The primary focus for doctors and other medical professionals is to provide the best possible care for their patients, especially when that care involves something as complex as surgery. But, medical care also involves billing, and medical professionals need to be prepared to issue bills when necessary. General surgery medical billing can be quite complex, and if you don’t follow the necessary procedures, you could bill a patient incorrectly. Incorrect billing could in turn be perceived as fraudulent, which may have longstanding financial and legal consequences.

Below, we’re considering the aspects of general surgery medical billing, and what those responsible for the process need to be aware of.

1. Medical Records Are Key

Medical records must not only be kept organized; they must also be kept on file for the long term. For example, in Arizona doctors must maintain their patients’ medical records for a minimum of six years following the last date of services. This is for several reasons. For one thing, patients and doctors must be able to refer back to these medical records for legal reasons. But for another thing, maintaining records can make it easier for everyone involved to keep better track of general surgery medical billing.

2. Medical Billing Connects Providers with Insurance Companies

Medical providers need to work with insurance companies, and billing, in many ways, acts as a bridge between the two. The invoice that medical providers send out for services is a claim, and insurance companies may either accept and process or contest a claim. This is another reason why medical records are so important. Providers and patients alike need to prove that insurance companies are responsible for covering these services.

3. Medical Billing Can Increase Revenue

General surgery medical billing procedures can be responsible for increasing the revenue of medical businesses. This is because the medical billing process involves measuring all of the services involved in treatment, and ensuring that patients are billed for them. Providers can’t do this by themselves.

4. Billing Is Reliant On Software

Medical providers work with thousands of patients and offer them multiple services. With that being said, it can be difficult to do this without software.

Take an organized approach to medical billing. It can greatly impact your business’s success.