Payment & Correspondence Posting

Denial letters or correspondence refers to a diverse health plan or payer communications. Many health providers tend to manually enter the information into the denial management system and the billing system. There are a number of payment-posting services in medical billing.

The process of payment posting is defined as the method of logging in the payments into the software of medical billing. An overview is found through the insurance payments, patient payments along with insurance checks from the ERAs. 

Payment posting is a challenge that the majority of healthcare providers tend to face. The process of reimbursement remains incomplete without payment posting from the medical billing agencies. This is one of the most important reasons why payment posting is a key part of the process of revenue cycle management. 

If a certain claim is getting processed from the insurance payer or the patient, then the said amount gets transferred through EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) or a cheque gets dropped from the insurance payer with EOB. If the patient signs the documents of AOB (Assignment of Benefits then the payment is received by the patient. 

The process of payment posting when done properly can help in the assessment of the revenue cycle leads to bigger opportunities for development. It increases the flow of revenue while including posting changes along with dissents that help in recognizing the key reason behind the issues thereby solving it. 

Types Of Payment Posting

Depending on the financial background of the patient and the health insurance coverage, payment posting has two different ways of being followed.

1. Auto Posting:

This refers to a software-driven approach which is followed by the majority of the industry out there. Digital solutions help in speeding up the process of medical billing and bring in a constant flow of revenue. A number of solo medical practices tend to feel that manual payment posting gives them lesser control over the revenue generation system.

2. Manual Posting:

Manual posting refers to a type of payment posting that is looked after by the administrative staff. All the information is filled out manually which takes longer than auto-posting. However, there is an increasing problem of performing more errors such as typos.

The Reasons of Accurate Payment Posting Important In RCM

  • RCM for medical billing plays a key role in the entire process. When payment posting is inaccurate, it leads to an error in claims submissions towards the secondary to higher payers. When the first payment posting is not done properly, then the later ones tend to turn out incorrect.
  • The process of payment posting is the key part when it comes to the process of medical billing since it helps to monitor the healthcare provider’s incoming revenue. When it is streamlined in an efficient manner it helps in the proper organization of the payment posting. It further helps in resolving all errors in a swift manner.
  • In order to identify all of the issues that deal with non-payment, medical billing requires payment posting in order to seek better solutions. For instance, while handling claim denials, claim rejections, and failing to attend the previous authorization.
  • If there is an error in the payment posting, the balance will still get displayed on the paid account. The Account Receivable team tends to work closely in the process of medical billing in order to reimburse the claims.
  • When there is a problem that occurs during the payment posting process, the problem can either have a solution that is short-term in nature, or it could be marked through the identification of errors and patterns that are there in the medical billing policies.
  • Each step is crucial for the maintenance of a fool-proof revenue system. If during any step, a problem gets recognized then it can lead to a hindrance in the flow of revenue which can further cause problems when it comes to the treatment of patients.

Benefits Of Payment Posting In Medical Billing

Payment posting is a crucial step in the process of medical billing and in revenue cycle management. These are the benefits of payment posting when it comes to medical billing.

1. Solving recurring problems

There are a number of hindrances that can occur in revenue cycle management. These hindrances can be solved only through proper payment posting. It includes not only payment denials and adjustments but also payment posting. Payment denials can occur for a number of reasons and it is important to identify those since it can lead to claim denials in the future.

2. Reducing Denial Resolution Time

One of the most effective methods, when it comes to resolving these, is to go for prevention of denial. Instructions from different taxpayers are closely looked into, which helps in keeping the bulletins updated along with looking for resemblances from payers. Every time these denials remain pending, it automatically helps in contributing to the accounts receivable days.

3. Analyzing the Revenue Cycle in an easier manner

When a payment occurs, it is quite natural to analyze it in order to improve the revenue cycle and look for ways on how it could be enhanced further. It also provides a proper examination of payment posting which helps to boost the revenue cycle by increasing the profits earned and honing the function of the AR department.

4. Accurate submission of claims to the subordinate payers

When payment posting is done accurately, it helps in creating a correct claim submission towards the tertiary and secondary payers. However, if there are any errors in the primary payment method, then the tertiary and secondary payers will turn out to be incorrect as well. It is crucial for medical professionals to find different ways on how they can improve upon the revenue cycle in order to maximize the profit for the practice.

5. Strengthening of the existing process

With the healthcare service providers having a great impact on the overall revenue cycle management, without its efficiency, the growth of an organization can be affected. The management tends to put less importance on RCM which affects its functions. It is important to focus on solving the problems in order to make the revenue cycle more accurate and effective.