1 . Assume if insurance does not pay for treatment that patients won ’ t move forward . Even if the services are denied as not a covered benefit or they do not meet medical necessity you should never let an insurance company dictate what is best for the patient .
2 . Submit a claim for services you have not yet completed and tell the patient , “ Once your insurance pays you can decide if you want to move forward because we ’ ll know what your out of pocket responsibility is .” This may sound ridiculous , but it happens .
3 . Oversell how comfortable or easy an appliance is compared to a CPAP especially if they have never tried CPAP . Again , set expectations low ; “ It will be tight , slightly uncomfortable and feel like a mouthful for the first week or two . By the end of a month you should be feeling rested and your mouth and brain will be used to wearing it .”
4 . Do not assume what your patient can or cannot afford . We all will find the money for what we want and what we feel we need . The lady with the cheap handbag and car could be a millionaire and the lady dripping in diamonds could be dead broke . You never know , it ’ s none of your business ; just present the services they need .
5 . Do not rush though the process with the patient , give the patient the time to ask questions and take ownership . This does not have to be doctor time . Assistants , front office , and treatment coordinators should own the bulk of this conversation . DO NOT LET THE DOCTOR TALK MONEY .
LESIA CRAWFORD
D NT
1 . Assume if insurance does not pay for treatment that patients won ’ t move forward . Even if the services are denied as not a covered benefit or they do not meet medical necessity you should never let an insurance company dictate what is best for the patient .
2 . Submit a claim for services you have not yet completed and tell the patient , “ Once your insurance pays you can decide if you want to move forward because we ’ ll know what your out of pocket responsibility is .” This may sound ridiculous , but it happens .
3 . Oversell how comfortable or easy an appliance is compared to a CPAP especially if they have never tried CPAP . Again , set expectations low ; “ It will be tight , slightly uncomfortable and feel like a mouthful for the first week or two . By the end of a month you should be feeling rested and your mouth and brain will be used to wearing it .”
4 . Do not assume what your patient can or cannot afford . We all will find the money for what we want and what we feel we need . The lady with the cheap handbag and car could be a millionaire and the lady dripping in diamonds could be dead broke . You never know , it ’ s none of your business ; just present the services they need .
5 . Do not rush though the process with the patient , give the patient the time to ask questions and take ownership . This does not have to be doctor time . Assistants , front office , and treatment coordinators should own the bulk of this conversation . DO NOT LET THE DOCTOR TALK MONEY .
I WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE NORTH AMERICAN DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE SYMPOSIUM ON THE TOPIC OF INCREASING OAT CASE ACCEPTANCE .
Lesia Crawford , CEO of GoGo Billing
GoGo Billing offers help with Tricare registration for no charge and Medicare credentialing services for DME , Part B and Ordering and Referring . Enter code DS3100 for $ 100.00 off DME and Part B credentialing .
Contact me at Lesia @ GoGoBilling . com or call ( 877 ) 874-4646 ext . 1