Our most frequent requests this year have shifted as inflation reaches a 40-year record high, the clinical staffing shortage lingers, and insurance reimbursements stagnate. Read on for our top FAQs from Q1 of 2022.
Q: By what percentage should I increase my office fees for 2022?
A: It depends on your current fee profile. Not only can we provide a free customized fee analysis for 40 of your most frequently used fees, we also offer a Practice Analysis that covers fees, hygiene analysis, and suggestions to maximize your insurance reimbursements through proper coding. Fee increases are critical in 2022, even if you do participate in several PPO plans. Increasing fees provides the foundation to renegotiate PPO contracts and helps keep the fee profile in your area healthy. Plus you gain added collections through out-of-network and dual insurance patients!
Q: What can I do to improve my insurance collections and PPO fee schedules?
A: This has been our second most requested support topic in 2022! PST can empower you to make the changes that make sense for your practice through a PPO Analysis and follow-up call with one of our coaches. We can help you determine the next best step and devise a plan to retain as many patients as possible if you do drop a plan. If dropping a plan isn’t right for you, we can help you maximize your reimbursements through ethical coding strategies. If renegotiating isn’t for you, don’t worry — we also have a vetted referral partner that can take on the challenge.
Q: Help, we can’t find a dental hygienist!
A: While we don’t offer a placement service, we can help you in a couple of different ways. Check out our website on Hiring During and After a Pandemic where you can find sample ads, recruiting, and retention tips. We also provide alternative scheduling templates to make the most of the staff you have. Considering an associate dentist to fill the void? We can help with that too by preparing an Associate Readiness Analysis along with best practices for successful integration.
Q: What is the best way to code and bill for optional services, such as the use of lasers during hygiene treatment?
A: We understand practice owners want to provide quality care to patients, which sometimes means little to no insurance coverage while realizing a fair reimbursement. This requires an in-depth knowledge of how to bill for optional services and when you can balance bill the patient. You can request our one-page resource, which provides clarity on how to accomplish this goal.
Our top two most requested analyses so far in 2022
Practice Analysis: This is a great entry point for a practice to gain insights into their systems to learn what is working well while discovering growth opportunities. It includes a customized fee analysis by zip code, a look at case acceptance, a deeper dive into hygiene department analysis, new patient growth, and equipment return on investment, along with suggestions and resources for the doctor and team to meet the goals they select.
PPO Analysis: Empower your PPO decisions with a weighted average write-off analysis by plan and procedure. If dropping is right for you, we will create a six-month drop plan for maximum retention. If renegotiating is a better fit, we can provide a step-by-step guide for maximum effectiveness.
As the Practice Support Team, it is our pleasure to serve you and help in your practice’s success. We are here when you need us and just an email away.
Your success is our success. Please reach out to us anytime.
Learn more, visit the Practice Support Team page, email us at PracticeSupportTeam@BurkhartDental.com, or call 1.800.665.5323.
Category: Practice Consulting
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