- June 2, 2022
- Posted by: Stephanie Smith
- Categories: Credentialing, Revenue Cycle Management
The first stage of the revenue cycle is payer enrollment. This process can be time-consuming and complex, but it is essential for ensuring that patients can receive the care they need.
During payer enrollment, providers must submit accurate and complete information to insurance companies. This includes demographic information, provider credentials, and details about the services they provide. Once this information is submitted, insurance companies will review it and determine whether the provider is eligible to participate in their network. If the provider is approved, they will be assigned a contract that outlines the terms of their participation.
The primary form of insurance payment is the fee-for-service model. Providers are paid a set amount of money for each service they bill. These payments are based on the type of service, the duration of service, and the location of the service.
Typically, providers are paid in two ways. The first is the fee schedule, where they are reimbursed based on the type of service provided.
In addition to payer enrollment, providers must track insurance claims. This is the second stage of the revenue cycle. The process of tracking claims differs depending on the type of insurance. For example, if the provider accepts commercial insurance, they will submit their claims electronically directly to the payer using a software program. Insurance companies do not directly pay the provider. Instead, they will make a pre-payment to a clearinghouse.
The provider must then have their staff review the contract to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date. If there are any inconsistencies, the provider must contact the insurance company and work together to resolve them.
The second stage of the revenue cycle is payment. From the perspective of insurance companies, this is the most complex part of the revenue cycle. They must use all the information they have gathered during enrollment to determine how much they will pay the provider.
The next stage of the revenue cycle is coverage verification. During this stage, providers must show proof to patients that they are in-network for the insurance company that is issuing the claim. Patients will provide this information to providers when they visit the doctor.
The last stage of the revenue cycle is the actual claim submission. After the patient’s visit, providers will submit the claim to their insurance company.