Clinical care in pharmacies is hardly a new thing. Pharmacists have been providing care beyond filling prescriptions for as long as the profession has existed. But getting compensated for that care? That’s a recent development. And in order to get paid for providing that care, pharmacies must utilize some kind of medical billing solution.
Medical Billing Solutions for Profitable Patient Care
Every day, more pharmacies are embracing the New Era Pharmacy model. Clinical care within the pharmacy’s four walls is becoming more commonplace. In response, more and more software providers are offering medical billing solutions for pharmacies. But how do you choose the right one? What does a medical billing solution need in order to be a truly useful tool for pharmacists?
Here are four things every medical billing solution should have:
Integration with Your Pharmacy Management System
Technology can be a game-changer in this industry. Automating your manual processes and making the move from paper to digital records can save you a lot of time and frustration. However, if your systems can’t talk to each other (in a manner of speaking), you’re going to create new inefficiencies in place of all the ones you were trying to eliminate. Be sure the medical billing solution you choose integrates with your pharmacy management system. Otherwise, you’ll be entering items multiple times, doing twice the work, and not saving any time whatsoever.
Optimization for Clinical Care Services
As a pharmacy on the cutting edge, you need to make sure that your medical billing solution is prepared to bill for every care service you provide to your patients. Can your solution bill for flu shots and other immunizations? What about durable medical equipment? Diagnostic testing? Diabetes management? If you provide it, you need to be able to bill for it.
Electronic Eligibility Verification
Save time and money by making sure your patients have coverage before you provide services. Electronic eligibility verification allows you to file claims more easily and get reimbursed for your services more quickly. Most importantly, EEV means no more phone verifications, freeing up your phone lines for patient communications.
Comprehensive Reporting
How easily can you check the status of your claims? Can you zero in on specific claims, or see all claims made within a specific time period? What about tracking secondary claims? Can you spot errors in an instant and easily make corrections? Your medical billing solution should be able to generate reports that keep you in the know and up to date on all your patient care claims.
It takes a special kind of person to be a pharmacist. You have to be part scientist, part detective, part businessperson, and part customer service superstar. Above all, you have to care about people and have the drive and desire to improve their lives. And while improving lives can be its own reward, it takes more than warm fuzzies to keep your doors open.
Pharmacies have a wealth of options when it comes to medical billing solutions. When you’re choosing how to bill for your clinical care, make sure your solution checks all the right boxes.
Want to learn how FDS MedBill can help your pharmacy bill for clinical care? Click the button below.
