AADOM PODcast – Mythbusting Outsourcing

Five years ago, I had a conversation that changed my entire perspective on outsourcing. It all started during a team training session with one of my clients. We were discussing the challenges of finding an experienced dental insurance and accounts receivable team member. That’s when my client mentioned that his colleague had outsourced their dental billing. He asked for my opinion, and without much thought, I blurted out that I didn’t think it was a good idea. How could an outsider possibly understand the inner workings of their office?

But then, fate intervened. Soon after, I had the opportunity to speak with another dentist who shared a different perspective. This particular doctor’s practice was located in a rural area, and he couldn’t find a trained dental biller anywhere. As a result, he decided to outsource his dental insurance billing. He said it was one of the best decisions he ever made! That conversation was a real eye-opener for me. It made me realize that my initial thoughts about outsourcing were unfounded. They were nothing but myths.

Common myths about outsourced dental billing

1. It’s too expensive.

One of the most common objections to outsourcing is the belief that it’s too expensive. It’s natural to feel more secure paying someone in-house a flat rate to handle insurance and patient billing. However, outsourcing can actually provide increased financial security. Most companies provide experienced dental billers who are compensated based only on results. Moreover, outsourcing frees the practice from the burden of handling payroll taxes and benefits, which are the responsibility of the third-party billing company. This allows solo and small group practices to benefit from the economies of scale that larger groups and DSOs enjoy. In fact, many DSOs find it more efficient and profitable to outsource billing as well, given the level of expertise required and the current staffing shortage.

2. There is no way to monitor what they do because they don’t work in our office.

Although this is a valid concern, the solution is simple: transparent reporting. Daily, weekly, and monthly reports can create a high level of transparency. These reports display information like the dollars billed, number of claims processed, and number of

claims followed up on. Through such reports, outsourcing can provide a higher level of accountability and transparency than when the billing is done in-house.

3. Our patients won’t like it, which will negatively impact the level of service we provide in our practice.

Actually, just the opposite is true. When dental billing and other revenue cycle management duties are outsourced, the administrative team can focus more on providing excellent service to patients. But that isn’t the only benefit. When dental billing is managed effectively, the patient’s benefit plan is maximized. In addition, the number of miscommunications are reduced. This results in higher patient retention and satisfaction levels, as well as fewer negative reviews.

4. It isn’t customizable.

On the contrary, outsourced dental billing can often be customized to meet the unique needs of a dental practice. Before beginning services, reputable dental billing companies work with the practice to establish mutual protocols. This ensures that the office’s goals are met.

It’s no secret that running a successful dental practice requires a large bandwidth. Outsourcing is one solution that promises to free up your time, improve your practice’s profitability, and boost your top-line revenue. By outsourcing your dental billing department, you can expand your capacity to grow your practice – and raise the bar on patient care and communication. Curious to learn more about outsourcing services?

Click here to request a complimentary ebook that outlines 6 reasons to consider outsourcing your dental billing.

You can also click here to schedule a free consultation with eAssist Dental Solutions.