Whether taking a short-period trip overseas or planning to relocate to a foreign country, temporary international health insurance plans provide medical insurance that will meet individual health requirements. In other words, the plans are appropriate for sudden and unexpected injury or illness while traveling away from the home country on a temporary basis. As the name implies, temporary international health insurance is a type of insurance facility applicable for a limited period of time. This type of insurance cannot be considered as an alternate for annual-renewable (or “permanent”) major medical health insurance.

Temporary international health insurance plans vary from one organization to another. The plans differ in minimum benefit periods and legal registrations. Their services cover business executive travel (single and multi-trip), travel groups, students, diplomats, missionaries, expatriates, and entertainers. Temporary international health insurance plans can be purchased with coverage for the insured’s spouse and dependent children, as well.

Temporary health insurance plans commonly cover expenses related to hospital, intensive care, surgery, outpatient treatment, emergency medical evacuation, accidental death or dismemberment, return of minor children, and repatriation of mortal remains. In addition to international emergency care, the service can sometimes provide trip cancellation and lost luggage insurance coverage – it is best to discuss your needs with a licensed insurance agency.

The Liaison International and the Atlas Series are two popular temporary international health insurance plans available in the United States. The Liaison International (available monthly) is a plan for both US citizens and non-US citizens. It includes two separate rate tables - international travel out the USA (for US citizens and US residents traveling abroad), and international travel that includes the USA (for foreign nationals visiting the USA). The Atlas Series are two plans for temporary travel outside of the home country. One plan is for non-US citizens traveling anyplace outside of their home country, and second plan is “Atlas International”, which is for US citizens traveling outside the USA.

Florida individual health insurance refers to the individual health insurance plans offered by the Florida health insurance companies for the residents of Florida. Individual health insurance is an ideal option for one whose employer doesn’t provide health coverage, or if you or your dependents are not properly covered by the present group policy. According to the individual health care plan the insurance company offers health care protection for only one individual, or family.

Today, there are several Florida individual health insurance providers offering various health insurance schemes. There are mainly two types of Florida individual health insurance policies - major medical insurance and disability insurance. Major medical health insurance offers wide coverage for most types of injuries and illnesses, even though coverage for some conditions is excluded. Disability insurance, sometimes called income replacement, provides coverage for the period when you are unable to work because of disability such as illness or severe injury.

Individual health insurance policies are generally more expensive when compared with group insurance. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be affordable. Signing up a policy which specifies your Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) will help you to get a lower-priced services and lower deductibles. You may also be able to save on individual health insurance costs by taking advantage of government sponsored services like Medicaid, Medicare, and those for children, women, and teenagers.

One can directly apply for an individual health insurance policy from a Florida individual health insurance company. In most cases, the insurance company will provide a questionnaire for you to complete, asking various questions about your current and past health history. After determining your risk, the company will set a premium.

Medically known as cephalalgia, a headache is an ache or pain in the head, neck, and sometimes upper back. One of the most common afflictions, causes can range from stress, eye strain, and sinus tension, to aneurysms, meningitis, and tumors. They can also be caused by more outwardly obvious reasons, such as head injuries or blows to the neck or face.

What’s Hurting
The brain, as an organ, is not capable of feeling pain; it lacks the right nerve fibers to be pain-sensitive. But, there are areas near the brain where pain is able to be felt: a network of nerves surrounds the scalp, face, throat and neck. Additionally, the blood vessels, the surrounding membranes, and the muscles of the head all have the ability to perceive pain.

Types of Headaches
While there are many sub-categories, there are four types of headaches. These are vascular, myogenic, traction, and inflammatory.

Vascular: Vascular headaches are headaches caused by the swelling or irritation of blood vessels. They include migraines (headaches that involve severe pain, nausea and blurred vision), toxic headaches (headaches that are produced by a fever or from over-exposure to toxic chemicals, including alcohol), cluster headaches (headaches marked by clustered episodes of intense pain usually over one eye), and headaches caused by hypertension.

Myogenic: Myogenic headaches are caused when the muscles in the head and neck tighten, causing pain. A tension headache, the most common kind of headache, falls under the Myogenic category. These can either be episodic (coming on every once in a while) or chronic (occurring with frequency). They are often caused by the stresses of lack of sleep, emotional influences, nerves, bad posture, hunger, and physical exertion.

Traction and Inflammatory: Both Traction and Inflammatory headaches are symptoms of underlying medical conditions or disorders. Without treatment, these get worse and occur more often over time. An example of this is a sinus headache, a headache caused by inflammation of the sinuses. This inflammation can be the result of bacteria, fungus, viruses, allergies, or autoimmune reactions.

Diagnosis of Headaches
Though, from a statistical standpoint, most headaches don’t require medical attention, this isn’t always the case. Because some headaches may be warning signs of life-threatening conditions, a medical diagnosis may be needed, sometimes urgently.

Headaches that are persistent and worsening over time, headaches that are frequent in children, headaches that are caused by a blow to the head, and headaches that involve fever, stiff neck, confusion, or unconsciousness are just a few examples of headaches that warrant the attention of a healthcare professional. In these cases, CT scans and MRI’s of the head are typically performed.

Treatment of Headaches
Headaches that are not symptomatic of an underlying condition can usually be treated with over the counter painkillers. However, frequent and prolonged use of this kind of medication is not recommended and can actually lead to Rebound Headaches (headaches caused by withdrawal from medication). Caffeine and certain vitamins – Magnesium, Vitamin B2 – are also sometimes recommended.

Some people find that keeping a diary of when their headaches occur helps them to figure out the “trigger” of their headaches. For instance, certain foods and certain medication can lead to headaches. If a person is tracking when these foods and medications are used and realizes that they have headaches a few hours after consumption, something they are ingesting could be the cause.

Genetics and Headaches
While there is no genetic link among certain types of headaches, some types do tend to run in families. This is particularly true for migraines. Most children and teenagers who have reported repeated migraines also have relatives with the same affliction. In fact, if both parents of a child have repeated episode of migraines, there is roughly a 70 percent the child will develop them at some point. If only one parent has migraines, however, the chances of the child developing them drop to between 25 and 50 percent.

Headaches can be range from temporary pain and temporary discomfort to a warning signal your body is emitting. Anything that is prolonged or severe should never be ignored, no matter how common headaches may be.

About Us:The Center for Osteopathic Medicine in Boulder, Colorado believes in The Osteopathic Difference. In a medical industry focused on treating symptoms, The Center is more focused on finding the cause of these symptoms. The Osteopathic Difference is the application of “Hands on Therapeutics” for both the diagnosis and treatment of complaints, disorders, and pain. The Osteopathic Difference will apply the time proven osteopathic fact that function is directly related to structure, and poor structure will lead to poor function.

While The Center tries to focus on health, and above all else, prevention for all those who cross into its threshold, sometimes the best that can be done is to recognize the source of the “DIS-EASE,” and to teach every individual how to manage their symptoms. Believing that it is the most important aspect of any treatment regime, and that it is the primary job of the health care practitioner, The Center works to empower the patient in the maintenance of their own health.

Achieving health is also an elusive place, and The Center will work tirelessly to create a path to health which, when embraced by the patient over time, will allow the patient to enjoy a positive return on their rehabilitation investment. The Center teaches a Mindfulness Yoga Program that aims to educate the patient in the power of the mind to minimize, if not rid the body of, aches and pain. Although the ultimate goal of health is to live without the use of drugs, natural or otherwise, The Center for Osteopathic Medicine recognizes the importance of medicinals and their appropriate use. All styles of “Hands on Manipulation” are practiced at The Center. By combining these Manipulative techniques with Structural Integration, massage, meditation and Western Medicine, The Center for Osteopathic Medicine helps people to identify disease before it manifests, quiet pains that have been previously diagnosed as Chronic, and embrace a holistic mindset to Live in the Present- and within that presence, live completely well.

The information discussed in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms of a health problem, please visit your doctor. The material discussed on this website is not meant to replace the opinion or diagnosis of a medical professional.

If you have received a diagnosis of clinical depression, you are not alone. Millions of people have been informed that they are suffering from this condition. It is natural to wonder about depression and what it is exactly.

What is clinical depression? What are the symptoms and how does it make a sufferer feel?

Different from a low mood or feelings of being down that may be occasionally experienced by most people when they are feeling “blue,” clinical depression is a medical diagnosis. The disorder manifests in feelings of intense melancholia or sadness. For sufferers, the despair they experience can interfere with and disrupt activities normally associated with daily living and can impact on social functioning. Suffers may feel they are running on empty, finding that their ability to feel emotion is challenged. Motivation can be difficult when a person feels loss of interest or pleasure in activities that formerly brought satisfaction.

Other symptoms of clinical depression may include fear, changed appetite, disturbed sleep patterns, psychomotor agitation or retardation, and loss of mental or physical energy. In defining what is clinical depression and how someone with the disorder experiences it, a description might include feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, loneliness, and anxiety. Decision making ability, focus, concentration, and memory may be affected. Finally, intrusive and reoccurring thoughts of suicide or death may be present. It is a serious condition that needs attention.

If you have been diagnosed as having clinical depression, you will be considering treatment options. Scientific advances have shed light on this condition and differing treatments are available. Conventional therapies may include prescription medications and psychotherapy. An additional treatment, when chemical treatment fails, may be electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. Alternatively, Natural therapies may be turned to. Natural remedies will include nutritional supplementation.

Research has revealed that nutritional deficiencies in the brain and nervous system can be significant factors in malfunction of neurotransmitters and in cognitive impairment in the brain. In describing how nutritional deficiencies may affect brain functioning, an illustration may prove helpful. Picture a plant that grows in rich, nutrient-filled soil. The plant flourishes and is healthy. These are optimal conditions. What would happen if the soil became depleted, compromising the plant’s intake of necessary nutrients? The plant would probably live but would not thrive. This illustration may help in gaining an understanding of what is clinical depression and factors that may contribute to the condition.

Nutritional remedies are preparations containing amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and co-factors; enzymes, herbal extracts and specialty supplements. Effective ingredients include chamomile, used as a general tonic and useful for alleviating insomnia and anxiety; ginkgo biloba, beneficial in treating cognitive decline and depression and shown to promote mental clarity and concentration; green tea which has polyphenols, thought to be responsible for benefits it provides, one of which is improved cognitive performance; and valerian, which may have hypotensive properties and is used for treating insomnia, restlessness, anxiety-induced sleep disorders, and depression. These, as well as other essential ingredients, help in treating depression.

Natural remedies can be relied upon to offer safe and effective relief. By correcting imbalances that impair brain functioning, natural supplements offer hope to those suffering from clinical depression.

Acne is a disorder resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands and hair follicles. These factors lead to plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions commonly called pimples or zits. Doctors describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous units (PSUs). Found over most of the body, PSUs are most numerous on the face, upper back and chest.

Acne is often treated by dermatologists. The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesion, stop new lesions from forming, prevent scarring and minimize the psychological stress. For mild signs of acne, doctors usually recommend an Over-The-Counter (OTC) or prescription topical medicine. Topical medicine is applied directly to the acne lesions or to the entire area of affected skin.

There are several OTC topical medicines used for mild acne. Each works a little differently. Following are the most common ones:

• Benzoyl peroxide – destroys P. acnes, and may also reduce oil production

• Resorcinol – can help break down blackheads and whiteheads

• Salicylic acid – helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Also helps cut down the shedding of cells lining the hair follicles

• Sulfur – helps break down blackheads and whiteheads.

Topical OTC medicines are available in many forms, such as gels, lotions, creams, soaps, or pads. In some people, OTC acne medicines may cause side effects such as skin irritation, burning, or redness, which often get better or go away with continued use of the medicine. If you experience severe or prolonged side effects, you should report them to your doctor. OTC topical medicines are somewhat effective in treating acne when used regularly; however, it may take up to 8 weeks before you see noticeable improvement.

Please be reminded that the above information is for informational purposes only and it is not intended to replace any health care services you need. The information provided is strictly not meant to diagnose medical conditions, offer medical advice, or endorse specific products or services. Do not rely upon the information provided alone for medical diagnosis or treatment. Kindly consult your doctor about any personal health concerns.

You don’t realise it yet, but in the next two minutes, you’re going to learn about an amazing natural and drug-free therapy that could release you from the shackles of your chronic back pain.

You see the truth is, your back pain is a THIEF! In fact, it’s robbing from you right now as your sitting and reading this. Yes you heard right, it’s robbing you of the FREEDOM to:

1. Perform simple day to day tasks e.g. gardening, driving
2. Enjoy a good nights sleep
3. Feel energised and refreshed
4. Have peace of mind, free from depression and anxiety
5. Play with your kids
6. Bend & stretch to reach things
7. Maintain a fully independent lifestyle

The No.1 Cause of Disability

Millions are suffering like you across the world! In fact according to the UK ‘Back Care’ Charity, there are AT LEAST 1.1 million people suffering from back pain each year. Back Pain is cited as being the main cause of disability in U.K. Every year over 150 million working days are lost due to back pain.

The picture across the waters in the US tells a very similar story. According to American Chiropractic Association, at any given time, there are approximately 31 million people experiencing some form of back pain.

According to the World Health Organisation - “More people in Canada, the U.S., and Finland are disabled from working due to musculoskeletal disorders, especially back pain, than any other group of diseases.” (Badley et al 1994)

Time for a Change…Don’t You Think?

Clearly those figures are not going to fill you with sunny optimism, but here’s something that will. I’m talking about a therapy that uses the awesome forces of nature to help you get your life back.

It’s been in use since about 2000 B.C. The ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Indians, swore by it. Archimedes praised its amazing therapeutic powers.

Today, it has many well-known devotees such as Cherie Blair, Bill Clinton, Andre Agassi, and Sir Anthony Hopkins. And, it was approved in February 2006, for use by the National Health Service.

Let me introduce the phenomenal power of Magnetic Therapy as your heavyweight contender in the fight against your back pain. If you are not familiar with the term, you may have heard it referred to as Bio Magnetic Therapy, or Magneto Therapy. Magnetic Energy itself, is all natural; in fact the earth itself is a huge magnet. Scientists have discovered that all living things are affected by Magnetic Energy.

You may be familiar with the story about the NASA astronauts who became ill and weakened on their return home from orbit. Their scientists later discovered that their symptoms were due to Magnetic deficiency. The problem was resolved by stitching magnets into the astronauts spacesuits.

Advancements in technology have enabled scientists to replicate the Earth’s Magnetic Energy in the form of therapeutic magnets as we see them in use today.

Magnetic Therapy does not hold the power to cure, but what it does do effectively is to stimulate and kick start your bodies own healing processes.

The therapy itself is a non-invasive and safe method of applying static or pulsed magnets, either directly above the point of injury or near a major artery. These high strength magnets generate a Magnetic Field that is powerful enough to penetrate right through the skin and bones, down to the cells.

How Magnetic Therapy Can Affect Your Back’s Pain & Inflammation

When the Magnetic Field penetrates down to the cellular level, the iron content present within your blood cells becomes responsive to it. This reaction results in improved blood circulation. One of the functions of blood is to take oxygen and nutrients from the heart out to the cells, tissues and vital organs in the body. Therefore, improved blood circulation means that more oxygen and nutrients can be transported out to the damaged cells and tissues a lot more efficiently.

This booster supply of oxygen and nutrients enables the bodies own healing processes to work at an accelerated rate. In the midst of all this activity, the brain sends out signals to release the body’s natural painkillers, i.e. Endorphins Magnetic Therapy is not only effective at reducing pain, but also tackling Inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s primary healing response to damaged tissues or attacks from viruses or bacteria. When the body comes under attack, the brain initiates the defence sequence of sending out the White Blood Cells (think of them as the bodies ‘heavy mob’ who are always on the look out for trouble, aka the viruses, foreign bodies etc) to the site of injury or location of foreign bodies. The white blood cell’s job is to devour the foreign bodies and then release chemicals into the surrounding tissues. It is these chemicals that trigger inflammation.

Inflammation causes blood vessels to increase in width to make allowance for the increased amount of blood going to the site of injury. The blood transports the white blood cells, platelets, nutrients and oxygen to the area at an accelerated pace. Fluid flows from the blood vessels and leaks into the damaged tissues causing swelling. The swollen area becomes puffy and warm to touch.

White blood cells will maintain their position at the point of injury, and the brain will continue to send reinforcements until the battle is won. However, if there is a continued highly concentrated presence of white blood cells in the blood, this could indicate that something very serious is going on in the body.

The Magnetic Field benefits inflammation by drawing out excess fluid and toxins from the surrounding tissues and then expelling them, on route, via the Liver and Kidneys. Once the excess fluid and toxins are removed the swelling will begin to reduce.

The improved blood circulation and tackling of inflammation, leaves the way open for the body to be able to HEAL ITSELF efficiently. The end result for you, the sufferer, is that the scales become tipped in your favour, i.e., you control the Back Pain instead of the Back Pain controlling you.

The main benefits that you can get from Magnetic Therapy are that it: -

1. Is a drug free alternative to manage pain
2. Uses natural energy
3. Has stood the test of time
4. Is constantly advancing – the amount of evidence and studies about it’s effectiveness continue to grow year on year
5. Won’t mask pain, it attacks the source
6. Can make you feel less stressed and more energised
7. Can be used to treat mild depression
8. Relieves or eliminates pain & inflammation
9. Improves circulation
10. Is a cost effective option to paying for prescriptions
11. Longer lasting pain relief than traditional pain killers
12. Puts you in control of your pain

The Critics

Now, of course I am not going to suggest that all is rosy in the garden where Magnetic Therapy is concerned. As with any Alternative Medicine, it is not without it critics. in fact, in January 2006, a paper in the British Medical Journal by Professor Leonard Finegold, from Drexel University in Philadelphia and Professor Bruce Flamm, from Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre in Riverside, California, cast doubt on the perceived benefits of Magnetic Therapy. Yet it was interesting to note that just a month later on the 26 February 2006, we see that the UK National Health Service gave it’s approval for doctors to prescribe Magnetic Therapy to patients. In fact the actual quote was -

“The NHS Prescription Pricing Authority has ruled that 4UlcerCare is not just good for patients but also a good use of NHS cash. It believes the magnets will save money on bandages and nurses’ time by healing the wounds.”

When all is said done, there will always be arguments for and against, but in the end, you have to make up your own mind as a consumer. Is Magnetic some sort of hocus pocus ‘placebo effect?’ Or could there be something in it? Only you can decide.

DISCLAIMER

• The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not replace the advice of medically or legally trained professionals.
• All matters concerning your health require medical supervision.
• Please ensure that you consult your GP prior to adopting any suggestions put forward by Magnetics 4 Back Pain, as well as about any condition that may require medical diagnosis or medical attention.
• Magnetics 4 Back Pain is not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury sustained either directly or indirectly from information put forward in this article.

There are many physical side effects related to Crohn’s Disease. Since Crohn’s is a chronic condition for which there is no cure, the disease can permeate an individual’s sense of well-being, comfort, and lifestyle for his entire life. While the physical symptoms are intense enough to cause even the most reserved unyielding discomfort, perhaps one of the most damaging results of Crohn’s are the emotional side-effects of the disease.

Imagine having to worry each and every time you are asked to go out to dinner. Business dinners and dates, which were once fun, are now made from nightmares. The threat of a sudden flare-up of Crohn’s Disease is enough to cause emotional shell-shock. Many afflicted change their mode of social functioning, sometimes preferring to remain isolated and withdrawn. It is not surprising then, that one of the most common medications prescribed to sufferers of Crohn’s Disease is antidepressants.

Antidepressants do nothing for the physical symptoms of Crohn’s. There are other medications and treatments that handle these devastating characteristics of the disease. However, due to the emotional roller coaster that accompanies Crohn’s, many of those suffering from the disease can spiral into deep depression. In addition to suffering emotionally, the stress brought upon by depression can further affect the severity of Crohn’s. It has been proven that being in a depressive state can weaken the immune system and leave the body open to a host of hostile invaders. The longer a state of depression lasts, the more difficult it is for the body to function effectively.

Besides taking antidepressants, Crohn’s sufferers can find relief through other avenues. Support groups for those afflicted with Crohn’s are no longer uncommon. In addition, consulting a mental health practitioner such as a psychiatrist or psychologist can sometimes help those with the disease to better adjust to living with it.

The reality of Crohn’s Disease is difficult for many to accept. There are many that are embarrassed and even ashamed. Instead of this attitude there is another way of looking at the problem. Yes, it is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured. However, with proper maintenance, treatment, and careful planning, most people can live normal lives with the disease. When you think of Crohn’s, do not simply associate it with physical symptoms only. The results of the disease can cause extreme emotional stress and this expands considerations beyond a medical diagnosis.

If you are currently suffering from Crohn’s Disease or know someone close to you who is, you should ensure that your emotional state as well as your physical needs are met. Get the advice of a mental health practitioner and deal with Crohn’s instead of hiding from the disease.

The term ‘medical billing’ refers to the process of submitting medical claims to medical insurance companies so that doctors or other healthcare providers can receive payment for services rendered. Additionally, medical billing consists of performing follow up checking of medical billing claims in order to determine the status of approval by insurance companies as well as status of payment.

Over the years medical billing has moved from paper records to electronic record keeping. This innovation has lowered the costs involved in processing medical claims and has also improved client care, as medical history and physician recommendations and treatment plans can be stored in a central location that may be accessed across an entire network. This type of fully integrated electronic solution is more commonly referred to as electronic medical record or EMR.

Increasingly, healthcare providers are considering the advantages presented by outsourcing many of their medical billing, medical claims processing and medical coding processes. These services are being outsourced to less expensive workforces such as those in India and parts of Europe. Also, many medical billing workers work from home. Employers that outsource their medical billing work benefit in a number of ways. Medical billing and claims processing can require a large workforce of people to perform data entry and more advanced medical billing duties. By outsourcing, these healthcare providers don’t have to pay for office space to house this large workforce.

An electronic medical record, or EMR, is a computer-based patient medical record. An EMR allows access of patient data by healthcare staff at any given location within a network of computers. This also means that clinical staff members can input patient care data that will be instantly accessible by anyone else within the data network. These fully integrated types of data management systems allow healthcare providers to easily schedule treatments and care plans that do not conflict with data entered by other members of a patient’s team of healthcare providers. This also tremendously cuts down on the risk of medical mistakes that happen when paper records aren’t updated, or even when sloppy handwriting makes implementation of physician directions difficult.

Before electronic medical billing systems, medical billing and claims processing was done nearly exclusively on paper. With the advent of computers it has become possible to efficiently manage large amounts of claims using electronic medical billing software. Many medical billing software companies provide medical billing software to this particularly lucrative segment of the market.

The medical billing field has been challenged in recent years due to the introduction of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Due to numerable restrictions put in place as a result of these new laws, many medical billing software companies and healthcare offices spent thousands, in some cases tens of thousands, of dollars on updated technology. Those affected by the HIPAA had to redesign and restructure their business processes and software to become compliant with this new act.

Over time there has also developed what is known as ‘straight through billing’. Straight through billing integrates the billing process within the practice management workflow, connecting patient scheduling, healthcare delivery, and medical records management. Every member of a practice’s management workflow receives an updated, unified and coherent picture of practice workload, patient and provider location, resource availability, and cash flow. Straight through billing requires integrated technologies for electronic medical records and straight through billing.

As the medical billing industry continues to evolve, these innovations assist the healthcare providers by lowering their costs of operation, but more importantly patients receive better, more timely and accurate care, thus improving the satisfaction and sense of wellbeing of many patients.

Medical billing in the United States is fraught with many challenges and problems. The primary goal of medical billing is to receive fair compensation for the work that was performed in a timely manner. However, this is rarely the case. This series will explain those challenges and suggest possible solutions to these problems.

Coding Errors

A large percentage of denied claims are due to simple coding errors. Insurance companies process claims through huge computer systems designed to make sure every piece of information is correct. It is in the insurance company’s best interest to deny a claim and force a resubmission for payment. This helps their cash flow and significantly impacts yours.

One study estimates that 90 percent of all claim denials are preventable. Healthcare Informatics website states that, “Of 15 billion U.S. healthcare claims, 25 percent to 40 percent are rejected or denied at some stages in the administrative process. Only half of those are followed up and resubmitted.” Newer medical billing systems can drastically help solve this type of problem.

Potential Solutions

Some electronic medical billing systems will now employ sophisticated Rules Engines that will check your claim before it is sent. Examples of some of the messages that you could see are:

• Diagnosis Code Requires Onset Date
• CPT: G0001 is invalid for the specified insurance company
• Procedure Requires Referring Physician UPIN

These types of checks and hundreds more, can ensure that the most common errors will be caught before a claim is sent to the insurance company for payment. Reducing the amount of denials helps your practice in two ways. First, cash flow is increased due to faster payments. Second, the time required to look at a denied claim, research the problem, correct it, and resubmit it can be 5 times as long as the original submission time.

To ensure a smooth running billing operation by reducing the number of coding errors, insist on a claim scrubbing rules engine in your practice management system. Bottom line, clean claims get paid faster.

Electronic billing is not that easy as you might think. But there is always a good training, practice and ways to efficiently maximize the use of electronic billing submission. There are many advantages why medical providers must submit claims by electronic. One is because the processing and reimbursement time is at least within 72 hours compared to a paper billing that may take up to 3 weeks. Electronic submission reduces errors and lost of claims by 98%. Transmission is fully encrypted and compliant with HIPAA rules and guidelines.

I would like to point out 10 Steps for Efficient Medical Electronic Billing Claims Submission:

1. Assuming you have the Medical Billing System in your office, next step is to sign up with a clearinghouse with a reasonable monthly flat fee regardless how many and how much claims you can submit and resubmit. Make sure you do not pay any other fees on top of the flat fee. The clearing house must be fully compliant with HIPAA. There are many available vendors out there. You can submit claims through web-based solution or through a modem directly you’re your computer. I will talk about this on the later part of this article.
2. Make sure you have all the list of payors’ number with the insurances you bill and participate with. This payor number will identify where your claims will go based on the patient’s insurance information. Your tax number should also be in your billing system
3. By entering your patient’s information. One information that you have to be careful is the patient’s insurance ID number. I strongly suggest to input the number as is without any other characters other than alphanumeric characters. In other words, avoid using an asterisk and dashes on this field.
4. Make sure you have obtained prior authorization or you have verified coverage for the patient for that date of service
5. Avoid using outdated ICD and CPT codes. Make sure your diagnosis codes (primary or secondary or tertiary) does not require a 5th digit.
6. Make sure you use proper modifiers. Nowadays, electronic billing systems are intelligent enough to pick up errors. Normally non-numeric modifiers are always in big letters
7. When you create the file, you have the option to preview all the claims. Before you submit this file electronically, make sure to check for missing information. Edit the claims for errors. Finally submit your file.
8. Generate reports after you submit the claims. Make sure all claims are said to be “accepted”. If you see reason code as “rejected”— immediately correct the claim, call the insurance and resubmit the claim. Always read all your electronic transmission receipts/reports!
9. Keep track of your claims. A medical billing software with a tracer tool is a very powerful system. As you can track your pending/waiting and unpaid claims. Persistent follow ups for previously denied and rejected claims is a must.
10. Last but not the least, generate a report to reconcile bills to appointments. This way you know which appointment dates was not billed and no superbills was generated.

If you want to eliminate all the above work plus the headache and aggravation for claims rejections, denied and underpayments, the best way is to outsource your billing needs to an experienced full service medical billing service company. This way, it also saves you all other administrative and manpower overhead expenses. Make sure you consider a company that specialize your area of specialty and who knows your business. Making this choice and the decision is very critical to your practice as this billing service becomes your backbone for revenues.