Tag: Bruce Brothis

It's no secret that providers have historically shied away from going after beneficiaries who are slow to pay, but in an environment where every dollar counts that's changing, say consultants. Here, they offer a few basic—and practically free—tips to help providers get what they are owed.Be upfrontLet the beneficiary know before they walk out the door how much he or she is going to have to pay, says consultant Kelly Wolfe.“The providers I see have a good return rate if they just...

When it comes to the HME industry, instead of in with the new and out with the old, it's in with the new and more of the old. For 2013, the new includes a provision in the recently passed "fiscal cliff" deal that extends the look-back period for audits from three years to five years. The old includes a continuing stream of reviews by CMS contractors that result in staggeringly high error rates. But the new also includes this: Providers approaching 2013 with a renewed focus on succeeding...

Patient intake and insurance verification is a routine part of the HME business, so why do some companies perform poorly in this area? Many HMEs fail to collect valuable information during the admissions process, says billing expert Bruce Brothis, and that can lead to denials and other problems down the road. Brothis will outline perfect patient intake during his Medtrade session, "Patient Intake and Insurance Verification--Give Your Billing Department a Fighting Chance to do Their Job!" HME News:...