it easier to communicate important messages with your patients. Your software should be able to send communication about holiday operating hours, new services available, vaccine reminders, and more with the click of a button.

Questions to ask your provider include:

• Can I use your software to send bulk and/or personalized SMS messages to patients?

What's most important to remember when looking for cloud based medical billing software is that you're choosing a technology partner who can help you run your business for maximum profitability and efficiency. If you'd like to speak with us, billrMD about how we can help your company, please contact us.