Impact of Regulatory Changes on Lab Billing and Coding
Lab billing and coding compliance focuses on monitoring and executing the appropriate clinical documentation of patient services. Compliance with regulatory changes ensures the billing and coding process upholds all applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
Failure to bill and code accurately may result in denied and rejected claims or strict penalties.
Leveraging Technology for Efficient Laboratory Revenue Cycle Management
Manual billing systems are no longer adequate to manage the complexities and demands of today’s laboratory business. Advanced laboratory RCM software tools, like our own RCM Clarity and Ai4AR, automate and streamline workflows while providing decision support and sophisticated information databases. Technology tools can instantly flag problems and identify missing or incorrect data.
Technology enables the RCM process to achieve a more agile system that is updated in real-time, optimizes the billing process, and ensures compliance for timely reimbursement.
Strategies for Adapting to Regulatory Changes
Compliance requires continuous adaptation, education, and dedication to maintain the highest standards of collections, processing, and patient care. Many strategies can help laboratories adapt to regulatory changes, including:
- Ensure data security and protect patient information – store patient information securely in electronic formats and implement the appropriate access controls, encryption, and storage systems.
- Maintain an efficient documentation system – use software and other technology tools to collect and store data for accurate documentation. Provide ongoing education to billing and coding staff and establish systems that prevent and detect potential fraud or abuse. Constantly review your documentation system to ensure it aligns with regulatory standards.
- Foster a culture of compliance – build and promote a work environment that upholds integrity, ethics, and compliance. Establish transparency and encourage communication regarding compliance issues while providing adequate training tools, resources, and ongoing training to support staff.
Benefits of Proactive Compliance with Regulatory Changes
Regulatory compliance strategies help laboratories meet specific goals, remain competitive, and increase revenue. Other benefits of being proactive with compliance include:
Utilizing Data Analytics for Improved Lab Revenue Cycle Management Performance
Laboratory RCM solutions include data analytics to identify trends and patterns in financial data. By analyzing data, you gain key insights into optimizing your revenue streams. For example, data analytics can help identify which services are most profitable. This allows you to focus on these areas while improving other services to maximize revenue.
Data analytics can also help you identify and improve inefficiencies in your billing and payment processes. By analyzing data on denied claims, you can identify common reasons for denied claims and develop strategies to prevent them in the future. This reduces the number of denied claims, optimizes revenue cycle management overall, and boosts your revenue.
Collaborating with Industry Experts and Regulatory Bodies for Effective Compliance
When you partner with industry experts, you have direct access to knowledge, training, and experience that strengthen your organization. Working with experts means having a team who know healthcare compliance inside and out, are aware of trends, and are up to date on changing regulations.
Collaborating with these experts and taking advantage of technology-driven laboratory RCM services are excellent ways to save time, resources, and money while improving the overall efficiency of your compliance processes.
Coronis Health Laboratory & Pathology has a team of former laboratory leaders and RCM experts with the experience and expertise to maintain compliance, navigate regulatory changes, and uncover hidden revenue streams for your lab. Our goal is to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase revenue for your lab. We leverage industry-leading technology and high-touch relationships that allow you to remain compliant while you focus on maintaining exceptional care with the best possible financial results.
If you’d like to learn more about how outsourcing laboratory billing can maximize reimbursements while helping you remain compliant, contact Coronis Health to request your complimentary financial checkup today.