Submitting Medical Claims to Insurance Companies: A Seven-Point Checklist

Imagine a world where medical reimbursement is not a burden but an opportunity to be made whole financially. As a healthcare provider, correctly understanding the nuances of the submission of insurance claims can significantly impact your healthcare revenue cycle management.

Submitting a clean insurance claim is a complex task. It’s a path riddled with twists, turns, and hidden obstacles, where each step can determine your financial fate. As per a 2021 statistical report by Dr.Catalyst.com, as many as 30% of claims get denied or ignored, and reworking these claims came with an average price tag of $118 each.

This blog post delves into the seven key points healthcare professionals like you must remember before submitting medical claims to insurance companies. By understanding and implementing these points, you enhance healthcare revenue cycle management, streamline operations, and ultimately provide better care to your patients.

1. Accurate Patient Information:

When submitting medical claims to insurance companies, precision is paramount. Start by ensuring all patient details are meticulously entered into the claim form. Accuracy in recording the patient’s name, date of birth, address, and insurance information is non-negotiable. 

Even the slightest error can have significant repercussions, leading to claim rejections or protracted delays in reimbursement. Therefore, prioritize verifying and validating patient data as the foundational step in submitting medical claims to insurance companies.

2. Verify Insurance Coverage:

Before submitting medical claims to insurance companies, thorough verification of the patient’s insurance coverage is essential. The specifics of the insurance policy, including coverage limits, deductibles, and in-network providers, must be confirmed. 

Knowing the complexities of the patient’s policy is indispensable in preventing claim discrepancies and ensuring the services being claimed are eligible for reimbursement. Accuracy in this area helps navigate the submission of medical claims to insurance companies with confidence and precision.

3. Precise Coding and Documentation:

Precise medical coding and comprehensive documentation form the core of the successful submission of medical claims to insurance companies. Accurate coding is crucial to ensure the procedures and services being claimed align precisely with the submitted codes. 

Additionally, meticulous documentation of the diagnosis, treatment, and medical necessity supports the claims. The synergy between precise coding and thorough documentation enhances the chances of seamless and error-free submission of medical claims to insurance companies.

4. Timely Submission:

Timing is everything when it comes to submitting medical claims to insurance companies. Adhering to the insurance company’s specified submission deadlines is imperative. Late submissions often result in claim denials or delayed reimbursement, jeopardizing the financial health of healthcare providers. 

For a lubricated healthcare revenue cycle management, prioritize the timely submission of medical claims to insurance companies, ensuring that claims are filed promptly within the stipulated timeframes.

5. Prior Authorization and Referrals:

While submitting medical claims to insurance companies, specific procedures or specialist visits may necessitate prior authorization, such as most non-emergency surgeries. Ensuring that these authorizations are obtained as required is pivotal. 

Furthermore, if the patient’s insurance plan mandates referrals from primary care physicians for specialist consultations, these referrals must be in place. Neglecting these prerequisites can lead to claim denials and disrupt the medical submission process to insurance companies.

6. Scrutinize Claim for Errors:

Before finalizing the submission of medical claims to insurance companies, engage in a rigorous review process. Scrutinize the completed claim form for any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. 

Pay meticulous attention to the accuracy of medical coding, patient information, and supporting documentation. Detecting and rectifying errors at this stage is essential to prevent claim discrepancies and ensure a smooth and error-free submission of medical claims to insurance companies.

7. Follow Up on Claim Status:

Submitting medical claims to insurance companies doesn’t conclude with the claim filing. It’s crucial to establish a systematic follow-up process to monitor the status of submitted claims. Regularly engage with the insurance company to track the progress of your claims. 

Timely follow-ups enable the prompt identification and resolution of any issues, denials, or delays in the reimbursement process. Active and consistent follow-up is the key to optimizing the process of submitting medical claims to insurance companies for maximum efficiency.

MedBillingExpert for Submitting Medical Claims to Insurance Companies and Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management

Your pursuit for 100% reimbursement ends here. We are MedBillingExperts, one of the most favorite outsourcing companies for healthcare providers across the USA, Europe, and Australia. We completely understand that you, as a healthcare provider, face many challenges when submitting medical claims to insurance companies.

Our mission is to alleviate these burdens and streamline your claim submission process. With our decade-long experience in medical billing, coding, and claims submission, we offer a comprehensive service that ensures accuracy, efficiency, and timely reimbursement. 

By outsourcing your medical claims submission to us, you can focus on what matters most: providing exceptional patient care. Let us handle the intricacies of claim processing while you reap the benefits of a seamlessly managed healthcare revenue cycle. 

Contact us today to explore how we can be your trusted partner in achieving success in medical claims submission to insurance companies. Now begin your journey to financial stability and enhanced patient care with MedBillingExperts!