Medical billing is a complex process that varies depending on multiple factors. For example, primary care billing and surgical billing differ heavily in many ways. As a result, it’s important to understand these differences if you run a medical facility or need any billing support. Take a look at the information below to get a better understanding of how these processes differ.
Basics of Primary Care Bills
All medical facilities must retain medical records for a certain period. According to our industry knowledge, the Medicare Conditions of Participation asks all medical facilities and hospitals to hold records for five years. These include primary care bills for general doctor’s visits and blood tests.
The medical documentation for the bills includes medical codes that establish things like complexity, visit type, and whether a patient is established. These codes are typically five digits, such as 99202, which states a low-complexity therapy for an established patient.
Primary care billing also covers symptoms, including diarrhea, blood in the stool, and a patient’s temperature. A few changes in digits can express much of this information, allowing doctors to know how to treat a patient. Furthermore, primary care bills also include information about follow-up care.
Basics of Surgical Bills
Surgery billing is similar to primary care bills but focuses only on surgical procedures. As a result, different coding systems and numbers indicate varying therapies. For example, applying a forearm splint has a code of 29125, which varies from general care billing numbers.
Importantly, surgical billing is usually processed by different providers within an insurance company. A surgical billing group typically handles all these bills, ensuring they follow all codes. Primary care billers may split into multiple groups due to the size of this field.
The biggest difference between the two is sheer size. You’ll typically find primary care has far more billing codes and more complex coding options. Surgical billing is more complex but is more focused. It also handles far bigger claims, which makes billing even more challenging to process.
These differences make finding a primary care billing that understands your unique needs important. Thankfully, we’re here to help. Our team of professionals fully understands primary care and surgical billing and can help you choose the best option for your needs. Contact us at Sentinel Billing Solutions now to learn more about which methods are available to you. We’ll do what we can to ensure you’re satisfied.
